Starbucks Focuses on Hiring Vets, Military Spouses

Coffee giant intends to support at least 10,000 hires in five years.

November 07, 2013

SEATTLE, WA — In response to its record growth and an anticipated 500,000-person future global workforce, Starbucks Coffee Company announced a commitment to developing a dedicated hiring strategy for veterans and active duty spouses, supporting at least 10,000 hires in five years.

“The value we are creating for shareholders is tied to the values that guide us as an organization. As I look at the opportunity ahead of us, we’re going to need to hire men and women with like-minded values and the right job skills in order to continue our current levels of growth,” said Howard Schultz, Starbucks chairman, president and chief executive officer. “The more than one million transitioning U.S. veterans and almost one and half million military spouses — with their diverse background and experience — share our mission-driven sensibility and work ethic and can build long-term careers at Starbucks as they return home.”

The coffee chain is establishing a multi-year hiring strategy dedicated to matching the transferable skill sets of veterans and military spouses with the talent needed across the Starbucks enterprise. Its announcement was met with praise from key military figures.

“One of the most significant challenges our veterans face is a corporation’s inability to understand and translate the skills of military service into a meaningful private sector role,” said former Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates. “Veterans and military spouses represent one of the most underutilized talent pools in our country and, without the proper career path, will continue to go untapped. Companies like Starbucks recognize this opportunity and are moving swiftly and aggressively to match the jobs they will create in the future with the talent returning to America over the next several years.”

“All over the country, companies like Starbucks are stepping up to serve our veterans and military families the same way they’ve served our country. Our servicemen and women lead in complex environments, build teams, and are natural managers of people and resources to get things done. That’s why hiring veterans isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s also a smart business decision,” said Colonel Rich Morales, Executive Director, Joining Forces.
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