Veterans Readiness in Technology: Preparing Veterans for the 21st Century Economy

Washington, DC — The Millennial Action Project (MAP) brought together top members of the Congressional Future Caucus and Diversifying Tech Caucus for a Congressional briefing this past Tuesday, November 15th, to discuss the challenges facing veterans and transitioning service members looking to access careers in the technology sector. The event explored concrete policy initiatives and actions that can be taken by both the government and the private sector to provide veterans and service members with the tools they need to be obtain work opportunities in the tech workforce. The event was hosted in conjunction with Engine, TwinLogic Strategies, and Amazon Web Services.

The briefing featured opening remarks in support of the conversation by Congressional Future Caucus Members Representatives Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) and Joe Kennedy III (D-MA), and from Diversifying Tech Caucus Member Representative Barbara Comstock (R-VA). “Veterans have been lately underrepresented in the tech community, making up just 2% the sector,” said Representative Gabbard, co-chair of the Congressional Future Caucus. “Ensuring our veterans have access to training and opportunities that set them up for success in the 21st century tech economy is good for our economy, good for our tech industry, good for our country, and good for our veterans.”

Following the Representatives’ opening remarks, expert panelists David Molina, Founder and Executive Director of Operation Code, Curtis L. Coy, Deputy Under Secretary of Economic Opportunity at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Ardine Williams, VP of Global Talent Acquisition at Amazon Web Services and Evan Engstrom, Executive Director of Engine, discussed the current challenges that inhibit veterans and transitioning service members from pursuing careers in technology. The discussion was moderated by MAP President, Steven Olikara.

For more information, please visit www.millennialaction.org

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