Staying Fit
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These five hot industries aren’t only hiring, they’re eager to build a workforce with highly coveted traits such as a strong work ethic and the ability to communicate and work as a team — essentially skills and characteristics that veterans possess.
Construction
According to the Home Builders Institute, approximately 2.2 million positions will need to be filled in the next three years.
“With military veterans, there’s no quit,” Steve Evans, senior national training partner at homebuilding and development company Taylor Morrison, told AARP Veteran Report. “It’s hard to teach somebody leadership skills, drive, desire and grit. Military veterans have this, so they are a wonderful fit for the superintendent role.”
One entry point into the field is through Taylor Morrison’s six-week, hands-on, paid construction superintendent training program. Veterans can apply for construction positions and mention the Voyager program during the application process. If they’re accepted into the program, they’re also officially hired by Taylor Morrison.
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Hospitality
There’s an abundance of hospitality and leisure roles that employers need to fill as soon as possible — with no signs this sector is slowing down. The Occupational Outlook Handbook from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that demand for lodging managers will keep growing through 2031.
“The hospitality industry relies on teamwork and operates with a culture of commitment and service to others,” Sarah Cozewith, vice president of workforce development at the American Hotel and Lodging Association, told AARP Veteran Report. “Veterans are accustomed to that environment, making them an ideal candidate for a variety of front- and back-of-house positions.”
To address the industry’s need for a broad range of talent, the AHLA Foundation launched the “A Place to Stay” campaign to raise awareness of career pathways, opportunities for advancement and industry perks and benefits.
Financial services and cybersecurity
Financial services and cybersecurity roles are ripe for veterans who can leverage their problem-solving and customer-service-oriented skills. The Occupational Outlook Handbook forecasts that these roles will be on the increase for at least the next eight years.
