Context and Challenge

The D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University launched the Onward to Opportunity (O2O) program in 2015, targeting a key challenge: easing the transition of veterans and their families into technology careers and other careers in the private sector, after their tenure in the United States’ Armed Forces. 

With over 200,000 transitioning service members entering the civilian workforce each year, gaps in skills, confidence, and employer connections can hinder veterans’ success. The Onward to Opportunity program offers reskilling programs to returning servicemen and women and their spouse of all age groups for in-demand technology certifications in cloud, cybersecurity, networking and project management.

Approach and Solution

IVMF’s funding model is an innovative blend of corporate sponsorships, federal grants, and private donations, creating a sustainable funding base while aligning with mission-driven partnerships. The IVMF received $18.9M in funding in FY23, in the combination of $10M grants and $8.9M gifts. Key funding partners of O2O’s programs are JP Morgan Chase, Walmart, Google, USAA, Fiserv, and others. These funding partners, in many cases, are also employment partners that seek to place graduates of the program for positions within their organization upon completion of Skillsoft curriculum and achievement of the related certifications.

Skillsoft partners with IVMF to deliver industry-specific training curricula focused on high-demand certifications in areas such as cybersecurity, cloud computing, networking, and project management. The training is offered at no cost to veterans, service members, and their families, helping them achieve marketable skills for today’s job market. Further, IVMF collaborates with government agencies and employers to ensure that training aligns with industry standards and certification requirements.

IVMF supports veterans of all ages and backgrounds, including military spouses, and aims to reach underrepresented groups. Female learners, who make up 31% of the program, benefit from certifications and targeted career coaching, and O2O tracks employment outcomes to ensure equitable impact across demographic groups.

O2O has served 100,000 veterans and military family members, with high participant satisfaction driven by tailored learning and mentorship. Over 60% of O2O learners receive a verified employment outcome of either a new hire or enhanced employment through upskilling. O2O graduates experience a 2x job mobility rate within the first six months and, on average, earn starting salaries $7,000 higher than their peers, demonstrating enhanced employability and confidence in the job market. Veterans at the E-6 pay grade and below who complete O2O training enjoy an average increase of $13,000 in annual earnings.

Critical Lessons Learned 

There are four key lessons learned to deliver this skills development fund

1. Diversify Funding Sources: A robust funding model mitigates reliance on single-source funding. By combining multiple sources of funding from corporate sponsorships, government grants, gifts from educational institutions and donors, and philanthropic donations, IVMF reduces funding risks while ensuring long-term stability. The funding breakdown is 40% from employers, 8% governments, 26% educational institutions, and 26% donor agencies and/or philanthropic organizations.

2. Foster Strong Stakeholder Relationships: Building partnerships with employment-focused organizations, funders, and training providers enhances program reach and ensures alignment with market demands, creating pathways to meaningful careers.

3. Prioritize Measurable Impact: IVMF’s commitment to tracking engagement, job placements, and salary increases provides evidence of program effectiveness, attracting ongoing support and helping adapt programs to meet emerging needs.

4. Align Program with In-Demand Skills – IVMF continually analyzes the evolving workforce needs for skills with its partners and through its partnership with Skillsoft. This provides real-time insights on skilling and talent development themes across the enterprise landscape.

5. Adapt and Innovate: Regularly updating programs to align with industry requirements and veteran needs keeps offerings relevant and valuable. As new skill demands emerge, IVMF’s adaptability is crucial to maintaining its impact.