The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
April 29, 2013

Fact Sheet: Administration Partners with Industry to Get Service Members Credentialed for High-Demand Jobs

Fact Sheet: Administration Partners with Industry to Get Service Members Credentialed for High-Demand Jobs

Today, speaking at the White House Forum on Military Credentialing and Licensing, First Lady Michelle Obama will announce the IT Training and Certification Partnership, a new public-private partnership that will enable thousands of service members to earn industry-recognized information technology (IT) certifications before they transition from military service. The Administration will also announce a new grant program through the Department of Health and Human Services that will help veterans with health care experience pursue professional nursing careers and earn a nursing license.

Additionally, the event will feature four roundtables that will lay plans for the launch of additional public-private initiatives that will streamline the ability of service members and veterans to earn the civilian certifications and licenses required for high-demand jobs in emergency medical services, healthcare, and transportation sectors as well as streamline the ability for service members and veterans to translate military experience into academic credit. Key stakeholders from the private sector, the military services, industry trade associations, unions, educational institutions, state legislatures, veteran service organizations, and state licensing boards will participate in the sector-specific roundtables.

Today’s announcement builds upon President Obama’s June 2012 announcement of partnerships with the manufacturing sector that enable service members to earn high-demand advanced manufacturing certifications, and the establishment of the Department of Defense’s Military Credentialing and Licensing Task Force. Additionally, the event is an extension of the First Lady’s challenge to our Nation’s Governors in February 2013 to take executive or legislative action to help our troops get the credentials they need to successfully transition to the civilian labor market by the end of 2015. Mrs. Obama also recently attended the bill signing with Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley for that state’s Veterans Full Employment Act of 2013 and met with sailors at the U.S. Naval Academy who stand to benefit from the legislation.

A New Public-Private Partnership to Connect Veterans with High-Tech Jobs

Last June, the Department of Defense (DoD), at the President’s direction, established a Military Credentialing and Licensing Task Force. The Task Force has focused its initial efforts on: (1) identifying military specialties that readily transfer to high-demand jobs; (2) working with civilian credentialing and licensing associations to address gaps between military training programs and certification and licensing requirements; and (3) providing service members and veterans with greater access to necessary certification and licensing exams. The Task Force’s work is focused on industries that have an identified need for more skilled workers and stand to benefit from military expertise and training, including manufacturing, first responders, healthcare, information technology, and transportation and logistics.

Today’s announcement is the second major partnership developed through the Task Force, and will provide opportunities for up to 161,000 service members to gain industry-recognized, nationally-portable certifications necessary for 12 high-demand technology professions, including computer programmers, quality assurance engineers, and IT security analysts. The technology professions targeted through this partnership are expected to generate more than 1.8 million job opportunities by 2020, and have an average annual salary of more than $81,000. Due to the high-quality of their military training, our veterans have the skill sets that employers demand to fill these positions.

Through the Military Credentialing and Licensing Task Force, the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps have worked with Cisco and a broad consortium of IT corporations and credentialing associations to expand the availability of certifications to military personnel with skills in high-demand areas such as computer programming, information assurance, network administration, and program design. Through this partnership, service members will be able to partake in a gap analysis of their IT skills and then test for and earn civilian credentials above and beyond those required for their military occupation. Additionally, during the pilot phase of this program, service members will be able to participate in bridge training programs, free of cost, if the gap analysis indicates it is needed for the service member to obtain his or her civilian credential. This partnership targets service members who are in the process of transitioning out of the military and into the civilian workforce as well as service members at early- and mid-stages of their military careers. Participating service members who are in the process of transitioning to the civilian workforce will be connected to resources that can link those service members with employers ready to hire by state and region

Although the majority of IT specialists in the military receive training equivalent to their civilian IT counterparts, few, on their own, seek additional off-duty industry training that can lead towards additional IT certifications above and beyond those required for their military occupation. For example, training for the Navy's Information Technology and Information Technology Submarines occupations match up 100 percent with the CompTIA A+ and CompTIA Security+ certifications that are necessary for a variety of IT jobs. However, the IT Training and Certification Partnership can be used to leverage additional training opportunities that can directly contribute towards service members attaining civilian IT-related certifications beyond those that are provided in-service.

