U.S. Senator John McCain will join local employers for a Town Hall meeting to discuss the importance of supporting veterans following their service and the role quality technical education programs can play in addressing unemployment among former military service people, and in helping them transition to successful civilian careers.
The Town Hall will begin at 11 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 10 with a a hands-on training demo at Universal Technical Institute‘s General Motors Lab in Avondale with UTI instructors and veteran students. UTI is located at 10695 W. Pierce St. in Avondale.
U.S. Senator John McCain will join local employers for a Town Hall meeting to discuss the importance of supporting veterans following their service and the role quality technical education programs can play in addressing unemployment among former military service people, and in helping them transition to successful civilian careers.
Then at 11:30 a.m., a Town Hall with veteran students and transportation industry leaders will be held in the UTI auditorium.
At 12:30 p.m., there will be a media Q&A session.
In addition to U.S. Sen. John McCain, the public, students and media will hear from:
Rod Paige, former U.S. secretary of education from 2001 to 2005
Kimberly McWaters, chairman of the board/CEO, UTI
Michael Romano, campus president, UTI-Avondale
Richard Stocking, president/COO, Swift Transportation
Dave Jackson, CEO, Knight Transportation
Scott Moss, SVP, Penske Automotive Group
Universal Technical Institute‘s Avondale campus also includes the General Motors Lab. Photo Courtesy Universal Technical Institute
Among U.S. veterans, unemployment remains higher than the general population. Often, veterans who are employed are working in jobs that don’t put to use the skills they gained while serving their country or pay them a living wage.
The skills veterans gained during their military service make them especially well-suited for careers in the transportation service industry.
The industry will need to fill approximately 37,000 service technician jobs every year between 2012 and 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. With a growing gap, employers already report they cannot find qualified service technicians for the jobs they have available.
- Senator John McCain will offer his perspective on veteran education and employment.
- Transportation service industry leaders and local employers will be available to answer questions about the industry demand for workers.
- Former U.S. Secretary of Education/current UTI Board Member Rod Paige can offer comment about the need to invest in career technical education options.
- Chairman of the Board and CEO Kimberly McWaters can offer perspectives about career technical education options for veterans within the transportation service industry.
