We understand how difficult it can be for service members, veterans, and military spouses to find satisfying careers amidst transition. Home Front military Network (HFMN) partners with Onward to Opportunity (O2O) to connect military and veteran families to O2O’s free career training program that provides professional certification and employee support services.
O2O is a career skills program through the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University. Supported by grants from JPMorgan Chase & Co., the Schultz Family Foundation, and USAA, O2O utilizes an online learning platform to help transitioning service members, selected reserve, veterans, and military spouses learn business, technology, and customer service skills to accomplish their personal and professional goals.
O2O has Certification Training Tracks in project management, human resources, and information technology to help veterans and their families pursue the career they are passionate about. Additionally, the program directly connects students to over 800 national employers, provides networking opportunities, and comprehensive career coaching services from Hire Heroes USA, including resume building and interview training.
O2O combines industry-validated curricula, strong partnerships, and comprehensive career coaching and employment services support to align program participants with civilian job opportunities. O2O is a free program that does not utilize educational benefits and connects students to veteran service organizations (VSOs) and private sector companies committed to hiring and training veterans and military spouses.
O2O will fund one industry certification per participant, provided the individual completes the required coursework, practice exam requirements, and, if applicable, meets the certifying agency’s eligibility requirements.
If you are an active duty U.S. military member who will transition out of military service in the next six months with an honorable discharge status, a U.S. veteran with an honorable discharge status, an active member of the National Guard and Reserve with a part-time status, or a spouse of any active-duty U.S. military service member, a U.S. veteran, an active member of the U.S. National Guard or Reserve, you can apply to O2O today by clicking HERE.
HFMN is an avid supporter of the work O2O is doing, and the former O2O Program Manager, Joe Aldaz, serves on the HFMN Board of Directors. Joe Aldaz is a dedicated nonprofit executive, U.S. Air Force Academy graduate, and an excellent addition to the HFMN team. Joe Aldaz was recruited by the former HFMN Board Chair and decided to join the Board of Directors because he sees the importance of the HFMN mission and wanted to play a part in it.
Due to the great work O2O is doing in the state of Colorado, in 2020, HFMN awarded O2O the Bob Carlone Community Service Award. This award is presented to a business or organization that consistently supports veterans, military members, and their families in Colorado and is dedicated to leading and helping others.
Joe Aldaz told HFMN that “partnering with HFMN has allowed O2O to create awareness and promote their brand to the military community of which we serve.”
If you are interested in learning more about O2O, you can visit their webpage HERE. If you are interested in supporting O2O, you can continue to tell others about the program and the significance of gaining a competitive edge in the private sector with an industry-recognized certification. Additionally, O2O is always looking for corporate donors to support the program locally and nationwide.
The application deadlines and start dates for the upcoming O2O cohorts is listed below:
Cohort 27
Program Start Date: May 2, 2023
Application Deadline: April 14, 2023
Cohort 28
Program Start Date: June 13, 2023
Application Deadline: May 30, 2023
Cohort 29
Program Start Date: July 11. 2023
Application Deadline: June 30, 2023
Cohort 30
Program Start Date: October 17, 2023
Application Deadline: October 6, 2023
5-Day PMP Virtual Boot Camp
Cohort 26
May 15th – 19th, 2023
Cohort 27
July 17th – 21st, 2023
To learn more about the other services HFMN offers, including emergency financial assistance, give us a call at 719-577-7417 or send us a message at https://pikespeak.co.networkofcare.org/veterans/content.aspx?id=6533. Stay up to date with local events for military and veteran families by visiting our community calendar: https://pikespeak.co.networkofcare.org/veterans/events.aspx .
