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Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: (202) 219-5573
Armed forces personnel leaving the military and other veterans may be
fast-tracked into career building jobs in the information technology (IT)
industry through a comprehensive package of skills assessment , technical
training, financial assistance, and placement services, thanks to a cooperative
initiative between the U.S. Department of Labor, Microsoft Corporation, and
several other supporting organizations.
The Microsoft Skills 2000 Military Career IT Initiative is aimed at
helping service members move into the 346,000 jobs currently open in the IT
industry. Piloted at four Transition Assistance Program (TAP) workshops
conducted by the department's Veterans' Employment and Training Service,
information about the program will soon be available in workshops at all 175
TAP sites in the U.S. Many military personnel gain IT expertise during their
time in the service and these skills are often easily transferable to civilian
jobs.
"I am so pleased that we are making it easier for men and women to get
the high tech skills they need to successfully move from the military to
civilian jobs," said Labor Secretary Alexis M. Herman. "Our veterans have
proven their dedication and competency. We must now do all that we can to
ensure they are successful after serving their country."
As part of the initiative, transitioning service members, their spouses
and dependents, as well as other veterans and retirees, will receive a simple
skills assessment test to help determine career paths and if additional
training is needed; information about technical training offered at more than
1,000 Authorized Academic Training Program sites or 1,200 Certified Technical
Education Centers; assistance with obtaining low interest loans or applying
their G.I. Bill toward training expenses; and placement services by national
agencies to assist them in finding jobs in the IT industry.
More information on the program can be found at the Microsoft Military
Skills 2000 web site at www.microsoft.com/skills2000/military/. VETS
conducts more than 3,000 TAP workshops annually. Last year, more than 130,000
service members attended.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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