First Lady unveils new military spouse hiring effort

  • Published
  • By Elaine Sanchez
  • American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON --  First Lady Michelle Obama April 4, 2012, announced a new hiring effort intended to deliver thousands of portable, flexible job opportunities to military spouses and veterans in the coming years.

Eleven companies have pledged more than 15,000 jobs for military spouses and veterans, the first lady said, noting the vast majority of these jobs can be accomplished from home.
This commitment will make a "huge difference" for military spouses, Obama said during a teleconference announcing the initiative.

"We're working hard on their behalf because we're proud of them," the first lady said. "Having an opportunity to have a decent job ... is one of the most important ways we can support these families."

This new effort will offer spouses thousands of at home employment opportunities in areas such as customer support and telemarketing, as well as jobs that are physically located near military installations, according to a White House news release. Nearly two dozen contact centers -- which offer family-friendly scheduling, growth opportunities and the ability to transfer seamlessly from one center to another -- have committed to hiring spouses.

These companies and their job opportunities will be integrated into the Defense Department's Military Spouse Employment Partnership, the release said. MSEP is an effort in which more than 100 private-sector companies have committed to a focused effort on military spouse employment.

"Whatever comes up in life along the way, these types of jobs will give them the type of flexibility and portability they'll need to succeed, not just in their careers, but the rest of their lives as well," Obama said on the conference call.

The first lady noted the value of flexible, portable jobs for military spouses, who must balance work and home life with military-related demands. Portability enables spouses to move without the stress of finding a new job at each new location, the first lady explained, noting military families are 10 times more likely to move across state lines than civilian families. And flexible work hours offer a better work-life balance, particularly for spouses caring for children or elderly parents.

Also on the call, Air Force wife Dawn Schaeffer recounted the employment challenges that drove her to find the at-work flexibility she needed.

Schaeffer started out as a veterinary technician, but was unable to find work in her field after she and her husband, Air Force Staff Sgt. Travis Schaeffer, moved from Guam to Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. Wanting time at home with their baby daughter, Schaeffer found a job as an at-home customer service professional, which offers her both portability and flexibility. She now provides customer service to some of the largest companies in the world, she said. "I absolutely love what I do."

Military spouses shoulder a significant burden, Obama noted. They move frequently, take on additional responsibilities during deployment -- all while balancing the demands of family, careers and community.

But while challenging, a military lifestyle also equips spouses with a vast array of in-demand job skills, the first lady said. They're able to troubleshoot a variety of situations, manage schedules and deal with changing circumstances -- all qualities any employer would value, she noted.

"Military spouses often are the most talented and most resilient and most employable people around," she said. "What we're trying to do is meet these spouses where they are."

The first lady's announcement comes in advance of next week's Joining Forces anniversary. Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, the vice president's wife, launched this national initiative last year to rally the nation in support of troops, veterans and their families.

Since then, they've focused much of their efforts on employment issues for spouses and veterans, the first lady said, and have "made strides all along the way."

The first lady praised the companies that have stepped up to support spouses and veterans.

"Companies are not just telling military families we are inspired by them," Obama said, "They're backing it up with meaningful, concrete action."

Companies' key commitments include:
-- Alpine Access has pledged to recruit, train and hire more than 3,000 military-connected Americans over the next two years. The company also will launch TalentSprout, an online portal with skill-building and job training curriculum. These career and personal development courses will be offered free-of-charge to qualified members of the armed forces and to their eligible spouses and caregivers.

--Arise Virtual Solutions Inc. plans to add 10,000 new independent business and client services professionals from military families over the next several years. Arise also intends to develop special programs to create awareness among military spouses and veterans.

-- DialAmerica aims to increase the number of military-affiliated employees to make up 20 percent of its workforce by 2014.

-- Etech Global Services has committed to hiring a minimum of 200 military spouses and veterans in next two years.

-- Hilton Hotels employs nearly 800 military-related employees at their hotels and offices around the globe. In partnership with Recruit Military and other community-based organizations, Hilton Worldwide is pledging another 3.5 percent of their Hilton@Home call center positions to military spouses through 2014.

-- Prosperity America intends to hire 50 more veterans and military spouses.

-- Quality Contact Solutions is creating 150 work-at-home business-to-business marketing and communication jobs for military spouses over the next two years. These jobs will be in the health care and telecommunications industries.

-- Agility Marketing is planning to add 100 jobs for military spouses and veterans over the next two years.

-- QCSS Inc. will ensure a minimum of 10 percent of the forecasted 200 new hires from now through 2014 will be veterans and their families.

-- SP Data intends to add more than 150 jobs for military spouses and veterans over the next two years.

-- Veteran Call Center, LLC plans to create an additional 1,000 jobs for military spouses and veterans over the next two years.