TEMPE, Ariz. –
The Partnership for Youth Success program held a partnership signing agreement between the U.S. Army and Integrated Electrical Services Communications Jan. 21 at IES headquarters in Tempe, Arizona.
The agreement between IES and PaYS is part of a program designed to prepare, train and connect Soldiers to future employers.
The PaYS program ensures Soldiers are guaranteed a job interview with a PaYS partner of their choice after completing their Army Reserve training or first term of active duty service. The program provides employers with a pool of highly skilled, motivated and professional candidates from which they can fill their personnel needs.
The partnership with IES is a vital step forward in providing the local job market with qualified workers, which gives back to the community, said Capt. James Hur, executive officer, Phoenix Recruiting Battalion.
“We are proud to be associated with this outstanding institution, who will now have access to some of the finest young Americans this nation has to offer and keep them a part of the local community workforce,” Hur said. “IES Communications can now be proud of the fact they are directly helping young men and women who willing to sacrifice their lives to protect America's freedom.”
The company can choose from a range of varied job seekers, who represent the diverse nature of the U.S. Army and society, Hur said.
“The Army seeks qualified resilient and fit people of character who represent the diversity of America- this is the pool of potential employees IES Communications will now have access to,” Hur continued. “These are candidates who have established a positive work ethic, have values, have entry to mid-level leadership skills, are tested free and clear of drugs and have honorably served or are serving their country.”
Hur said the standards for military service are higher than ever, making the job candidates among a select group of individuals.
“Most people are not aware, but the standards for military service are high. More than 70 percent of today’s youth do not qualify for military service,” he added. “Many are also unaware of the many educational opportunities available in the Army, including the Montgomery GI Bill, Post 9/11 GI Bill and Army College Fund, not to mention monetary enlistment incentives up to $40,000.”
“We value our Pays partners and are proud to be able to supply IES Communications with qualified and talented young Soldiers, who will undoubtedly be a major asset. We look forward to a long and profitable partnership,” Hur concluded.
Also speaking was Matt Simmes, president, IES Communications, who said the company is excited to be partnered with the U.S. Army, whose core values are closely aligned with those of IES.
“The overall goal in our business vision is to process developed and dedicated employees who provide service everywhere we go as a company,” Simmes said. “The U.S. Army does that better than anyone else, on a much larger scale than us.”
Through their development and enrichment as Soldiers and IES employees, these workers can spread this initiative throughout their communities and anyone they touch along the way, Simmes added.
“We’ve seen this hundreds of times through the countless veterans that either work for us today, or have worked for us in the past,” Simmes said. "They have helped us grow through quality work and helping touch each individual they come across at IES.”
“It’s an honor to be a part of the PaYS program and we thank the U.S. Army for giving us the chance to work with them and give something back,” Simmes concluded.