Starbucks recognizing veterans with job opportunities, free coffee
Nov 6, 2013, 9:46 AM | Updated: 10:57 am
Starbucks says it plans to hire at least 10,000 veterans and military spouses over the next several years. (AP Photo/file)
(AP Photo/file)
Starbucks says it plans to hire at least 10,000 veterans and military spouses over the next several years.
Blair Taylor, Chief Community Officer for Starbucks, tells The Morning News on KIRO Radio it is just about the company trying to do their part to help support those who serve this country.
The Seattle-based coffee company says it will develop a system dedicated to matching the skills of veterans and military spouses with jobs throughout its organization.
“What skills do you develop in the Army that make you more suited to be a barista, for example?” asked Morning News host Dave Ross.
“Quite frankly, you develop the ability to make decisions. We have a pretty complicated business in the front line. You develop the ability to work very collaboratively with others, the leadership skills that we look for,” says Taylor, who adds the types of positions they’ll be hiring for are all over the company, from baristas, to management, to leadership roles.
Starbucks Corp., which has about 20,000 locations around the world, also says it will designate five cafes in military communities where a portion of each transaction is donated to Operations GoodJobs and Vested in Vets. One of those five will be opening at Joint Base Lewis-McChord says Taylor.
“These stores become an integral part of the community. They give back dollars to support non-profits and services that the community desperately needs and in this case it’s all about jobs. It’s all about working for job training, and job skills, and working with local veterans and their families on supporting them economically in every way that we can,” says Taylor. “We’re tremendously excited about that.”
Veterans will also be recognized by the company with free coffee offer for every veteran and active-duty service member across all their stores nationwide next Monday for Veteran’s Day.
“Just our way of saying thank you for all of the great service they’ve provided to this nation,” says Taylor.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
