Veterans Entrepreneurship Bootcamp…  Quote from this website…

Programs

The Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities (EBV) offers cutting edge, experiential training in entrepreneurship and small business management to post-9/11 veterans with disabilities resulting from their service to our country.

The EBV program is currently offered by eight world-class institutions.

• The Whitman School of Management
• UCLA Anderson School of Management
• Florida State University’s College of Business
• Mays Business School at Texas A&M
• The Krannert School of Management at Purdue University
• The University of Connecticut School of Business
• E. J. Ourso College of Business at Louisiana State University
• School of Hotel Administration, Cornell University*
  *Hospitality/Food & Beverage Focus

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I was really excited to learn about the EBV program on CBS “60 Minutes” tonight!  Veterans learn many skills and acquire leadership qualities while serving in all branches of the Armed Forces of America.  Many come home with challenges and disabilities making the transition back to civilian life difficult, especially finding a job and career path that fits.  Veterans so often need to transition with a thoughtful structure and guidance in an environment that is designed to meet the special needs of warriors returning home to life after war.  The “EBV” model is another example of how local communities should engage and channel educational resources toward helping veterans with readjustment and in workforce development.  Colleges offer the ideal solution, starting at the community college level through small business development programs…   Oregon Coast Community College (OCCC) is a great example of such a program, with the Small Business Development Center.  The program is also expanding to K-12 public schools, including after-school public private partnership (PPP) programs like Neighbors for Kids (NFK) Youth Entrepreneurship.

Teaching veterans how to development business plans and strategies is a great idea that must get more attention and support on a nationwide basis.  We know it works when observing the results of the EBV program as shown on the CBS “60 Minutes” program this last evening.  I personally know it works because my career started after leaving the US Navy in the mid-60’s by using my vocational skills from military training and experience, including starting college to learn sales and business development.  I see the same results with teens who are inspired by the  Neighbors for Kids (NFK) Youth Entrepreneurship Program.  Colleges must play a larger role in workforce development, especially for veterans returning home to life after war…  You can make a positive difference by contacting your community leaders to support this initiative…  Make this a priority and get involved!

Steve Sparks
Author
Reconciliation: A Son’s Story