Hiring Veterans and The T-Shaped Model

Tech One IT has relied upon the T-Shaped model to hire for our Technology Apprenticeship Program (TAP) for the past few years. Today, we’d like to discuss how the T-Shaped model works as a hiring model for veterans transitioning out of the military.

“It doesn’t take a hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle.”
– General Norman Schwarzkopf, U.S. Army.

 

While active duty, US military personnel are trained to live according to stringent moral and cultural standards. This helps each serviceman or woman to perform their duties to the best of their ability as a member of the squad, platoon, and company. When transitioning out of the military, one of the hardest things to adjust to is the lack of camaraderie. Transitioning to an apprenticeship with Tech One has proven to be an easier adjustment than standard forms of employment. Our apprenticeship model places veterans entering the workforce into pods, similar to squads, where they work together, reporting to a manager and often having a mentor on the team as well.

 

As we hire all apprentices according to the T-Shaped model, so do we consider our veterans. Here are some of the characteristics we consider that suit veterans well:

 

Humility

 

“It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.”

– Harry S Truman, 33rd President of the United States, and former Colonel in the U.S. Army

 

All TAP apprentices must be able to learn and grow from the experience.

 

Many apprentices are placed on more than one assignment before being hired full-time with an organization, and this allows them to learn how to mold their skills to different cultures and teams. This learning opportunity is invaluable, but without humility, the new hire may find it difficult to accept constructive criticism without taking offense.

 

Analytical Thinking

 

“In preparing for battle I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.”

– Dwight D. Eisenhower, 34th President of the United States, and former General of the Army

 

Analytical thinking is a trait that is nurtured by all branches of the military. Similarly in business, it is hard to earn a promotion without this skill. During the interview process, Tech One looks for this trait, and throughout all apprenticeships, we continue to nurture and strengthen the skill. Our TAP graduates go on to make excellent leaders and managers due to their strong analytical thinking skills.

 

Leadership

 

“The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help them or concluded that you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership.” Colin Powell, 65th United States Secretary of State and 12th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff 

 

Leadership is a character trait as well as a skill set. Natural-born leaders are heard within teams, they come up with ideas, and make things happen. However, the trait can be squashed by bad management or lack of boundaries. It will be strengthened by the right opportunities, like TAP.

 

Diligence and Resourcefulness

 

“There’s likely a place in paradise for people who tried hard, but what really matters is succeeding. If that requires you to change, that’s your mission.”
– General Stanley McChrystal, U.S. Army Retired

 

No situation is perfect. In the military, personnel is taught to find ways to meet goals regardless of hardships. In TAP, we also help pods work towards meeting an end goal on deadline, using smart thinking, tenacity, and the resources at hand to overcome all obstacles.

 

At Tech One IT, we are extremely proud to work with military transition resource offices to help veterans get jobs in technology. Our Technology Apprenticeship Program is an easy transition, but we also place veterans in roles within our technology solutions division.

 

To check out our open jobs, click here: https://techoneit.com/careers/

 

To learn more about the Technology Apprenticeship Program, click here: https://techoneit.oorwin.com/careers/index.html#/job/e9876bf61893ac62113e3ff3e516783c6810595a

 

 

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