Army and state unite in job program
Hawaii has become the second state government to enter into a partnership with the U.S. Army that provides job training for enlisted soldiers to prepare them for the civilian work force after their military commitment is up.
The program, known as the Partnership for Youth Success, will help the state fill a growing number of civil service vacancies, said Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona.
Through the partnership, the Army will have access to the state's job requirements for civil service positions. Soldiers who take part in the program would be able to gain training tailored to a specific job, enabling them to step into the work force as soon as their military commitment is complete.
"The personnel that will come to us will be able to hit the ground running," Aiona said yesterday at a news conference.
Through the first nine months of the 2008 fiscal year, which began July 1, there were 1,296 civil service job vacancies, compared with 1,382 in all of fiscal year 2007, Aiona said.
The program already has agreements with 276 companies across the country, but Hawaii joins Wisconsin as the only other state government to participate, said Army Maj. Gen. Thomas Bostick, commanding general of the U.S. Army Recruiting Command.
Bostick said the program also helps the Army with recruitment efforts by promising work opportunities to enlisted soldiers.
"It allows soldiers an opportunity to be guaranteed an interview with our civilian friends and organizations," Bostick said.