Military veterans make invaluable employees – largely for their work ethic and unique skills. But first they need help to translate their skills into tools for success in an airport workplace.

Now Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA) is partnering with Edge4Vets, a jobs training program offered out of Fordham University, to do just that. Edge4Vets prepares and connects veterans to airport jobs that can lead to aviation careers. The program gives veterans access to exciting lives in aviation, while giving partner companies access to talented, job-ready veterans that can enhance the quality of their company’s workforce.

ACI-NA recently added a “recruitment button” to its website to direct veterans looking for airport employment to Edge4Vets. Once they register, veterans are invited to take an online prep course where they learn how to translate their military strengths through a series of short videos and exercises. They create a personal Plan4Success that will give them an “edge” when looking for an airport job that can lead to a career.

In addition, vets are invited to take a “Connection Workshop” where mentors (HR reps) from partner airport companies show them how to match their skills and interests to job openings at the partner companies.

According to Tom Murphy, founder of Edge4Vets, who will present the program to airport directors at ACI-NA’s annual CEO Forum in February, “Edge4Vets gives vets and airport employers a system to prepare and connect with each other that is light years advanced from job fairs that so often can be hit or miss.”

Airports participating in the program to date include LAX, MIA, FLL, with Houston Airport System next and three airports in South Carolina (Greenville-Spartanburg, Charleston and Myrtle Beach) getting ready to join the program. Several aviation leaders in NY have expressed interest, and Vaughn College has offered to host a Pilot for the program in NY, while Council of Airport Opportunity is exploring how CAO can participate by sourcing vets.

For more information on how your aviation company can join, visit Edge4Vets.org. Or contact Tom Murphy at tom@tommurphy.org.