Ga. Tech program looks to help integrate vets into workforce
Coastal Courier: Panel discussion slated for Sept. 14 in Savannah
Several Savannah business and military leaders – including Col. Jason Wolter, Garrison Commander of Fort Stewart; Mike Tucker, director of Coastal Workforce Board; Brad Patterson, HR manager of Comcast; and a recently-transitioned service member from Fort Stewart/HAAF – will address Georgia Tech-Savannah’s “Learners and Leaders” series at 7:30 a.m. Sept. 14.
The talk, which will include remarks followed by an interactive discussion, will take place on the Georgia Tech-Savannah campus at 210 Technology Circle. Breakfast and networking will begin at 7:30 a.m.; the program will run 8-9:30 a.m. Cost, including breakfast, is $15.
Moderated by Dr. James Wilburn, military programs director at Georgia Tech Professional Education, the panel will discuss regional workforce initiatives, transition trends and skillsets of those transitioning from Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield, specifically Veterans Education Training and Transition (VET2) at Georgia Tech-Savannah.
“Over the next three years, as many as 60,000 military members are expected to return to Georgia. More than 10,000 service members will be transitioning from the state’s army installations, 4,000 from Fort Stewart alone,” said Diane Lee, director of Georgia Tech-Savannah. “If we’re lucky, these veterans will continue to live and work in Georgia and contribute to the area’s economic viability. This session will explore ways to integrate veterans into the local civilian workforce.”
Participants will learn about the challenges service members face when transitioning to the civilian workforce and increase their familiarity with the resources provided by the state of Georgia to assist in alleviating these challenges, including VET2, a fully-funded program with no costs for service members.
Georgia Tech-Savannah’s Learners and Leaders series is an effort launched in 2014 to help companies in the coastal region stay current. To date, members of the coastal community have heard speakers on topics of relevance to the business community, including mobile apps, coaching and mentoring, leadership and logistics.
To register or learn more about upcoming programs, go to pe.gatech.edu/Sav-Learners or email savinfo@pe.gatech.edu for details.
