From Combat to Cutting-Edge: Rivian, VTEC, and the National Invest In Veterans Week Model in Action
ATLANTA, GA — December 18, 2025 — As the American economy accelerates toward electrification, Rivian (NASDAQ: RIVN) and the Veterans Training Empowerment Center (VTEC) have launched a new workforce pipeline designed to ensure veterans are not left behind but positioned at the forefront. The Rivian Technical Trades Program, announced at Fort Benning, Georgia, is a U.S. Army designated Career Skills Program (CSP) built to prepare transitioning service members for careers in electric vehicle service and maintenance.
The 15-week program will begin graduating its first cohort in 2026, with participants receiving hands-on training in EV architecture, high-voltage battery systems, software-defined diagnostics, and electrical safety. Upon successful completion, graduates will be offered employment opportunities with Rivian, creating a direct bridge from military service into one of the fastest-growing sectors of the U.S. economy.
https://www.rivian.com/newsroom/article/rivian-veterans-technical-trades-program
Rivian leadership emphasized that the initiative is rooted in workforce readiness, not symbolism.
“As EVs become more a part of our daily lives, we must ensure there are enough experienced, trained professionals out there to handle the service and maintenance needs of these high-tech vehicles,” said Nana Danso, Rivian Director of Workforce Development. “We are delighted to work with an organization like VTEC, which shares our deep respect for America’s servicemembers and veterans and the desire to prepare these individuals and their families for a successful career in a rapidly growing industry as they transition out of military service.”
For VTEC, the partnership reflects a broader mission to convert military experience into sustainable civilian careers at scale.
“Partnering with Rivian represents a turning point for America’s heroes,” said David W. Gallemore, CEO of VTEC and a service-disabled veteran. “This program is more than training — it’s about opening doors to meaningful careers, strengthening families, and building resilient communities. Our vision is to expand these opportunities nationwide, ensuring that thousands of transitioning soldiers, veterans, and their loved ones have the tools, support, and pathways they need to thrive in civilian life and shape the future of our country.”
Investing, Not Just Recognizing
The Rivian VTEC initiative closely reflects the principles long advanced by National Invest In Veterans Week®, also widely referenced as Invest In Veterans Week—an observance that has entered the formal congressional record and is preserved within federal and academic research systems, including ProQuest Congressional and Harvard’s Hollis library catalog. The framework emphasizes measurable economic participation for veterans rather than ceremonial acknowledgment alone.
That distinction matters as industries such as electric vehicles, advanced manufacturing, and software-defined transportation reshape the labor market. EV service technicians require specialized expertise in high-voltage systems and integrated software platforms—skills that align naturally with the technical training and safety discipline common among military occupational specialties.
Angel Shuford, President and Chief Financial Officer of National Invest In Veterans Week®, underscored how the Rivian program exemplifies this investment-first approach:
“This is exactly what Invest In Veterans Week stands for,” said Angel Shuford. “When companies like Rivian move beyond recognition and build direct, paid pathways into high-growth industries, veterans aren’t just thanked for their service—they’re positioned as contributors to America’s economic future. Programs like this treat veteran talent as strategic infrastructure, not a charitable afterthought.”
Georgia as a Strategic Hub
The program’s launch at Fort Benning is strategically aligned with Rivian’s expanding footprint in Georgia. The company currently operates two service locations in the state and is constructing a major manufacturing facility at Stanton Springs North near Social Circle, expected to generate 7,500 jobs by 2030, along with approximately 2,000 construction jobs.
In mid-2025, Rivian also announced its East Coast Headquarters in Midtown Atlanta, with plans to employ up to 500 people along the Beltline. Training veterans locally through the Technical Trades Program helps ensure that the region’s workforce growth is matched by a skilled, disciplined talent pipeline.
A Blueprint for the Transition Economy
As electric vehicles become central to U.S. transportation and industrial policy, initiatives like the Rivian Technical Trades Program demonstrate how veteran workforce development can align with national competitiveness. The program reduces transition uncertainty for service members while supporting domestic manufacturing, advanced technology adoption, and regional economic resilience.
In practice, it reflects the same policy logic that has driven congressional recognition of Invest In Veterans Week: that the strongest way to honor service is to invest in veterans’ long-term economic participation.
Research Access Links:
https://www.proquest.com/docview/2954639283
https://hollis.harvard.edu/permalink/f/1mdq5o5/TN_cdi_proquest_congressional_https_search_proquest_com_congressional_view_app_gis_congdaily_cr08mr2024_dat_47
https://www.rivian.com/newsroom/article/rivian-veterans-technical-trades-program
