Samsung Newsroom U.S.
Samsung Global Newsroom Samsung Global Newsroom
BackBack to Corporate

Veteran Reskilling in Today’s Economy

8/4/2020

Samsung partnered with the Manufacturing Institute to bring awareness to the rise of veteran unemployment due to COVID-19. The Veteran Reskilling in Today’s Economy digital event featured veterans, industry leaders and experts discussing best practices, resources, tools and solutions to help attract and retain valuable veteran talent.

Speakers included:

  • Megan Pollock, VP of Strategic Communications, Samsung
  • Carolyn Lee, Executive Director, The Manufacturing Institute
  • Babs Chase, VP of Military & Veterans Programs, The Manufacturing Institute
  • John Lowry, Assistant Secretary of Labor, Veterans’ Employment and Training Services
  • John Buckley, Military Relations Manager, Koch Industries
  • George Clay, Production Supervisor, Sherwin Williams
  • Andrew Morton, Director of Veterans and Certification Affairs, SHRM

Megan Pollock, VP of Strategic Communications, Samsung, opened up the event by highlighting how Samsung and the Manufacturing Institute has been working together to bridge the gap between the military and manufacturing. Pollock also touched on several other Samsung initiatives that support American veterans. “We have learned that servicemen and women have an incredible skill set that’s specially designed for the advanced manufacturing field,” said Pollock. “Hiring managers don’t always understand that.”

Shortly after, Carolyn Lee, Executive Director, The Manufacturing Institute, highlighted how The Manufacturing Institute has been expanding how they have been helping service members bridge the gap into the manufacturing industry. “We’ve evolved now into an umbrella initiative,” said Lee. “Where we are training people in multiple branches, in multiple locations, with multiple skillsets, and helping the broader military community transition into the sector.”

John Lowry, Assistant Secretary of Labor, Veterans’ Employment and Training Services, shared his views on the importance of the Heroes Make America program. “One of the things that’s great about it is that it connects existing service members before they leave the service and helps them get the tools before they hang up the uniform,” said Lowry.   “I’ve been incredibly impressed with the outcomes of the program.”

Babs Chase, VP of Military & Veterans Programs, The Manufacturing Institute, moderated a panel that focused on the reskilling of military talent for the manufacturing sectors. The panel consisted of three veterans who have successfully made the transition from service to manufacturing.

“Reskilling under the Heroes Make America program is very comprehensive,” said John Buckley, Military Relations Manager, Koch Industries. “It really does a great job in preparing our veterans.”

“We start looking at what veterans are bringing to organizations,” said George Clay, Production Supervisor, Sherwin-Williams. “It’s a lot more than the common soft skills that you look at.”

Click here for more information on the Heroes Make America program and here to see what Samsung is doing to help advance America’s veterans. Please email samsungdc@sea.samsung.com with any other inquires.

Press Kit

6 Items
154.18 MB
Images.zip (1) - 188.09 KB
Article.txt - 3.27 KB

Media Contact

Public Affairs Office

SamsungDC@sea.samsung.com