by
Myron Gray | UPS
Despite recent job growth across our nation, military veterans
still face unique challenges as they enter the workforce. Nine
percent of veterans who joined the armed forces since 2001, but
have now returned to civilian life, are still unemployed. One of
every two veterans who has transitioned from the military in the
last 5 years is unemployed.
These statistics should tell anyone in business one thing:
Despite the success many companies have had in hiring veterans, we
still have a lot of work to do to make things right.
In his State of the Union address on January 20, President Obama
agreed, encouraging businesses to embrace the example of companies
like UPS when it comes to hiring veterans.
"Tonight, I'm also asking more businesses to follow the lead of
companies like CVS and UPS, and offer more educational benefits and
paid apprenticeships -- opportunities that give workers the chance
to earn higher-paying jobs even if they don't have a higher
education," the president said.
The president also mentioned the Joining Forces Initiative, a
program UPS is supporting through its commitment to hiring more
than 50,000 veterans by 2018. UPS also committed to serve
more than 50,000 employee volunteer hours helping veterans and
Veterans Service Organizations.
"Joining Forces, the national campaign launched by Michelle and
Jill Biden, has helped nearly 700,000 veterans and military spouses
get new jobs," the president said. "So to every CEO in America, let
me repeat: If you want somebody who's going to get the job done,
hire a veteran."
From our experience, hiring a veteran starts by committing to a
better understanding - and appreciation - for the skills veterans
offer.
Integral Part
UPS employs more than 24,000 veterans and they represent 7.5
percent of our workforce in the United States. Veterans are sorting
packages in our hubs. They're driving our package cars. They're
flying our fleet of aircraft. They're contributing to our success
in every corner of our business.
We're proud of our track record when it comes to hiring
veterans. But we don't think it's enough simply to hire a veteran.
If that's all a company is doing, it's doing a disservice to the
veteran and its business.
For most of our positions these days, we're looking for
leadership, technical expertise, grace under pressure, a
mission-oriented mindset, diverse points of view and
problem-solving abilities. We find those skills and values in the
DNA of veterans.
Once we find those veterans, we want them to use their skills to
adapt to the corporate world. But businesses can take a few
pointers in helping them assimilate into a new culture that is
different from military life.
A piece of paper shouldn't be a deal breaker.
Most hiring managers haven't walked in a veteran's boots. And
they may not understand how a veteran's skills apply to the
business world. So when anyone in business talks about
understanding culture, they should know that's a two-way street. We
need to understand a veteran's culture as much as they need to
understand ours.
As the military draws down troop levels in the coming years,
hundreds of thousands of veterans will need a job. More than that,
they'll need a place to start a career.
The men and women who have served in the Army, Navy, Air Force,
Coast Guard and Marine Corps have done their part. Now it's our
turn to step up and make an investment in their futures - and in
ours.
Welcome Home
UPS recently doubled its commitment to hiring and volunteer
service to veterans as part of the "Joining Forces" initiative. Our
hiring commitment now stands at 50,000 veterans and our service
commitment at 50,000 employee volunteer hours by the end of
2018.
We're well on our way. But I encourage people to look past the
numbers. Because this is about more than numbers - it's about an
investment in the future of a special group of people.
Veterans deserve an opportunity to pursue their goals and
contribute as much as their potential allows. That means more than
a job - that means a career. A career starts with a job, but it
grows with new opportunities. It's made more challenging with added
responsibility; it's made more fulfilling when goals are reached
and recognized.
At every point in our history, veterans have returned home from
war to lead and accomplish great things. Business just needs to
give them a place to start. And a place to grow.
Myron Gray is president of U.S. operations for
UPS. He is responsible for all package delivery and logistics
services for UPS in the world's largest economy.
Reprinted with permission of
Longitudes, the UPS blog devoted to the
trends shaping the global economy.
EDITORS: We welcome the re-use, republication, and
distribution of this commentary - just as long as you credit us. If
you publish, please insert the tagline - with the embedded
hyperlink to our site: Reprinted with
permission of Longitudes, the UPS
blog devoted to the trends shaping the global economy.
CONTACT: Dean Foust
UPS Public Relations
dfoust@ups.com
404-828-7123
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