Sen. Carper Highlights Need for Veteran Hiring and Training at Siemens Appreciation Event

GLASGOW, Del. – U.S. Sen. Tom Carper highlighted the need for businesses to hire veterans of our nation’s armed forces today during an appreciation event at Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics in Glasgow. Sen. Carper, a member of the Veterans Job Caucus in the U.S. Senate, was joined by Eric Spiegel, President and CEO of Siemens Corporation, veterans and Siemens employees to highlight ways businesses can do their part to reduce the number of our nation’s 857,000 unemployed veterans.

Siemens participates in the “Joining Forces” initiative to help support and honor America’s service members and their families. As part of the initiative, Siemens originally pledged to reserve 10 percent of open positions for veterans. In three months, the company exceeded its goal and hired over 630 veterans in 2011. In January, Siemens announced plans to hire an additional 300 veterans in 2012. Siemens has developed a partnership with Orion International that helps the company find, select and hire veterans and has mobilized the Siemens Veterans Network, the company’s first national employee resource group to provide support and mentoring to Siemens veterans. Siemens has also been named as a finalist for the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award that recognizes companies who provide support for employees serving in the Guard and Reserve

“As we continue to focus on job creation for our nation’s unemployed, we must not overlook the need to get Delaware’s – and our nation’s – veterans back to work,” said Sen. Carper, a 23-year veteran. “I know the sacrifices our service members make by defending our nation, and we have a responsibility to ensure that our heroes are able to re-enter the workforce once they arrive home. I hope other businesses make the commitment like Siemens to hire veterans and help us combat the problem of veteran unemployment.”

“The comprehensive technical training and field experience veterans gain in military service makes them uniquely qualified for positions in innovative industries,” said Eric Spiegel, President and CEO of Siemens Corporation. “Having these brave, disciplined and talented men and women as a part of our team will make Siemens a stronger company for years to come.”

This spring, Sen. Carper launched a comprehensive veterans page on his website – carper.senate.gov/veterans – dedicated to helping Delaware’s veterans gain access to important resources and information. The web page is a central clearinghouse of information and resources for veterans of all ages – ranging from how to claim education benefits to job search guides to where to find your local VA hospital. The page builds on Sen. Carper’s commitment to ensure that our veterans have the proper resources and support they need once they arrive home.

In February, Sen. Carper introduced legislation, the Military and Veterans Education Protection Act (MVEP), to improve the current laws regarding educational benefits for our nation’s military service members and veterans by modifying the current 90/10 financial aid formula used by for-profit colleges.