With new manufacturing jobs come new chances for Colorado Springs’ veterans – KOAA News 5

Report on Veteran Employment Initiatives and Sustainable Development Goals in Colorado Springs

Introduction: Aligning Local Employment with Global Goals

A local initiative in Colorado Springs, Colorado, exemplifies the successful integration of military veterans into the civilian workforce, directly contributing to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through a partnership between the nationwide “Hiring Our Heroes” program and the semiconductor manufacturer Entegris, veterans are finding meaningful careers, highlighting a model for sustainable economic growth and social inclusion.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The program provides a direct pathway to full and productive employment for veterans, a key target of SDG 8. By connecting former military personnel with high-value manufacturing roles, the initiative promotes sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth.

• Case Study – Katie Rant: A veteran with four years of service at Fort Carson, transitioned into a manufacturing career at Entegris, a field she had not previously considered.
• Case Study – Michael Figueroa: After 22 years in the military, Figueroa utilized the program’s resume-building and networking services to secure a position with Entegris in Colorado Springs.

Entegris has established a corporate goal of hiring 50% veterans at its new facility, a tangible commitment to providing decent work for this specific demographic.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

The expansion of Entegris with a new 135,000-square-foot semiconductor plant supports SDG 9 by building resilient infrastructure and promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization. The strategic location of Colorado Springs within the resurgent U.S. semiconductor manufacturing hub fosters innovation and strengthens domestic industrial capacity.

SDG 10 and SDG 11: Reduced Inequalities and Sustainable Communities

The “Hiring Our Heroes” program actively works to reduce inequalities (SDG 10) by providing targeted support to veterans, ensuring they have equal opportunities to transition into civilian life. This contributes to making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable (SDG 11) by retaining skilled talent within the community and strengthening the local economic base.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

This initiative is a prime example of a multi-stakeholder partnership (SDG 17) between the private sector (Entegris) and a national employment program (“Hiring Our Heroes”). This collaboration is essential for achieving the sustainable development agenda.

1. The program connects a skilled talent pool (veterans) with industries facing labor demands.
2. It leverages the unique leadership and technical skills acquired during military service for industrial applications.
3. It provides a replicable model for other corporations and communities seeking to support veteran employment and achieve local economic development goals.

The veterans involved noted that leadership experience from military service is a highly transferable asset, enabling them to secure roles in fields where they might lack direct prior experience, further reinforcing the value of such targeted employment programs.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The article directly addresses this goal by focusing on job creation and employment opportunities. It highlights the “Hiring Our Heroes” program, which connects veterans to civilian jobs, and the expansion of the company Entegris, which contributes to local economic growth in Colorado Springs.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The establishment of a new “135,000-square-foot semiconductor plant” by Entegris is a clear example of developing new industrial infrastructure. The focus on the semiconductor industry, a key component of modern technology, also relates to promoting innovation and sustainable industrialization.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The article touches upon this goal by showcasing a program specifically designed to assist a particular demographic group—veterans—in their transition to civilian life. By providing targeted support for resume building and connecting them with employers, the “Hiring Our Heroes” program aims to reduce potential inequalities in employment opportunities for former military personnel.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 8.5: “By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men…” The article aligns with this target by describing efforts to secure productive employment for veterans, a specific group within the workforce. The stories of Katie Rant and Michael Figueroa finding careers at Entegris exemplify the achievement of this target on an individual level.
• Target 9.2: “Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and, by 2030, significantly raise industry’s share of employment…” The opening of the new Entegris plant directly contributes to industrialization in Colorado Springs. The company’s hiring efforts increase the manufacturing industry’s share of local employment, as discussed in the article.
• Target 10.2: “By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of… or other status.” The initiative by Entegris to actively recruit and hire veterans is a direct action to promote the economic inclusion of this group. The company’s specific hiring goal demonstrates a commitment to empowering veterans in the civilian workforce.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for Target 10.2 and 8.5: The article provides a clear, measurable indicator with Entegris’s goal to have “50% veterans” in its new plant’s workforce. This percentage serves as a direct metric to track the progress of economic inclusion for veterans within the company. The article notes that with the hiring of two veterans, the company is “at least two people closer to reaching that target,” implying this metric is being actively monitored.
• Indicator for Target 9.2: The construction of a “new 135,000-square-foot semiconductor plant” is a tangible indicator of investment in industrial infrastructure. The number of jobs created by this new facility, while not specified as a total number, is an implied indicator of the growth of industry’s share of employment.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Summary

Source: koaa.com