Veteran unemployment is a big talking point in the USA, especially following the troop reduction in Afghanistan last year. Kate Jordan looks at how the IT industry can help these returning soldiers gain employment.

The IT industry in the United States is developing at an unprecedented rate. As the industry expands, the demand for skilled, experienced labour is also increasing – but many companies are struggling to find good staff. At the same time, many soldiers are returning from overseas service, searching for jobs.

The solution seems obvious – and USTechVets.org makes it possible.

USTechVets.org is an online resource and community that connects veterans to jobs in the American technology sector. The seeds for website originated in August 2013, when the Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC) launched www.novatechvets.org, which sought to connect veterans and employers in the local area. The success of this website was soon apparent and NVTC partnered with CEA Technologies (a long time collaborator) and nine other technology associations (including CEDIA) to launch www.ustechvets.org. Monster.com, the parent organisation to Military.com created the robust and user friendly platform.

From Virginia, the next region to develop the program was New England. The NVTC is now developing similar programs in California, Washington State and Texas.

The program is much more than just a website.

“While USTechVets.org offers the largest and most robust repository of veteran resumes anywhere in the world, the true value of US Tech Vets is in sharing best practices related to high tech methods of serving our veterans,” says NVTC manager of veterans employment and strategic initiatives Rick Ferry.

One of these methods is helping military personnel take skills they have gained in the services and transfer them into the civilian job market.

“Serving in the military demands a service member develops a very broad skill set. This makes them very adaptable, but it can also make it difficult to pinpoint a specific skill set. It can also be difficult to communicate that skill set in terms the civilian market understands,” Rick explains.

USTechVet.org therefore has tools such as the Military Skills Translator. Veterans can enter their service and military job title and the website will provide a list of skills that may have been acquired in that position. For example, an Aerial Delivery and Materiels Officer in the army can select from skills such as cargo handling, inventory management and distribution, logistics support, project management or transport planning. They can then search the current US Tech Vet openings or incorporate these skills into their CV.

In addition to online tools, the program offers real life training and networking.

“The NVTC has developed a nationally-recognised regional approach that engages the entire ecosystem in service and support of our transitioning military members and veterans, from resume review and mentoring to networking and career development,” Rick says. “VETWORKING is another example of how NVTC is helping veterans transition to civilian life. After nearly a year of development, this program is nearly ‘turn key’ and will be NVTC’s ‘gift’ to other partners who wish to serve veterans.”

Rick feels that veterans have a lot to offer the ever-growing American tech industry.

“Returned service personnel are highly trainable, dedicated team members who bring a broad skill set to the table,” Rick says. “Last year at a conference on workforce development, leaders there acknowledged that ‘soft-skills’ (communications, dependability, integrity, commitment, etc.) are leading concerns employers face and they are in short supply in the current ‘entitled’ generation.”

By working with a regional approach that can be applied in any of the States, US Tech Vets can adapt to local situations and hopefully make a real difference in the lives of returned servicemen and servicewomen.  

It would be interesting to see such a program implemented here in Australia. As in the US, we have soldiers returning from overseas service and some have difficulty returning to civilian life. Homelessness NSW and Homeground Services estimate that one in ten of Australia’s homeless population is a returned soldier and there are ongoing problems with veterans and mental health. A program like US Tech Vets could contribute well to the emotional support framework that is currently in place.