{"id":27590,"date":"2015-11-11T09:00:07","date_gmt":"2015-11-11T14:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.solidworks.com\/solidworksblog\/?p=27590"},"modified":"2018-11-16T15:10:09","modified_gmt":"2018-11-16T20:10:09","slug":"workshops-for-warriors-rebuilding-americas-advanced-manufacturing-one-veteran-at-a-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.solidworks.com\/solidworksblog\/2015\/11\/workshops-for-warriors-rebuilding-americas-advanced-manufacturing-one-veteran-at-a-time.html","title":{"rendered":"Workshops for Warriors \u2013 Rebuilding America\u2019s Advanced Manufacturing, One Veteran at a Time"},"content":{"rendered":"

Listen to the new Podcast –\u00a0Veterans Designing their future \u2013 Workshops for Warriors \u2013 Retraining to fill Americas Skills Gap Jobs in Manufacturing<\/a><\/p>\n

Ever since I went to the Naval Academy Graduation Ceremony in 1994, and watched the Blue Angels fly along the Severn River, I\u2019ve had an immense respect for those serving in our military.\u00a0 Having a family member in the Special Operations Command, I\u2019ve been fortunate to meet many active and retired service members, and that respect continued to grow as I gained knowledge of the true selflessness and sacrifice that our military personnel endure as they serve.<\/p>\n

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In late 2012, I was first introduced to Workshops for Warriors, and was immediately inspired by their story and their mission.\u00a0 It all began with Hernan and Rachel Luis y Prado who opened up their garage for veterans and wounded warriors who are transitioning to civilian life and sometimes struggling greatly with that transition, and often wondering where their next paycheck will come from and how they will support their families.\u00a0 Hernan and Rachel\u2019s Workshop for Warrior\u2019s mission is to prepare veterans and wounded warriors for advanced manufacturing careers by providing them with industry-leading training, nationally recognized portable credentials, work experience, and job placement. They are rebuilding America\u2019s advanced manufacturing workforce, one veteran at a time.\u00a0 Their energy, commitment, and enthusiasm is contagious!<\/p>\n

The results are very impressive:\u00a0 100% of all veterans and wounded warriors graduating from their school result in job placement.\u00a0 <\/strong>39 of those students have received their SOLIDWORKS CSWA degrees (Certified SOLIDWORKS Associate) and CSWP degrees, (Certified SOLIDWORKS Professional) and many have an increased knowledge of the SOLIDWORKS product suite to help round out their education with additional skills to help students differentiate themselves in a competitive workforce environment.\u00a0 Today, Workshops for Warriors are in the midst of a $15M capital campaign to build a state of the art advanced manufacturing center at their current location in San Diego.\u00a0 Workshops for Warriors\u2019 goal is to ensure the futures of America\u2019s veterans and wounded warriors by creating advanced manufacturing training centers throughout the nation.<\/p>\n

The Corporate support from SOLIDWORKS has been exceptional, and I\u2019m very proud and grateful for that commitment.\u00a0 While visiting with customers, we repeatedly hear about the difficulties in finding skilled manufacturing and engineering resources.\u00a0 Supporting the Workshops for Warriors program creates a win-win scenario for our veterans and our manufacturing customers.<\/p>\n

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\nI\u2019ve had the pleasure to meet the Workshops for Warriors students on a few visits.\u00a0 To see the excitement on the faces of these young men and women as they see a \u201cway forward\u201d for their ability to provide for themselves and their families is truly a life changing experience.\u00a0 As a parent of four children, I\u2019m constantly looking for ways to teach them perspective in life.\u00a0 Getting involved with Workshops for Warriors, and being recently appointed to serve on their Board of Advisors, has given me a new perspective and new inspiration.\u00a0 I hope that you\u2019ll join the Workshops for Warriors team in thanking our veterans by providing them advanced manufacturing skills \u2013 and help rebuild America\u2019s advanced manufacturing workforce, one veteran at a time.<\/p>\n

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