President Barack Obama has made providing job opportunities to veterans a priority, and on Friday he announced a trio of new programs aimed at helping thousands of servicemembers. As part of the We Can't Wait initiative, the programs will provide vets with the credentials necessary to work in the manufacturing industry, Military Times reports.
The cornerstone of the program is a partnership between the Armed Forces and the Manufacturing Skills Standards Council, which will offer training to soldiers separating from service. The training will be at no cost to troops and may go a long way in helping lower veteran unemployment rates. The program may be especially helpful for soldiers looking to apply the skills they learned in the military to a civilian trade.
While the manufacturing initiative is receiving a lot of the attention, it is not the only facet of Obama's plan. According to the publication, the White House is also expected to announce a partnership between the American Welding Society and National Institute for Metalworking Skills as well as a joint venture between the Army and Society of Manufacturing Engineers. All told, the programs may help around 130,000 soldiers.
The announcement comes months after Obama signed the Vow to Hire Heroes Act, which offers tax incentives to companies that hire veterans.