DALLAS — AT&T is stepping up its veteran recruiting efforts with the goal of hiring 5,000 veterans and their family members into career opportunities over the next five years, consistent with its commitment to equal employment opportunities.
AT&T announced the hiring goal at a White House event with Michelle Obama and other companies supporting the Joining Forces Initiative that she co-founded.
“It’s wonderful that Mrs. Obama has taken up the cause of those who have served our country so well,” said AT&T Chairman and CEO Randall Stephenson. “All of us at AT&T are happy to respond to her call.”
AT&T also announced that it plans to lead an initiative with JPMorgan Chase and the 100,000 Jobs Mission to launch a veteran talent exchange later this year. The exchange will enable active-duty military and veteran job candidates to “opt-in” to a talent-sharing database to facilitate the sharing and referral of veteran candidates among participating 100,000 Jobs Mission member companies. The 100,000 Jobs Mission was launched in 2011 by JPMorgan Chase, AT&T and nine other companies. It has grown to 101 companies committed to hiring at least 100,000 veterans by 2020. The coalition’s companies collectively hired 64,628 veterans through the first quarter of 2013.
“We increased our veteran recruiting emphasis beginning in 2011, and have benefitted greatly from the outstanding leadership, skills and character of the veterans who have joined AT&T,” said Stephenson. “It is the right thing to do for our company, our veterans and our country. Our nation’s service men and women make great sacrifices to protect our country and our freedom. It’s an honor to support them in their service, and an opportunity to recruit them as they transition to career opportunities in the private sector.”
About 60 percent of veterans who joined AT&T in 2012 made their transition to the private sector as technicians. AT&T’s Project Velocity IP – which is expected to significantly expand and enhance the company’s wireless and wireline IP broadband network over the next three years – is driving technician hiring needs. In addition, veterans, many with college degrees, are finding employment across AT&T’s career areas as project managers, IT professionals, financial analysts, supply chain managers and more. And a select corps of junior officers and college-educated noncommissioned officers are being recruited into AT&T leadership development programs. More than 92 percent of veterans hired by AT&T continue their careers with the company after two years, compared with 88 percent of general population hires. AT&T also supports military families in their efforts to find employment opportunities.
To help veterans find career opportunities, AT&T has a veteran career site, which includes tools for veterans to match their military skills with AT&T jobs. AT&T has a military talent attraction manager who focuses on military recruitment. And the company has the Careers for Veteransprogram where AT&T Veterans provide job search advice to help thousands of newly transitioning veterans optimize their career searches.
