-Hub will provide workforce development, educational resources; support for military families in transition to civilian life-Centre to be located at Virginia Tech’s Innovation Campus in Alexandria, Va.-Partnership builds on recent decision to name Northern Virginia office Boeing HQ and previously announced $50 million investment in Virginia Tech
“Boeing has a long, proud history of supporting veterans and their families during and after their service. We’re also a leading employer of service members, with veterans representing more than 15% of our workforce. So we’re honoured to join Virginia and Virginia Tech to build on Boeing’s commitment to veterans with this Center for Veteran Transition & Military Families,” said Boeing President and CEO Dave Calhoun. “This initiative will unlock new career opportunities for veterans and their families and help develop leading technical talent while affirming our continued investment in Northern Virginia.”
Boeing and Virginia Tech’s partnership dates back 70 years – highlighted by the company’s recent $50 million investment to become the first foundational partner of the Innovation Campus.
The veterans centre, which will utilize a portion of that investment, represents another milestone in this historic and evolving partnership and affirms the shared commitment by the university, the Commonwealth of Virginia and Boeing to bolster the depth of the nation’s tech talent, drive economic growth, and provide opportunities for non-traditional students, including veterans, to succeed.
Boeing’s investment in the Innovation Campus is also providing student scholarships, fostering the recruitment of world-class faculty and researchers and funding STEM initiatives for underserved K-12 students.
The veterans centre will be in close proximity to and operate in coordination with the Hokie One Stop, a planned Virginia Tech services centre that will serve as a support centre for current and prospective students interested in participating in Innovation Campus programs.
“Boeing’s recent announcement to move its headquarters to Virginia and reaffirm its commitment to building the next generation of tech talent is a timely development for the Commonwealth, and is made more exciting by their extensive partnership with Virginia Tech,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “The relocation of a world-class company like Boeing to Virginia is a testament to the wealth of talent and human capital in our state. Their pledge to create the Boeing Center for Veteran Transition and Military Families ensures that the Commonwealth and its businesses continue to invest in diverse career pathways for veterans and students alike, all the while helping businesses thrive.”
In partnership with national military and veteran programs, Virginia is in the process of developing an expanded network of resources for veterans and their families. Centred in the Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads regions, the network will include economic and workforce programs, mental health resources and community volunteering opportunities.
“After working for well over a year to help bring Boeing’s headquarters to Virginia, I proudly welcome this effort, which will further strengthen the Commonwealth’s 21st-century workforce and set our military families up for success,” said U.S. Senator Mark R. Warner. “The Virginia Tech Innovation Campus veterans centre will be key to engaging our veterans and their families in the groundbreaking new tech opportunities being cultivated in National Landing and throughout the region.”
“As companies continue to look towards Virginia as a competitive and attractive state to base their operations, it’s critical those investments also benefit the communities they rely on. As we welcome Boeing headquarters to Virginia, it’s great to see the Company investing first and foremost in our military veterans and families,” said U.S. Senator Tim Kaine. “Veterans and military families offer a tremendous skillset and unique experience that enhances any organization they join, and I applaud this proactive effort to help the veteran and military family community sharpen their skills and career prospects for the jobs of tomorrow.”
“Virginia Tech has a long history of successful partnerships with Boeing and the Commonwealth, and we look forward to working with them to provide a home for this important initiative for veterans at the Innovation Campus,” said Virginia President Tim Sands. “We know veterans bring unique talents and abilities to our campus, and the commonwealth’s workforce.”
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