WASHINGTON, Oct. 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Led by GE and The Manufacturing Institute, the Get Skills to Work (GSTW) coalition is pleased to announce a new partnership with Manpower, the global leader in contingent and permanent recruitment workforce solutions. Manpower is the first workforce solutions company to join the GSTW coalition, a significant step to train military veterans for jobs in advanced manufacturing, bolster the talent pipeline and enhance U.S. competitiveness. The announcement comes with the GSTW coalition's one-year anniversary of connecting our nation's transitioning veterans to careers in manufacturing.

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As part of the GSTW coalition, Manpower will help veterans bridge the gap from the military to the private sector. In local markets nationwide, Manpower is partnering with veterans groups to connect with transitioning military personnel, coaching job-seeking veterans about making their military experience relevant to civilian employers, and connecting veterans to jobs in advanced manufacturing.

"Veterans bring highly sought-after experience and technical expertise to the private sector, but, unfortunately, many struggle to find work after leaving the military," said Jorge Perez, Senior Vice President, Manpower, North America. "Manpower is proud to join the GSTW coalition to help veterans unleash their potential in the civilian workforce, and, at the same time, take a step toward easing the talent shortage employers are facing, particularly in advanced manufacturing."

Founded last year, the GSTW coalition provides our returning veterans with the skills they need to compete for careers in advanced manufacturing, and empowers manufacturers with tools to recruit, onboard and mentor veterans. The GSTW coalition was founded by GE, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Alcoa, and The Manufacturing Institute, and has grown to over 425 manufacturers, to help to close the skills gap and connecting veterans with even greater opportunities in advanced manufacturing.

"Our returning veterans have learned valuable skills through their service and have the fundamental skills to be successful in advanced manufacturing," said Jennifer McNelly, president of The Manufacturing Institute. "With our new partnership with Manpower, we will help create real opportunities for transitioning military to get the resources they need to access in-demand manufacturing jobs."

ManpowerGroup's 2013 Talent Shortage Survey found that 39 percent of U.S. employers are having difficulty finding staff with the right skills, with skilled trades positions ranking as the hardest jobs to fill. However, according to a recent report by the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF), there are currently 1.9 million unemployed veterans nationwide and more than 69 percent of veterans cite "finding a job" as the greatest challenge to transitioning back to the civilian world. Manpower intends to bridge some of that gap by encouraging military veterans to visit www.manpowerjobs.com or find the nearest office to learn more about working with Manpower.

About Manpower

Manpower is the global leader in contingent and permanent recruitment workforce solutions, providing the personal flexibility and agility businesses need with a continuum of staffing solutions. Manpower is part of the ManpowerGroup family of companies, which also includes Experis, ManpowerGroup Solutions and Right Management. More information is available at www.manpower.us.

About GE

GE is honored to have more than 10,000 U.S. military veterans continue their careers with the company and recently set a goal of hiring 1,000 veterans each year for the next five years. Through its partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Hiring Our Heroes program, GE hired over 1,100 veterans in 2012 and has supported over 50 Hiring Our Heroes transition workshops, coaching over 3,700 veterans. GE is also an active member of and donor to several leading national military and veteran support organizations, such as Disabled American Veterans, Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund and the Medal of Honor Foundation, among others.

GE (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter. The best people and the best technologies taking on the toughest challenges. Finding solutions in energy, health and home, transportation and finance. Building, powering, moving and curing the world. Not just imagining. Doing. GE works. For more information, visit the company's website at www.ge.com.

About The Manufacturing Institute

The Manufacturing Institute (the Institute) is the 501(c)(3) affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers. As a non-partisan organization, the Institute is committed to delivering leading-edge information and services to the nation's manufacturers. The Institute is the authority on the attraction, qualification and development of world-class manufacturing talent. For more information, please visit www.themanufacturinginstitute.org.

SOURCE Manpower