Military to Manufacturing: Forum Event to Encourage Hiring Veterans

WASHINGTON, D.C., 12/07/17 –

On Thursday, December 7, The Manufacturing Institute, in partnership with Arconic Foundation, Sealed Air Corporation, and BDO, will bring Military to Manufacturing, a nationwide forum and talent recruitment effort, to Charlotte. The effort takes aim at America’s manufacturing talent shortage by working to attract, hire and retain veterans for careers in North Carolina manufacturing. The forum will equip manufacturers in North Carolina with best practices to deepen their partnerships with local military bases and educational institutes serving veterans.

More than 80 percent of manufacturers report a talent shortage. Meanwhile, thousands of servicemen and women return home each month, possessing not only sound leadership, strong character and an exemplary work ethic, but also rigorous technical training and experience. Over the next decade, it is estimated that manufacturers will be unable to fill 2 million open positions due to the skilled labor gap. Military veterans have the skills and leadership training that manufacturers need in their workforce.

“Events like Military to Manufacturing expose companies to resources available right in their backyards on hiring and retaining veterans,” said Manufacturing Institute Executive Director Carolyn Lee. “Veterans possess the skills manufacturers need and therefore reduce training expenses and enhance job productivity. It’s a win–win to hire veterans and build the manufacturing talent pipeline.”

“Arconic and Arconic Foundation are committed to supporting veterans in pursuit of manufacturing careers,” said Suzanne van de Raadt, Vice President, Global Communications and Program Development, Arconic Foundation. “Today’s manufacturing industry offers careers in which veterans can and do succeed, and their military experience and background translates to key skills manufacturers need.”

“Sealed Air is committed to supporting our military veterans to ensure a smooth transition into civilian life,” said Jim Whaley, Sealed Air VP, Global Corporate Communications, Government Affairs and Sustainability. “We believe key partnerships advance solutions to ‘create a better way for life’ and proudly support the National Association of Manufacturers and The Manufacturing Institute.”

“The demands of Industry 4.0 are driving a fundamental change in the makeup of the manufacturing workforce—one that’s creating a widening skills gap that military veterans can help fill,” said Rick Schreiber, Partner and National Leader of the Manufacturing & Distribution practice at BDO USA. “BDO is dedicated to supporting veteran employment in the private sector and helping our manufacturing clients find and grow the talent they need to be successful in this new era of digitization.”

“Siemens’ commitment to hiring and integrating veterans into our workforce has never been stronger, and events like Military to Manufacturing help us ensure former service members remain a key pillar of our success,” said Kevin Poet, Director of Operations for Siemens Charlotte Energy Hub. “Our veteran-employees are invaluable to Siemens, leveraging the high-tech skills, strong technical background, mission-driven work ethic, and proven leadership experience they gained in the military to help Siemens strengthen U.S. manufacturing and lead the digital economy.”

The Military to Manufacturing event will take place from 8 – 11 a.m. at Sealed Air Corporation.

-About the MI-

The Manufacturing Institute is the social impact arm of the National Association of Manufacturers. We drive programs and research to promote modern manufacturing and jumpstart new approaches to growing manufacturing talent. For more information, please visit www.themanufacturinginstitute.org.

The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs more than 12 million men and women, contributes $2.25 trillion to the U.S. economy annually, has the largest economic impact of any major sector and accounts for more than three-quarters of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the Manufacturers or to follow us on Shopfloor, Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

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