The UWUA’s Utility Workers Military Assistance Program (UMAP) is earning well-deserved recognition as a key partner in the Task Force Movement (TFM), a national veterans’ employment initiative launched by President Biden in April 2022. Originally created to address the nationwide shortage of long-distance truck drivers, TFM has since expanded to other industries to both address workforce shortages and enhance employment opportunities for veterans. TFM organizers look to UWUA’s UMAP as a guiding example.
TFM aims to create a collaborative effort among military life cycle experts, employers, unions, industry associations, veterans’ organizations, academic and vocational training institutions, and state and federal governing bodies. The goal is to develop and quickly implement solutions that advance career pathways for transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses. It seeks to translate military training into civilian job qualifications, addressing a critical gap where veterans often find themselves highly skilled but lacking the formal certifications recognized in the civilian job market. For example, military personnel trained to operate sophisticated technology or drive trucks often do not receive certificates that directly translate into civilian credentials like Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs).
State-Wide Launch in Illinois
On May 22nd, TFM announced its first state-wide launch in Illinois. This initiative aligns TFM with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Illinois Department of Employment Security, and Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs and aims to develop and implement workforce and apprenticeship programs in key industries including energy, healthcare, cybersecurity, aviation, and maritime. These programs support transitioning service members, veterans, military spouses, and Illinois National Guard and Reservists, fostering a skilled workforce that contributes to the state’s economic growth and national security.
In Illinois, TFM will partner with local veterans’ affairs and workforce development agencies, employers, and academic institutions to identify existing programs and develop new career pathways for veterans. This initiative will share best practices that have proven successful (such as UMAP), ensuring that Illinois veterans benefit from programs tailored to address both immediate and long-term employment needs.
UMAP’s Pivotal Role
UMAP is set to play a pivotal role in TFM’s growth, both nationally and in Illinois. Local 18007 Business Manager Sean Gaurige emphasized, “The UWUA’s UMAP program is the longest-running, most successful veterans training to employment program out there. Everyone’s looking to us to figure out the secret of our success. We want to share our experience and help as many veterans as possible.”
On July 9 and 22, Gaurige and UWUA’s Power for America (P4A) Lead UMAP Instructor Brian Murray traveled to Washington for White House meetings with representatives from the U.S. Department of Labor, Veterans Administration, member unions of the AFL-CIO Union Veterans Council (UVC) and Vote Vets. Corporate representatives, including Peoples Gas Interim President Bill Mastoris, a US Navy veteran, were also on-hand. Mastoris has first-hand experience with UMAP graduates and wants to help TFM expand its program into other companies and industries.
Following the July 22 White House meeting, Gaurige proudly shared, “Rick Passarelli’s vision for the veteran community and veterans in our union is not only recognized but celebrated in every meeting I have attended by leaders from the Department of Labor, Department of Defense, VA, and veterans service organizations across the country. This meeting was no different, and I was honored to sit at the table to represent the UMAP program.”
By bridging the gap between policy and practical implementation, the Task Force Movement is poised to significantly enhance the employment prospects for veterans, thereby contributing to the overall economy and national security.
Photo caption 1: The Task Force Movement’s first state-wide initiative launched on May 22 in Illinois, where UWUA representatives shared details on UMAP with officials from the U.S. Department of Labor, Veterans Administration, U.S. Army Soldier for Life, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and over 100 other public-private partners.