New Partnership with Microsoft to reduce unemployment among veterans

Department of Labor

Department of LaborSecretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis to host Nov. 9 press call on partnership with Microsoft to reduce unemployment among veterans

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis will host a press call today with Curt Kolcun, vice president, Microsoft Corp.’s U.S. Public Sector, to announce a new partnership to provide veterans with e-learning resources and recognized information technology industry certifications.

UPDATE: from the press conference

“In today’s competitive, high-tech economy, specialized training is often a prerequisite for employment,” said Secretary Hilda L. Solis. “The program announced today will help our returning heroes gain access to the training and certifications they need to land good jobs in growing industries.”

Each area will receive 1,000 vouchers per year for two years, totaling 10,000 vouchers. Microsoft will provide in-person support to ensure that the recipients succeed in the training and certifications. Additionally, the local workforce systems will help connect the veterans and their spouses with potential employers in their areas.

“Veterans have served our country bravely, have superb military training, and have developed valuable leadership, management and diplomatic skills,” said Brad Smith, Microsoft’s general counsel and executive vice president. “We hope that by providing additional access to training and other employment resources, we will help close the opportunity divide for more of our servicemen and women, as well as their spouses, who have also made great sacrifices.”

The announcement follows the launch of a number of new tools geared toward helping post-9/11 era veterans, including the Veterans Gold Card, the “My Next Move for Veterans” website and the National Resource Directory’s Veterans Job Bank. Additional information about these initiatives, including specific locations where the vouchers will be distributed, is available at http://www.dol.gov/vets

 


The initial program will serve five communities with the highest number of returning veterans from the post-9/11 era including Seattle-King County, Wash.; San Diego, Calif.; Houston, Texas; Northern Virginia; and Jacksonville, Fla.

 

WHO:          Hilda L. Solis, secretary of labor                       

Curt Kolcun, U.S. Public Sector vice president, Microsoft Corp.                       

WHAT:        Press call on partnership to reduce unemployment among veterans 

HOW:          Dial-in number: 888-769-8516                       

Passcode: 4654 

WHEN:         Wednesday, Nov. 92:15–2:45 p.m. EST 

Press planning to participate in the call are encouraged to notify David Roberts in the Labor Department’s Office of Public Affairs at Roberts.david@dol.gov