The Pentagon Federal Credit Union (PenFed) donated $25,000 to the Northern Virginia Technology Council Foundation in support of the NVTC Veterans Employment Initiative. PenFed’s charitable contribution will help NVTC’s efforts to connect veterans with careers in the region’s technology community.

 

Employment of veterans is an urgent national issue. In addition to the current estimate of 750,000 unemployed veterans, an additional million service members will enter the job market over the next five years. Virginia is one of only three states projected to increase its population of working-age veterans. Despite this growing pool of human capital, local technology employers say that finding qualified workers is a key, long-term business challenge. Pairing skilled veterans with technology companies in need of their experience is an important endeavor.

 

The Veterans Employment Initiative, first launched by NVTC in August 2013, is designed to accelerate veterans’ transition to civilian life by providing greater employment opportunities in Virginia. The program matches veterans with jobs, internships, mentorships, and certifications while providing support to NVTC member companies as they recruit, hire, train, and retain qualified veteran employees. NVTC is also working with the region’s colleges and universities to address the skills gap faced by many veterans as they leave military service.

 

NVTC seeks to match veteran training and certification to the workforce needs of Virginia’s technology sector, and to facilitate internships and onthe- job training opportunities within the region’s technology business community. NVTC is also collaborating with state and federal policymakers to expedite legislative and regulatory action that enhances a company’s ability to recruit, hire, train, and retain veterans. Visit foundation.nvtc.org for more information.