GE focuses on veteran employment

General Electric, wanting more veterans among its ranks, has announced an initiative to hire 5,000 veterans over the next five years while funding a joint-externship program with the U.S. Army Reserve’s 807th Medical Command. The hiring initiative is part of GE’s partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, with whom the Legion is also partnered, and the externship program is a product of its relationship with the Army Reserve, which the Legion also has close ties with.

The initiative to hire 5,000 veterans will support the Chamber’s “Hiring Our Heroes” program, which brings veteran job fairs to cities around the country. The Legion works closely with the Chamber to arrange the job fairs, often using posts as sites for the festivities. GE has agreed to sponsor 400 fairs this year and will provide training and job-search services to veterans in 50 of those cities.

GE will hire veterans from all parts of the country and will match them with its various branches nationwide. Veterans interested in applying can go here.

“GE is proud to count among our employees thousands of military veterans whose leadership skills and training supports our culture of dedication and commitment,” said Richard Neff, vice president and general manager of service for GE Healthcare in U.S. and Canada. “We are pleased with the results of this pilot program and look forward to expanding our efforts to provide career opportunities to our service men and women.”

GE Healthcare’s externship program with the Army Reserve provides training and fosters career development within the health industry for Reservists in the 807th Medical Command. Participants in the program gain professional qualifications for advancement in their civilian and military careers. The program gives them an opportunity to get “hands-on” experiences at GE’s regional medical concentration sites.

Last month, the program graduated its first class of seven Reservists. A second class is currently halfway through, and a third wave will begin in the near future.

Reservists who are Biomedical Equipment Specialists are eligible. Those interested should contact the Army Reserve for more information.