Industry leaders have committed support to this initiative in the following ways:

• As part of this initiative, Cisco Systems, along with Futures, Inc., developed the IT Training and Certification Program that will match Military Occupation Codes (MOCs) with private sector core technology career paths. In an effort to leverage the unique skills, experience, and qualifications that military personnel possess, Cisco also worked with its partners, Global Knowledge and Pearson VUE, to provide ANSI-accredited Cisco training courses that will allow transitioning military personnel to prepare for Cisco CCNA certification exams and other globally recognized industry certifications at no cost to participants. Through the opportunities provided by the training program, participants will receive fast track training and IT certifications that can help address the nation’s workforce gap in IT jobs. Cisco is also one of several IT companies that have agreed to send a letter to its more than 15,000 U.S. channel partners and suppliers encouraging them to hire and train veterans.

• Microsoft Corporation, in partnership with Global Knowledge and Prometric, will donate 500 exam vouchers and partially underwrite the cost of training for service members to receive Microsoft official skills training. Service members participating in the program will have the opportunity to attain the skills needed to get hired in today’s competitive IT job market. The training and exam vouchers are designed to help service members meet the criteria and pass the exams to achieve industry-recognized Microsoft Certification credentials that can help support a transition from the military to frontline jobs in the field of Information Technology. By earning a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) credential, service members will have access to MCP benefits, such as MCP job boards, networking opportunities and certification credentials.

• Oracle is proud to work with the White House, Office of the Secretary of Defense, and community colleges across the United States to help service members transition their skills for integration into the civilian IT workforce. Through its Oracle Academy and Oracle University Workforce Development programs, Oracle is committed to delivering technology, courseware, career-readiness and computer science resources for Database Design, SQL, and Java. Service members may participate in these Oracle education programs in a variety of formats, including online and in-class training, as standalone classes or as part of degree-granting programs. For transitioning military, Oracle University is also providing support for its industry-recognized certifications and career pathways. In partnership with Cisco and Futures, Oracle is contacting its more than 20,000 U.S. channel partners and suppliers encouraging them to hire and train veterans.

• As part of the IT Training and Certification Program, CompTIA is donating vouchers for certification exams, such as CompTIA A+ and CompTIA Security+, to program participants. This continues CompTIA’s longstanding commitment to the Department of Defense and the Armed Forces. CompTIA participates in the DoD Information Assurance Program and contributes to the Wounded Warriors Project through its foundation, Creating IT Futures. Beyond these activities, CompTIA has previously committed to train and certify 35,000 veterans and military spouses by the end of 2013, and 92,000 by 2016, with an IT certification through its Troops to Tech Careers initiative.

• NetApp is pleased to work with the White House to offer web-based training and a storage certification to military service personnel. The NetApp Certified Storage Associate certification (NCSA) is an entry-level certification designed to familiarize participants with storage technology and terminology. Via its Academic Alliances Program, NetApp will provide veterans and service personnel with NetApp Learning Accounts, access to web-based training classes, the ability to complete hands-on lab exercises through a virtual lab environment, and test vouchers for a local Pearson Vue testing center.

• HP has collaborated with the White House and the military services to assist U.S. service members in their transition to civilian IT jobs. Through the HP ExpertOne program, U.S. service members can earn industry-recognized certifications and achieve job-ready IT skills through hands-on experience. HP ExpertOne working with HP Education Services, an approved US military services training provider, will be contributing HP web based
training and exam vouchers targeting Cloud or Converged Infrastructure administration to the IT Training and Credentialing Program. Additionally, HP ExpertOne will provide community memberships for the pilot population, giving service members access to free learning opportunities, personalized certification recommendations, and a global community of IT professionals and HP experts.

• Futures Inc. is providing the IT Pipeline platform that will be the centralized hub for matching and connecting transitioning and Reserve Component personnel with civilian training, certification, and employment opportunities. IT Pipeline is designed to address the assessment, training, credentialing and hiring challenges faced by our military personnel as they transition to civilian employment. The IT Pipeline platform will also enable employers to match their jobs with transitioning personnel based on their military training, experience, education, and credentials.

• A key partner in this effort is Global Knowledge, a leader in IT and business training. The company is providing training scholarships to exiting military, enabling them to obtain the gap training needed to gain the industry-recognized IT certifications civilian employers value and often require. The program courses are mapped to the most in-demand IT jobs such as application development, network security, and IT project management.

