UPS plan to hire up to 50,000 veterans by 2018

UPS has recently announced its plans to hire up to 50,000 veterans by the end of year 2018. This total of 50,000 will double UPS’s original five year recruitment pledge that was made last year as part of the Obama Administration’s Joining Forces initiative. During 2013, UPS hired 13,000 veterans, which was an increase by 30% compared to the previous year.

In addition to this, the US parcel delivery company is also set to increase the employee volunteer service hours committed to its veterans and those part of the Veteran Service Organisation. UPS employees are now set to contribute 50,000 service hours; this comes as part of the company’s expansion in focusing upon the aviation industry.

John McDevitt, Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Labour Relations, has said: “UPS made great progress in our first year as part of the Joining Forces initiative that we believe we could accept the challenge to increase our commitment. We are honoured to welcome these Americans into our company and have seen first-hand the immense value they bring to UPS because of their skills and experience.”

Those military veterans that have been hired so far have filled major, key positions within the company. Some of the positions they have filled cover areas such as operations, management, logistics, automotive and aircraft maintenance, with specific roles including pilots, driver and The UPS Store franchise owners being filled also.