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Private companies and nonprofit organizations alike have doubled down on their efforts to hire military veterans and former members of the U.S. military, according to The Wall Street Journal (subscription).

Manufacturers’ role: While the Journal deals with a broad trend and not manufacturing specifically, manufacturers are front and center in the efforts to hire from this community. The Manufacturing Institute’s Heroes MAKE America program is leading the way, by training transitioning service members, Guard members, reservists, veterans and active-duty military spouses for rewarding careers in the industry and connecting them with employers who are eager to hire them.

What’s happening: “Efforts to spur hiring of U.S. military veterans have ramped up in recent years. Many private-sector companies and nonprofits are introducing or expanding programs that help match veterans with civilian jobs,” according to the Journal.

• “Some also are rolling out initiatives that aim to address specific pain points, such as military-spouse unemployment caused by frequent moves, and the inability of many veterans to advance in private-sector careers.”

Hiring: Many organizations are looking for the kinds of skills that military veterans offer.

• Around 250 companies, for example, have banded together to form an organization called Veteran Jobs Mission, which is committed to hiring individuals from the military community. The initiative intends to hire a total of 2 million vets and 200,000 military spouses over the next decade.

Career services: Other programs are focused on supporting veterans who are seeking a new job or a new career, with services like resume support and networking sessions. The nonprofit Call of Duty Endowment, for example, provides free job-related help to veterans.

• This kind of assistance can be critical; according to a study through the Veterans Metrics Initiative, veterans are almost three times as likely to be hired if they practice interviewing with a coach and twice as likely to be hired if they receive qualified help with their resume.

Entrepreneurship training: Some veterans are interested in starting a new business, and programs across the country are looking to give them the tools they need. From virtual programs to yearlong incubators, these opportunities provide education and hands-on support for aspiring business leaders. 

Military spouses: Some programs focus on the importance of spouses and partners as members of the military community—and the challenges that these spouses and partners experience with joblessness. Some employers are focusing specifically on the challenge of military spouse unemployment, and some large companies with offices in different parts of the country are helping spouses and partners find roles in new communities when they have to move.

What we’re saying: “Manufacturers are doing their part to unleash the skills and positive qualities that veterans develop through time in the military,” said MI Vice President of Program Execution Herb Grant. “The Heroes MAKE America program has helped hundreds of graduates find high-paying, lifelong careers and turn their impressive skills and dedication to the industry that builds America.”