Manpower forms global partnership with US department of state

Manpower Inc. announced today the formation of a new global partnership with the U.S. Department of State, which will seek to accelerate the Departmentís Global Employment Strategy Initiative.

As a result of the partnership, Manpower will develop and implement a special program for spouses of Department of State employees, providing an introduction to employment markets and cultural familiarization, in 67 countries around the world. In addition, the companyís Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs, David Arkless, will develop and assist in the coordination of a strategic advisory board made up of Department of State officials and private enterprise experts, to help evolve the State Departmentís world-class Global Employment Strategy Initiative.

ìThis global partnership will help thousands of American citizens make a smooth transition to new employment positions all over the world. We are gratified to be able to offer our training and skills development programs, in addition to our fundamental understanding of local employment markets. In doing so, we hope to help the State Department succeed in its Global Employment Strategy Initiative,î said Jeffrey A. Joerres, Chairman and CEO of Manpower Inc.

Through the spousal program for Department of State employees, Manpower will make a range of assessment, training and skills development programs available to qualified spouses or partners through local Manpower offices and the Internet. These programs will be available both pre-assignment and once in country, in English and in local language for a number of countries. Branka Minic, Director - Workforce Development for Manpower, will be responsible for leading the implementation of this global partnership.

For the U.S. Department of State, the implementation will be led by Ambassador W. Robert Pearson, Director General of the Foreign Service and Director of Human Resources. The Department of State believes that Manpowerís employment services expertise, combined with its extensive international network, will help ensure that the spouses of its employees will be helped to find employment and to overcome the challenges of relocating across national borders.

Manpower has a long history of working with governments around the world, from providing recruitment for the Australian Defense Force to helping U.S. military personnel in their transition to the civilian workplace.

The companyís government initiatives in the U.S. have earned Manpower a place on the Military Friendly Employers list, an honor roll of companies that actively recruit from the military, ease the transition to corporate life, create comfortable work environments and realize the benefit of hiring from the militaryís rich talent pool. Manpowerís career assistance to the military also extends to spouses of Army personnel.

In 2003, Manpower became one of the 13 founding partners of the U.S. Army Spouse Employment Partnership. This distinction formalized Manpowerís history of assisting military spouses in facilitating employment goals, career sustainability and mobility, and increased financial security ñ in spite of the frequent relocation required of military families. Manpower was chosen for the program based on its ability to provide career-driven employment opportunities for military spouses. With more than 1,000 offices across the U.S., Manpowerís close geographic proximity to many Army bases is another factor that eases the challenge military spouses face in maintaining careers.