America’s veterans face a challenging road when transitioning to civilian life.
Now one company has stepped forward with a solution.
And Aerotek made one powerful move that’s giving military veterans the career boost they need.
Aerotek partners with Heroes MAKE America to support military community
Military service members sacrifice years of their lives to defend our freedom, but too often they struggle to find meaningful careers when they return to civilian life.
Aerotek, a leading provider of workplace solutions, announced Tuesday a groundbreaking partnership with the Manufacturing Institute’s Heroes MAKE America initiative that could change this reality for thousands of veterans.
The partnership, which began in late 2024, focuses on creating manufacturing career opportunities for transitioning service members, veterans, National Guard members, reservists, and their families.
Heroes MAKE America has been offering certification and career-readiness training since 2018, working with community colleges to provide essential skills and certifications for manufacturing careers.
Now with Aerotek’s involvement, the program is poised to reach even more military-connected individuals.
“We are thrilled to partner with the Manufacturing Institute’s Heroes MAKE America initiative to support the military-connected population,” said David “DJ” Jordan, director of diversity, equity and inclusion and corporate social responsibility at Aerotek.
According to Jordan, Aerotek wants to help our military heroes find good jobs that put their hard-earned skills to work.
Factory jobs going unfilled while vets struggle to find work
Talk about perfect timing. Right now, American factories can’t find enough skilled workers to keep production lines moving. A fresh 2024 study shows manufacturers will need a whopping 3.8 million new workers over the next decade. Nearly half those positions – about 1.9 million jobs – might sit empty if something doesn’t change soon.
Meanwhile, many veterans possess the discipline, technical training, and leadership experience that manufacturing employers desperately need.
The Heroes MAKE America initiative has already proven successful at bridging this gap, with program graduates working at manufacturing companies across the country. Aerotek’s involvement is expected to significantly expand these opportunities.
Amy Thomas, national director of Heroes MAKE America, highlighted the importance of the partnership: “Aerotek’s support enhances our ability to help more service members and their families translate their military experience into successful civilian careers. Together, we’re creating a pipeline of skilled talent while supporting those who’ve served our country.”
Connecting veterans with stable, well-paying manufacturing careers
Manufacturing jobs offer stability, competitive wages, and opportunities for advancement that can be particularly appealing to veterans transitioning to civilian life.
Aerotek, with over 250 offices across North America and relationships with more than 14,000 clients each year, brings substantial resources and connections to the partnership.
The company’s extensive network will help place qualified veterans with manufacturing employers, creating a win-win situation for both veterans seeking meaningful employment and companies in need of skilled workers.
The manufacturing industry has historically been a strong supporter of veterans. Many manufacturing processes and workplace environments align well with military experience, making it a natural fit for those leaving service.
This new partnership demonstrates a commitment to not just hiring veterans as a patriotic gesture, but recognizing and utilizing their valuable skills and experiences in an industry that desperately needs qualified workers.
Through this initiative, veterans gain not just employment, but career pathways with advancement opportunities that can provide long-term stability for themselves and their families.
The partnership between Aerotek and Heroes MAKE America represents an important step forward in supporting America’s veterans while strengthening the domestic manufacturing workforce that is essential to our economy.
