The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center of Waltham and the Massachusetts Medical Device Industry Council of Boston joined forces to launch a mentoring program for veterans, designed to help returning members of the military return to civilian life.
The initiative, which is part of the Medical Technology Veterans Program unveiled at the AdvaMed 2012 medical device conference in Boston last month, will train up to 50 Massachusetts veterans to enter the medical technology workforce.
“An important goal of the MLSC is to promote access for residents of the Commonwealth to the skilled and well-paying jobs in our life sciences sectors. The MVP Mentoring Program creates this opportunity for local veterans who have put their lives on the line and are now returning home and re-entering the workforce,” president & CEO of the MLSC Dr. Susan Windham-Bannister said in prepared remarks. “I can think of no better use of the Center’s funds than to sponsor this important program.”
The national unemployment rate for recently returned veterans is 10%, higher than the general unemployment rate of 7.9%, and many returning veterans already have skills in that could apply to the medtech industry, according to the press release.
The program plans to hold a 1-day seminar on February 14 at the University of Massachusetts, and participation is free.
In August, the MLSC and Danvers cardiac device maker Abiomed (NSDQ:ABMD) each committed $25,000 to support the MedTech Veterans Program’s “Boot Camp for Returning Heroes.”