The Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University announced its strategic goal highlighting signature program, Onward to Opportunity-Veterans Career Transition Program.
The Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University will place 30,000 veterans, transitioning service members and military spouses into desirable jobs by 2022 through its Onward to Opportunity-Veterans Career Transition Program (O2O-VCTP). With nearly 20,000 graduates and current participants since its inception, O2O-VCTP eases the transition experience by training transitioning service members before they move out of the military. The no-cost program provides career preparation in over 30 in-demand career tracks and, upon program completion, connects them directly with its 500 plus employer partners including Lockheed Martin, First Data, USAA, Amazon, Accenture, and many more high-end companies.
The goal was announced at the first-ever national O2O-VCTP In Progress Review (IPR) on September 26 at Accenture Digital Studios in Washington D.C. with many corporate partners, government agencies, supporters, and team members in attendance. Key areas presented included annual metrics outlining the success to date of the program, participant demographics and successful profiles, the business case for hiring these graduates, and strategic goals moving forward – including the employing of 30,000 graduates by 2022.
O2O-VCTP began in October 2015 at Joint Base Lewis McChord, Washington, and Camp Pendleton, California. Since then, the program, which is offered at 14 military installations across the nation as well as a virtual component online, will be to additional locations through 2018. The program also celebrated its 1000th on site graduate recently. In total, the O2O-VCTP program has reached nearly 20,000 program participants to date.
One of the key facts mentioned at the IPR included nearly 6 out of 10 individuals are hired through the over 500 employer partners, with the help from its operational partner Hire Heroes USA. A few employer partners in attendance were adamant about wanting even more hired within their companies, including CACI International.
The IVMF also announced its most recent publication: The O2O-VCTP Transparency Report. In this book, the public is able to view the program in its entirety and expanding on its evolvement over the years. You can download the transparency report here. A recording of the IPR meeting is available here.
O2O-VCTP is made possible with funding from the Schultz Family Foundation, and IVMF founding partner, JPMorgan Chase & Co., and its many supporting partners including the Department of Defense, Accenture, USAA, and many more. Learn more about the program.
About the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University
The Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) is the first interdisciplinary national institute in higher education focused on the social, economic, education, and policy issues impacting veterans and their families. Through its professional staff and experts, the IVMF delivers leading programs in career, vocational, and entrepreneurship education and training, while also conducting actionable research, policy analysis, and program evaluations. The IVMF also supports communities through collective impact efforts that enhance delivery and access to services and care. The Institute, supported by a distinguished advisory board, along with public and private partners, is committed to advancing the lives of those who have served in America’s armed forces and their families. For more information, visit IVMF and follow the IVMF on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About Onward to Opportunity-VCTP
Onward to Opportunity-VCTP is a cost-free (with no use of GI Bill benefits) industry-focused career skills program that connects transitioning service members, active duty military spouses, and members of the National Guard and Reserve to high-demand careers in customer service and information technology. Delivered by the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University and supported by the Schultz Family Foundation and JPMorgan Chase & Co., O2O-VCTP partners with leading veteran service organizations and private sector companies to connect transitioning service members, military spouses and veterans with meaningful employment opportunities at companies across the country. For more information, visit Onward to Opportunity-VCTP and follow O2O-VCTP on Facebook and Twitter.
Contact:
Stephanie Salanger, Institute for Veterans and Military Families, ssalange@syr.edu, 315-443-5690