American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12, 2013 - The Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University in New York has expanded eligibility to enroll in its Veterans Career Transition Program to spouses of eligible veterans and active duty service members.

This allows these spouses access to online courses along four professional tracks that will help them gain knowledge, skills and certifications that civilian organizations seek in their employees, all at no cost, institute officials said.

The deadline for spouses and eligible veterans to register for courses that begin in January is Dec. 15.

The Veterans Career Transition Program delivers career-focused online training to transitioning U.S. military members, members of the Guard and reserves, post 9/11 veterans and now military and eligible veterans' spouses. The program is paid for in its entirety by JPMorgan Chase and Co., so participants don't incur any costs or use their education benefits to take part, officials said.

"The Veterans Career Transition Program has helped many veterans successfully transition into civilian careers – and that's why we're expanding it to military spouses," said Maureen Casey, managing director of the JPMorgan Chase & Co. office of military and veterans affairs.

"Our aim is to position military families for post-military service success," Casey added. "Through VCTP, veterans and spouses can add to the valuable skills they already have and gain additional knowledge, skills and certifications that employers are seeking."

Program participants select an independent study track or follow education tracks in Professional Skills, Technology or Human Resources -- a new course of study that will begin in January.

Mike Haynie, executive director and co-founder of the Institute for Veterans and Military Families, noted that every service branch includes people who have worked in human resources, project management and information technology.

"Where they struggle in the civilian job market is with professional certifications that military training doesn't provide," he said. "The Veterans Career Transition Program helps veterans and military spouses meet the requirements to fill growing demand from companies for skilled, experienced workers."

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