ATLANTA, April 23, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- UPS (NYSE: UPS) announced today plans to hire 50,000 veterans by the end of 2018. The total doubles the company's original five-year hiring pledge made last year as part of the Obama Administration's Joining Forces initiative. In 2013, UPS hired 13,000 veterans, an increase of more than 30 percent from the prior year.
Additionally, UPS will increase its employee volunteer service hours committed to veterans and Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs). Employees will now contribute 50,000 service hours as part of the expanded pledge announced at an employment summit and career forum focusing on the aviation industry at Fort Campbell, Ky., attended by First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden. UPS employees already have logged more than 18,000 volunteer hours directly to veterans and VSOs.
"UPS made great progress in our first year as part of the Joining Forces initiative that we believe that we could accept the challenge to increase our commitment," said John McDevitt, senior vice president, human resources and labor relations. "We are honored to welcome these Americans into our company and have seen firsthand the immense value they bring to UPS because of their skills and experience."
UPS serves as an advisor to the military as a part of the national initiative to increase access to civilian credentialing, certifications and apprenticeships for service members in order to simplify the transition into the civilian work force. The program is designed to provide better educational, empowerment and wellness opportunities for veterans and their families.
UPS's delivery driver position is certified in the Department of Labor's Registered Apprenticeship Program which enables eligible military veterans to draw G.I. Bill funds while being trained as a UPS driver. There are plans to seek approvals for other UPS positions in IT, operations and automotive. More details on how to apply for UPS's program will be released in the future.
Military veterans hired to-date at UPS have filled key positions across operations, management, logistics, automotive and aircraft maintenance as well as pilots, drivers and The UPS Store® franchise owners.
UPS has increased the number of veterans hired annually by 73 percent, since it began its formal veterans hiring program in 2011. Currently the company employs nearly 24,000 veterans, representing 7.5 percent of the company's U.S. domestic workforce. Applicants can find information on opportunities and resources on the military tab at www.upsjobs.com, and many visit with UPS recruiters at veterans' job fairs.
In addition to UPS corporate initiatives supporting veterans, The UPS Store continues to be a part of the International Franchise Association's VetFran®program that helps returning service members access franchise opportunities through training, financial assistance and industry support. To date, more than 150 veterans have opened The UPS Store franchises through the VetFran® program. Veterans currently operate more than 280 centers in the network. Information can be found at www.theupsstorefranchise.com/veteran-franchise-opportunities.
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About UPS
UPS (NYSE:UPS) is a global leader in logistics, offering a broad range of solutions for the transportation of packages and freight, including innovative delivery options for the global consumer market; the facilitation of international trade, and the deployment of advanced technology to more efficiently manage the world of business. Headquartered in Atlanta, UPS serves more than 220 countries and territories worldwide. The company can be found on the Web at ups.com® and its corporate blog can be found at blog.ups.com. To get UPS news direct, visit pressroom.ups.com/RSS.
About The UPS Store
With nearly 4,800 locations in the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada, The UPS Store network comprises the world's largest franchise system of retail shipping, postal, print and business service centers. The UPS Store locations are independently owned and operated by licensed franchisees of The UPS Store, Inc., a subsidiary of UPS (NYSE: UPS). In Canada, locations are independently owned and operated by licensed franchisees of master licensee MBEC Communications, L.P. Services, pricing and hours of operation may vary by location. For additional information on The UPS Store, visit www.theupsstore.com. For information on franchise opportunities for opening a The UPS Store location, visit www.theupsstorefranchise.com.