Toyota launches training program for vets

Toyota Material Handling U.S.A., Inc. (TMHU)  announced the launch of the “Giving Veterans a Lift” operator safety training program. Toyota has committed $25,000 to the program, which will provide discounted forklift operator safety training for veterans and is available through the company’s nationwide network of participating dealers.

“Toyota and its forklift dealers are excited to make this investment and launch a program to assist America’s heroes in finding employment in an economy where Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans experience as much as 15.2 percent unemployment,” said Brett Wood, president of TMHU. “We’re glad our dealer time and knowledge base will help equip veterans with tools needed for those who seek a career in the material handling industry.”

“This program is especially meaningful to me, given that my son served in Afghanistan and Iraq with the Air Force and is currently on active duty in the Air National Guard,” commented Steve Rice, dealer principal of Welch Equipment Company, Inc. “Veterans have valuable skill sets and, as a Toyota dealer, I am proud to extend this opportunity for this deserving group to gain job training and resources.”

Material handling is one of the few fields that is growing, and according to a recent Material Handling Industry of America report increased 18 percent in 2010.

The deadline to apply to the “Giving Veterans a Lift” is Dec. 31, 2011 and training must be completed by Jan. 31, 2012. For additional information, visit:
http://www.toyotaforklift.com/pages/training/veterans.aspx.

For veterans looking for additional employment assistance, Hire Heroes USA Inc.( HHUSA) provides transition assistance, job search assistance, and job placement services to those who have honorably served in the US military – and to their spouses. In order to reduce veteran unemployment, HHUSA prioritizes veterans statistically most likely to be unemployed: veterans of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM, and veterans that are wounded or disabled.