Microsoft’s Chris Cortez: Companies Should Launch Efforts to Support Veteran Workforce

Chris Cortez, vice president of military affairs at Microsoft, has said that efforts must be put into supporting the transition of former service members to private-sector jobs through education programs and reskilling initiatives.

He wrote in LinkedIn post published Friday that companies must be encouraged to “think more broadly about how veterans contribute to corporate cultures” and how tools can be used to promote veterans’ growth in the workplace.

According to Cortez, Microsoft’s Software and Systems Academy reskilling program has helped improve veterans’ employment status and resulted in retention rates of more than 80 percent over a two-year period.

MSSA covers training in “soft skills” as well as “in-demand” areas like cloud application development. The program also has over 500 partners to help simplify the hiring process.

“Veteran recruiting and training supports the men and women who have bravely served our country — and creates a rich, diverse talent pool that companies across the U.S. can benefit from,” he said. “Education and skills training are not one-size-fits-all, and we must continue the work of creating new avenues for people of all backgrounds to gain the skills they need to participate in today’s digital economy.”