Savannah River Site’s managing and operating contractor, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS), recently partnered with Hiring Our Heroes, a U.S. Chamber of Commerce foundation, which helps companies provide on-the-job training to active-duty members of the U.S. military who are transitioning out of service. This program will help SRNS fill highly needed skillsets, while also offering veterans a chance to continue serving their country.

The partnership effort was led by Scott Stephens of Packaging & Transportation Services (P&TS), a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. “We needed some specific expertise in P&TS and a new Department of Defense SkillBridge/Hiring Our Heroes Program provided an excellent opportunity to access highly skilled service members to the benefit of both SRNS and military veterans. This allowed SRNS access to the unmatched work ethic military veterans bring to the workforce,” Stephens said.

Hiring Our Heroes allows retiring service members an opportunity to work for companies across the country in the last few months of active duty, at no cost to the company. “This effort is a win-win-win,” said SRNS Manager, Talent Acquisition Bryan Ortner. “The company wins, because we get to bring in experienced labor in specific skillsets where it’s most needed and provide company specific on-the-job training at no cost to the company; the U.S. military wins by helping find great jobs for transitioning military personnel; and, most importantly, the veteran wins by transferring their experience directly into a career.” The first veteran to come to SRNS as part of the program, Eric Heath, started in P&TS in May. “I’m extremely grateful to be a part of this program,” Heath said. “Training at SRNS allows me to take all of my experience from the military in Munitions Shipping and Receiving and apply it here.

This program has made the burden of transitioning a lot easier, as I now have a clear path for a career after retirement.” SRNS is pursuing other areas where specific skillsets are needed that could be filled by a member of Hiring Our Heroes. “As a former veteran, finding pathways that give veterans’ career opportunities at SRNS is near and dear to me,” said Senior Vice President of Workforce Services and Talent Management Francine Burroughs. “Hiring our Heroes is a seamless conduit that will increase the veteran applicant pool exponentially, hopefully resulting in many full-service veteran hires. These men and women have served our country as active military and now can continue to support national defense missions working for SRNS.” Savannah River Nucle