By Vicki Salemi

Dear Readers >> As we honor our brave military heroes who sacrificed their lives to defend freedom, I am also thinking of those veterans still with us and the resources/support available to them as they transition to launch their civilian careers.

First, it’s important to note that their military soft skills are valuable to employers. Companies covet skills that are also quintessentially core military skills, such as discipline, teamwork and problem-solving. Those skills are 100% transferable into civilian paths — it’s a matter of highlighting them on your resume with specific examples to illustrate each one.

Ben Porter, director of veteran training and employment partnerships at General Assembly, said, “From there, upskilling becomes about building a bridge between their military experience and in-demand civilian roles…Veterans should seek out hands-on, project-based learning experiences that provide both the technical skills and the real-world context they need to be competitive. It’s also critical to prioritize programs that offer career coaching, mentorship, and employer connections — because upskilling isn’t just about learning; it’s about launching a career.”

According to Porter, the most in-demand and future-proof skills are cybersecurity, data analytics, software engineering, and artificial intelligence.

Veterans can research the GI Bill benefits to pay for college, graduate school and other educational programs for a variety of expenses; requirements vary for eligibility. It’s my understanding they’re dependent on a few factors, such as your service status and the program you choose, so as you explore this path, there are also others. For instance, General Assembly offers Project Forge, a tuition-free training in cybersecurity and data analytics for veterans and their spouses, mentorship, and a pathway to employment.

Community is key as well. To get the most out of training programs, look for networks full of mentors, instructors and veterans.

Veterans must apply online to be accepted into a program at NPower, a national nonprofit that provides free tech training and career development for veterans, transitioning military members, and young adults. Once accepted, veterans have access to standard courses such as Tech Fundamentals, Networking and Systems Administration and more. The education goes beyond course completion into industry-wide recognition. For instance, for the Tech Fundamentals program, students can secure certifications in Tech+, a Google IT Support certificate, and an IT Generalist Apprenticeship.

After successful completion of their program, veterans can tap into NPower’s job placement support.

Above all, by tapping into education plus support and a community, it’s not about a total reboot; rather, it’s a reframe. Porter said, “Veterans don’t need to ‘start over’— they need to reframe. Their leadership, systems thinking and mission readiness are already valuable. The right training program doesn’t replace their experience — it unlocks it.”

Tribune News Service