COLUMBUS, Ohio, Jan. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- American Electric
Power (NYSE: AEP) has joined the U.S. Army Partnership for Youth
Success (PaYS), a program designed to accelerate the transition of
veterans to careers in the private sector. AEP announced its
participation in the program during a signing ceremony today
attended by employees; AEP Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer Nicholas K. Akins; Columbus
Recruiting Battalion Commander, Lt. Col. Clydellia S. Prichard-Allen; U.S. Reps.
Steve Stivers and Joyce Beatty; and Ohio Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor.
Through the PaYS program, active and reserve service men and
women in the Army and Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC)
are matched with civilian job opportunities that require the skills
acquired during their military service. Soldiers who qualify with a
skills match are guaranteed an interview for the job by
participating companies.
"Nearly 11 percent of our 17,600 employees are military
veterans. Their service to our country equips them with the skills
to be great employees who are self-motivated, battle-tested and
safety conscious. We value the sacrifices that veterans make to
serve our country, and one of the best ways we can honor them is by
helping them transition to rewarding careers in the energy
industry," Akins said.
To support the 1,873 military veterans who already work at AEP,
the company sponsors an employee resource group that provides
networking, development and support for military veterans. AEP also
provides paid leave for employees in the Reserves or National Guard
who are ordered to active duty in emergency situations.
AEP was one of six energy companies to develop the Troops to
Energy Jobs initiative to provide veterans with a career roadmap
for jobs in the energy industry. The company also is a member of
the Veteran Jobs Mission, a coalition of more than 230 companies
committed to hiring military veterans.
American Electric Power is one of the largest electric utilities
in the United States, delivering
electricity and custom energy solutions to nearly 5.4 million
customers in 11 states. AEP owns the nation's largest electricity
transmission system, a more than 40,000-mile network that includes
more 765-kilovolt extra-high voltage transmission lines than all
other U.S. transmission systems combined. AEP also operates 224,000
miles of distribution lines. AEP ranks among the nation's largest
generators of electricity, owning approximately 31,000 megawatts of
generating capacity in the U.S. AEP also supplies 3,200 megawatts
of renewable energy to customers. AEP's utility units operate as
AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West
Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky
Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power
Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana and east Texas). AEP's headquarters are in Columbus, Ohio.
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SOURCE American Electric Power