Tag Archives: veterans business accelerator

Military Vets Transition to Life Back Home with Help of Corporate Initiatives

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A recent franchise industry study conducted by the International Franchise Association shows that 1 out of 7 businesses in the franchise industry are currently veteran-owned. This statistic offers positive feedback as opposed to the 2012 statistic that 9.9% of Iraq veterans were at the time unemployed. Since then, many large manufacturing companies have begun offering veteran incentives and outreach programs to help transition recent vets back into a job that matches the skills they learned in the military. Alcoa, Boeing, and General Electric all offer veteran initiatives, and have joined forces to employ over 15,000 military vets. All three have implemented programs to help vets transition from life oversees into a manufacturing career here in the States.

“We believe this initiative could have a major impact on the hiring of veterans nationwide,” Says Rick Stephens, a Boeing senior vice president. “It’s a proven approach for matching the skills of those who have served our country to the hiring needs of American businesses.” Their program, known as ‘Get Skills to Work,’ is comprised of three major concepts. It offers accelerated skills training for vets whose military experience does not immediately translate to their work in a manufacturing career. The program also aids in matching the right vet to where his existing skill set might be most effective, while also taking into account his or her personality traits and work habits, to find the best employment match. Finally, the program raises awareness to current employers wanting to hire veterans, and helps them find the best match for what they’re looking for in a future employee.

“Veterans offer the technical, leadership and critical thinking skills that advanced manufacturing demands,” said Paula Davis, president of the Alcoa Foundation. “Forming the Get Skills to Work coalition and coordinating with nonprofits to train, recruit and develop veterans is an exciting model that has the potential to change lives.”

Through the Manufacturing Institute’s Right Skills Now program, training sites for veterans will open across the U.S. in 2013. We can only expect that similar programs will continue to appear as more and more veterans begin to return home and begin life in the US workforce.

Edible Arrangements Begins Veterans Recruitment, Support Program

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franchises for veterans

Best known for it’s show-stopping arrangements of fresh and chocolate covered fruit, Edible Arrangements recently showed that its ability to wow the crowds goes beyond the sweet stuff.

 

Recently, Tariq Farid, Edible Arrangements chief executive officer, made a sizable contribution of $125,000 to the International Franchise Association’s VetFran program. Farid’s contribution is part of Edible Arrangements new “Hero’s Welcome” initiative, which aims to create franchise and employment opportunities for military veterans.

 

In addition to the $125,000 donation, Edible Arrangements plans to offer specialized training, a franchise fee discount and mentorship opportunities (by military veterans who already own Edible Arrangements) to military veterans who choose to become Edible Arrangements franchisees. The franchise has also set an additional goal of employing at least 1,000 veterans throughout its locations nationwide.

 

Aside from its “Hero’s Welcome” initiative, Edible Arrangements’ CEO is also actively involved in the IFA’s Veterans Business Accelerator program. Established by the Department of Veteran Affairs, the Veterans Business Accelerator program provides free courses and resources for all veterans interested in entrepreneurship, franchising or otherwise. The program also provides financial support to wounded warriors while completing coursework.

 

Of course, those military veterans who do become Edible Arrangements franchisees will join one of the franchise industry’s most successful concepts to date. Edible Arrangements has been ranked in Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500 every year since 2009; been named one of the “Fastest-Growing” franchises for four years; and listed as one of “America’s Top Global” franchises for four years, all by Entrepreneur magazine.