• GogoTraining is providing access to their online self-paced Information Technology training platform to help transitioning military personnel prepare for careers in the private sector. With the help of GogoTraining’s learning platform, experts bring their classroom courses to life online enabling service members to fit training into their schedule while still receiving the same high quality classroom content and support. GogoTraining courses and programs will help exiting personnel prepare for careers in computer programming, database administration, software and mobile application development, and obtain key certifications in areas such as CompTIA and Oracle.

• SANS Institute and Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC) are proud to be part of this pilot program, helping to train and certify service members returning to the civilian workforce. SANS and GIAC are providing training and certification scholarships to the pilot program. SANS is the largest source for information security training in the world and GIAC is the leading provider of technical, job-duty-specific information security certifications and its exams validate the hands-on ability of practitioners around the world.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
April 28, 2013

Statement by the Press Secretary on the Swearing-In of Prime Minister Enrico Letta of Italy

 

On behalf of the American people, President Obama warmly congratulates Prime Minister Enrico Letta of Italy and the new Italian government on their swearing-in. The United States and Italy share an enduring and essential friendship -- one built on shared values and common commitment to promote peace, liberty, and prosperity both regionally and across the globe, including as NATO allies. The President looks forward to working closely with Prime Minister Letta and President Napolitano as our two countries jointly seek to promote trade, jobs, and growth on both sides of the Atlantic and tackle today’s complex security challenges. 

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
April 27, 2013

Readout of Vice President Biden’s Meeting with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili

Vice President Biden met this evening with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili at the Sedona Forum to discuss recent developments in Georgia and the continuation of Georgia’s democratic and economic reforms.  The Vice President encouraged Georgia’s presidency, government, and parliament to work constructively together in the months ahead to maintain positive momentum on Georgia's path of progress.  The Vice President underscored the United States’ strong and enduring commitment to Georgia and its people, and that we look forward to deepening our partnership in the years to come.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
April 26, 2013

President Obama Signs North Dakota Emergency Declaration

The President today declared an emergency exists in the State of North Dakota and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from flooding beginning on April 22, 2013, and continuing.

The President's action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the counties of Cass, Grand Forks, Pembina, Richland, Traill, and Walsh.

Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency.  Emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance, will be provided at 75 percent federal funding. 

W. Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Gary R. Stanley as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. 

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
April 26, 2013

President Obama Signs Kansas Disaster Declaration

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Kansas and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by a snowstorm during the period of February 20-23, 2013.

Federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency protective measures and the repair or replacement of buildings and equipment damaged by the snowstorm in the counties of Barber, Barton, Dickinson, Ellis, Franklin, Harper, Harvey, Hodgeman, Kingman, Marion, McPherson, Ness, Osage, Osborne, Pawnee, Phillips, Pratt, Rice, Rooks, Rush, Russell, Smith, and Stafford.

In addition, federal funding is available to the state and eligible local governments on a cost-sharing basis for snow assistance for a continuous 48-hour period during or proximate to the incident period in the counties of Barton, Dickinson, Ellis, Franklin, Harper, Harvey, Hodgeman, Kingman, Marion, McPherson, Ness, Osage, Osborne, Pawnee, Phillips, Pratt, Rice, Rooks, Rush, Russell, Smith, and Stafford.  This assistance will be provided for a 72-hour period in Barber County.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

W. Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Joe M. Girot as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. 

FEMA said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
April 25, 2013

Presidential Nominations Sent to the Senate

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE:

William S. Jasien, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board for a term expiring October 11, 2015, vice Terrence A. Duffy, term expired.

Nanci E. Langley, of Hawaii, to be a Commissioner of the Postal Regulatory Commission for a term expiring November 22, 2018. (Reappointment)

Brent Franklin Nelsen, of South Carolina, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting for a term expiring January 31, 2016, vice Gay Hart Gaines, term expired.

Howard A. Shelanski, of Pennsylvania, to be Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, vice Cass R. Sunstein, resigned.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
April 25, 2013

President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key Administration posts:

• William S. Jasien – Member, Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board
• Brent F. Nelsen –  Member, Board of Directors of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting

President Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key Administration posts:

William S. Jasien, Nominee for Member, Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board
William S. Jasien is currently the CEO and Managing Director of StoneHedge Global Partners, Inc., a position he has held since 2012.  From 1993 to 2012, Mr. Jasien held a number of executive positions at ING, including President of the Government Business Division, Senior Vice President of the Individual Business Group, Senior Vice President for Institutional Business Development, and Vice President of the Customer Service Division.  Prior to this, he served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Finance and Management at the Department of the Treasury from 1991 to 1993.  From 1989 to 1991, he was Director for Congressional and Public Affairs at Resolution Trust Corporation.  Mr. Jasien worked in the Office of the Vice President from 1987 to 1989, and started his career as a Legislative Assistant to Senator Paula Hawkins in 1985.  He has served as a Director on the Board of Directors of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation since 2007.  Mr. Jasien received a B.S. from James Madison University.

