▲ SK Battery America joined a parade to celebrate Veterans Day in the U.S. in November 2022 to honor the Georgian veterans.

In the U.S., those who once risked their lives in service to their country struggle to find civilian works after they leave the military. SK Battery America (SKBA) understands the military occupational system and knows how to translate and transfer military experience, so it has been actively hiring veterans.

SKBA has hired 135 military-connected personnel. This military hiring initiative aims to create a place where veterans have access to meaningful work in electric vehicle battery manufacturing and a fulfilling career-path with competitive wage and high-skilled jobs.

SKBA has been attending career fairs at military installations to share information about potential career opportunities and help transition to civilian careers. The company is collaborating with organizations including The Manufacturing Institute, Fort Stewart Heroes MAKE America Logistics Program, Work for Warriors Georgia, Veterans Education Career Transition Resource, Georgia Department of Labor, and the local post for the American Legion to connect military families to SKBA.

▲ Kimberly Dinkins, Senior External Affairs and Military Relations Specialist at SKBA thanked all veterans for their service by providing American flag lapel pins on behalf of SKBA to celebrate Veterans Day in November 2022.

“It can be challenging to transition from the military lifestyle to a civilian one, even for the career veteran. The mission is to ease the transition,” said Kimberly Dinkins, Senior External Affairs and Military Relations Specialist at SKBA. “For all intents and purposes, we are off to a great start with our partners in the military community. Our success is due to our shared vision, goals, and values regarding the military-connected community. The mission is clear, and this is to ensure that we are always aiming to bridge the gap for those that are unemployed, underemployed or looking to transition to a purposeful and cutting-edge technology role.

 
 
| SKBA, a partner of the “Work for Warriors Georgia” program
 

▲ Georgia Governor Brian Kemp (center in the left photo) and Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development Pat Wilson (center in the right photo) deliver congratulatory remarks at the Georgia National Guard and SKBA’s ‘Work for Warriors Georgia’ program partnership signing ceremony in July 2022.

In July 2022, SKBA announced a partnership with the Georgia National Guard’s “Work for Warriors Georgia” program to focus on hiring veterans, servicemembers, retirees, reservists and their families. This program is a premier response to the growing problem of unemployment and underemployment of currently serving Guardsmen and women, and the broader military. It focuses on bridging the gap between service and civilian employment as there is a direct correlation between wellness and readiness of the servicemember and a healthy working environment and relationship with their civilian employer when they are not in uniform.

▲ SK Battery America recruiters conduct on-site interviews with veteran applicants at a career fair held at the National Guard Armory in Hartwell, Georgia, in December 2022.

SK Battery America started SKBA Veterans Association last year. Recently, SKBA opened a Veteran Resource Center at its facility to provide information from benefits, disability, education and beyond. The Veterans Resource Center is an area for veterans and military-connected individuals to meet and simply be themselves; with like-minded individuals. SKBA aims to instill a sense of empowerment as veterans navigate the benefit process and offer a sense of connectedness.

SKBA is honored to recognize the dedication, courage and sacrifice of the brave men and women who have served in the military and is committed to helping ensure that is a path toward a future for them as they transition into civilian life. Veterans are an incredible asset to SKBA to fulfill the mission to electrify America for a cleaner future.