In an effort to help veterans transition to the civilian workforce, Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. is sponsoring active duty Army soldiers for a four-week internship program. The initiative is part of the Georgia Institute of Technology’s Veterans Education Training and Transition (VET²) program, the first of its kind in the nation.

“Gulfstream is pleased to be the first corporate sponsor for Georgia Tech’s VET² active duty military internship program,” said Don Moore, military outreach manager, Gulfstream. “As a Military Friendly Employer®, Gulfstream appreciates the sought-after characteristics veterans bring to the civilian workforce, including ‘can do’ attitudes, global perspectives, punctuality, the ability to remain calm under pressure and proven leadership skills.”

The VET² program is a fully-funded program and there are no costs for service members. The program ties professional education with job experience by partnering active, transitioning and recently separated service members with an employer to receive classroom and online instruction. After completing a first week of academic training, veterans have the opportunity to demonstrate their skills in a three-week placement opportunity with an employer. At the end of the course, participants will not only earn a professional certificate from a world-renowned academic institution, but will also be well positioned for landing a civilian job.

“Veterans face a higher unemployment rate for a number of reasons, including a lack of civilian work experience and challenges transitioning to a new organization with a very different language and culture,” said James Wilburn, military academic program director for Georgia Tech Professional Education. “That’s precisely why we started a program for veterans 16 months ago to translate military values into a successful civilian career. I am very excited that we are now able to offer the program to active duty service members in their transition window.”

Over the next three years, as many as 60,000 military members are expected to return to Georgia. Already, 770,000 veterans call Georgia home; in fact, the Peach State is home to the fourth largest population of veterans nationwide. In addition to those returning to Georgia, more than 10,000 service members will be transitioning from the state’s army installations, 4,000 from Ft. Stewart alone. 

“On a basic level, the goal of VET² is to help veterans find good jobs after leaving the military,” Wilburn said. “Georgia Tech has been providing experiential learning opportunities to students for 100 years and Gulfstream creates and delivers the world’s finest aviation experience, so it only makes sense to bring those unique benefits to the service member.”

For more information about becoming a corporate sponsor for a veteran internship or to apply for the VET² program, contact James Wilburn (912-966-7951 or [email protected]) or visit www.gtpe.gatech.edu/VETT.