Dr. Brent F. Nelsen, Nominee for Member, Board of Directors of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting
Dr. Brent F. Nelsen is a Professor of Political Science at Furman University, a position he has held since 2002.  He has served as Chair of the South Carolina Educational Television Commission since 2011.  From 2003 to 2009, he served as Chair of the Department of Political Science at Furman University, and has held various teaching positions there since 1990.  He was President of the South Carolina Political Science Association from 2009 to 2010, and is a member of the American Political Science Association.  Dr. Nelsen received a B.A. from Wheaton College, and an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
April 25, 2013

President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key Administration posts:

• Nanci E. Langley – Commissioner, Postal Regulatory Commission
• Howard A. Shelanski – Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget

President Obama said, “Our nation will be greatly served by the talent and expertise these individuals bring to their new roles.  I am grateful they have agreed to serve in this Administration, and I look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead.”

President Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key Administration posts:

Nanci E. Langley, Nominee for Commissioner, Postal Regulatory Commission
Nanci E. Langley is currently a Commissioner of the Postal Regulatory Commission, a position she has held since 2008.  She has served as Vice Chairman twice, most recently in 2012.  Previously, Ms. Langley was Director of the Office of Public Affairs & Government Relations at the Postal Regulatory Commission from 2007 to 2008.  She served from 1999 to 2007 as Deputy Staff Director of the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs’ Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia.  From 1990 to 1999, she served as a Senior Legislative Assistant in U.S. Senator Daniel Akaka’s office, and was Communications Director for U.S. Senator Spark Matsunaga from 1983 to 1990.  Ms. Langley received a B.A. from the University of Southern California.

Howard A. Shelanski, Nominee for Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget
Howard A. Shelanski is the Director of the Bureau of Economics at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), a position he has held since 2012.  Mr. Shelanski is currently on leave from the Georgetown University Law Center, where he has been a professor since 2011.  From 2011 to 2012, he was also Of Counsel to the law firm Davis, Polk & Wardwell.  Prior to this, he was the Deputy Director for Antitrust in the FTC's Bureau of Economics from 2009 to 2011.  Before joining the FTC, Mr. Shelanski was on the faculty at the University of California at Berkeley from 1997 to 2009.  He served as Chief Economist of the Federal Communications Commission from 1999 to 2000 and as Senior Economist for the President's Council of Economic Advisers at the White House from 1998 to 1999.  He was an associate with Kellogg, Huber, Hansen, Todd & Evans from 1995 to 1997.  He served as a clerk for Justice Antonin G. Scalia of the United States Supreme Court, for Judge Louis H. Pollak of the U.S. District Court in Philadelphia, and for Judge Stephen F. Williams of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.  Mr. Shelanski received a B.A. from Haverford College, and a J.D. and Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley.

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
April 25, 2013

Readout of Vice President Biden’s Meeting with His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan

The Vice President hosted His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan for breakfast at the Naval Observatory today.  The Vice President and the King discussed how best to advance a political transition to a peaceful, democratic post-Assad Syria where moderates are empowered.  The Vice President underscored the strength of the U.S.- Jordanian relationship and noted enduring U.S. support for Jordan.  The King will meet with President Obama on Friday.  

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
April 24, 2013

Statement from the President on the Confirmation of Sylvia Mathews Burwell

I am pleased that the Senate took bipartisan action today to confirm Sylvia Mathews Burwell as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.  Sylvia shares my commitment to growing our economy, shrinking our deficits in a balanced way, and reigniting a rising, thriving middle class.  Sylvia has spent a career fighting for working families, and she was part of an OMB team that presided over three budget surpluses in a row.  Her experience will be especially important as we continue our efforts to replace the indiscriminate budget cuts that are already starting to cost jobs, hurt families, and inconvenience Americans.  Sylvia will be a key member of my economic team, and I look forward to working with her in the years ahead.