Amazon announces apprenticeship program to train veterans for high paying tech jobs

Amazon today signed an agreement with the US Department of Labor to create an apprenticeship program designed to aid military veterans as they attempt to re-enter the workforce.

Through ApprenticeshipUSA, veterans can take on paid internships at Amazon and learn the tech skills needed to move into good paying work, while securing the education needed to compete in an increasingly tech-oriented workforce.

US Secretary of Labor Deputy Chris Lu said:

We are pleased that Amazon is joining the remarkable group of forward-looking organizations that are pursuing innovations in apprenticeship for the 21st century. Partnerships like this one have reinvigorated our nation’s apprenticeship system, creating opportunity and pathways to prosperity for hundreds of thousands of Americans that will last for years to come.

Amazon is one of 200 employers, colleges, and labor organizations that have signed on to provide these types of internships. Currently, though, the list lacks the heavyweights of the industry including Facebook, Apple, Google, and Microsoft. Fingers crossed that they’ll get on board in the near future.

After stating last May that he’d like to hire 25,000 veterans and their spouses over the next five years, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos seems to be putting his money where his mouth is. Kudos.

via TechCrunch