Microsoft has new initiative for veterans

For those of you who are veterans, especially disabled veterans, Microsoft has announced a new program to help veterans return to the workplace. The program is called the Elevate America Veterans Initiative. It will focus on providing veterans and their spouses the skills in technology as well as the resources necessary to reenter the civilian workplace. Microsoft is asking other companies to participate by making proposals for their participation.
Through a competitive request for proposal (RFP) process, Microsoft will award cash, software and IT skills training curriculum to eligible veterans service organizations, work-force agencies, as well as other nonprofit organizations and their partners that are providing veterans and their spouses with the support they need to be successful in their transition to civilian careers. Support provided by these organizations may include technology skills training, job placement, career counseling and other support services such as childcare, transportation and housing. Organizations have until June 30, 2010, to apply to this initiative and successful applicants will be announced in August.
Microsoft will provide $2 million in cash and up to $6 million in software and other resources over the next two years to provide veterans and their spouses with necessary skills and resources to reenter the job market.
“Successful applications will include collaborative partnerships between two or more organizations in the nonprofit, work-force development, labor and education sectors. Applicants may request between $100,000 to $200,000 cash, not to exceed 50 percent of the total program budget, as well as software and IT skills training curriculum. The RFP and more information are available atwww.microsoft.com/veterans.”
“With the unemployment rate for Iraq and Afghanistan-era veterans teetering on 15 percent, this initiative could not be coming at a more critical time,” said IAVA Founder and Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff. “IAVA continues to be excited about this initiative and the potential for it to impact thousands of veterans nationwide. We are thrilled to be a part of this coalition and working with Microsoft on such a critical issue.”
“Wounded Warrior Project believes it is our duty to empower wounded service members with the tools they need to embark on a path toward a successful and meaningful career,” said WWP Executive Director Steve Nardizzi. “We commend Microsoft for creating Elevate America and for shouldering responsibility for the training and transition of our wounded warriors into the civilian work force.”
For those organizations not already participating with Microsoft in this initiative, now is the time to join in to support or veterans and provide training and tools with this program.