Hiring Heroes: IT Companies With Jobs Programs For Veterans

Hiring Our Heroes

Many companies have started programs to find technology-related jobs for military personnel. In honor of Memorial Day, here's a look at a few of the programs, which range from helping with education and job placement to fundraising for veterans programs.

Continuum

Continuum launched the Continuum Veterans Foundation, a nonprofit group that provides financial support to other nonprofit organizations focused on helping find jobs for veterans. A portion of Continuum's Service Desk revenue helps fund the program, according to the company. Pictured here, Continuum CEO Michael George parachuted out of a plane in 2012 to launch the program.

Microsoft

Microsoft started the Elevate America program to help veterans and their spouses transition from the military to civilian employment, according to the company's website. Microsoft has invested more than $12 million in the program, and resources include technology skills training and certification, job placement, career counseling, and other support services such as childcare, transportation and housing, according to Microsoft.

Hewlett-Packard

HP, which ranks 18th among Military Friendly Employers, according to Victory media, a veteran-owned business that tracks military job placement, plans to launch a Veterans@HP program and landing page in June. "HP recognizes there are few better incubators of leadership and technical talent than our U.S. Armed Services," according to the company.

CompTia

Comptia's Troops to Techs Careers program is designed to ensure that returning veterans and their spouses can pursue careers in IT by receiving the education, certifications and job placement resources to support their initiatives. Since early 2012, more than 8,000 veterans have participated in the program, according to CompTia, which mentioned that CDW, Atrion, Symantec and Zylog have been "highly engaged member companies."

Ingram Micro

In addition to hiring veterans, distributor Ingram Micro regularly creates and sponsors care packages that are delivered to troops overseas, and raises funds during its partner events for specific military foundations. Pictured here, Ingram Micro held a Casino Night at a System ArchiTech event, which raised several thousand dollars for the Semper Fi Foundation.

Synnex

Synnex recently participated in a "Hire Our Heroes" job fair in Greenville, S.C., pictured here. The event was organized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and targeted active duty military members, guard and reserve members, and military spouses. The distributor posts jobs on several employment Web sites targeting veterans and also held a big welcome home celebration for one sales rep who returned from a tour in Afghanistan.