Global asset manager Blackstone (NYSE:BX), in partnership with its
portfolio company Hilton Worldwide, the U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs, and Kendall College in Chicago, are proud to announce the
launch of a first-of-its-kind hospitality education program designed to
help veterans and their spouses receive the experience and knowledge
that can lead to a meaningful career in hospitality management. The
announcement was made in conjunction with President Obama’s speech to
the American Legion Convention today.
This educational program offers enrollment in courses at Kendall
College’s School of Hospitality Management, the cost of which can be
covered by GI Bill funds, and a six-month internship at a Hilton
Worldwide property. Students who successfully complete the necessary
coursework and internship will receive a Certification of Completion,
college credit toward a degree and experience that positions them to
transition into full-time employment with Hilton or other hospitality
companies. The program is being offered in coordination with the U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs.
In April 2013, in support of the White House’s “Joining Forces”
initiative, Blackstone committed to hiring 50,000 American veterans
across its portfolio over five years. In May 2014, Blackstone announced
that it had already hired more than 10,000 veterans since making that
pledge. As part of Blackstone’s Veterans Hiring Initiative, each
September, the firm hosts a summit to support the hiring of American
veterans across its portfolio companies. At the summit, hiring
executives and government officials work together to plan the continued
fulfillment of this pledge. To learn more about Blackstone’s Veterans
Hiring Initiative, please visit http://blackstone.com/careers/veterans-initiative.
“We are proud to help launch an important pilot program that will assist
veterans in their transition to new careers following their military
service,” said Stephen A. Schwarzman, Chairman, CEO and Co-Founder of
Blackstone. “Veterans have exceptional skills and talents that are
highly attractive to employers, and we have seen a terrific response on
the part of our portfolio companies to follow through and create real
employment opportunities for the men and women of the United States
Military. This program will help veterans apply their skills in new
ways, offer the opportunity to train with a world leading hospitality
company and access available jobs. We continue to proudly support the
White House’s Joining Forces Initiative and applaud the Administration’s
leadership in supporting our nation’s veterans.”
Coinciding with Blackstone’s Veterans Hiring Initiative, Hilton
Worldwide launched its “Operation: Opportunity” initiative, including
innovative public-private partnerships and a commitment to hire 10,000
veterans within five years. Working with the National
Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA), the company is
donating millions of Hilton HHonors points that veterans can redeem for
free hotel stays while seeking jobs, both within and outside the
company. It is also implementing veteran apprentice programs, on-the-job
training and management development programs with the U.S. Department of
Labor, Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs. Hilton
Worldwide has been recognized as one of the “Top Ten Companies for
Veterans” by DiversityInc and one of the “Top Military Friendly
Employers” by GI Jobs.
“At Hilton Worldwide, we are strongly committed to supporting our
veterans and their families. For nearly a century now, we have proudly
welcomed veterans to our company, and many of our best leaders served in
the military before joining us, including our founder Conrad Hilton who
was a U.S. Army veteran,” said Christopher J. Nassetta, President and
CEO of Hilton Worldwide. “The hospitality industry requires many of the
same skill sets as the military since both are 24/7 operations that
require a high degree of professionalism and expertise across many
different job functions. As the fastest growing and largest hospitality
company by rooms in the world, we offer extensive opportunities to
advance over time, and the 10,000 veterans and military spouses joining
our team will be integral to our future success.”
"Blackstone and Hilton have really demonstrated what it means to be
Veteran-committed employers. I encourage other employers to follow their
lead and develop innovative programs that effectively utilize GI Bill®
benefits to provide training that supports meaningful employment for
Veterans, Transitioning Service members, and their families," said Rosye
Cloud, Senior Advisor for Veteran Employment at the U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs.
“Kendall College is committed to providing veterans opportunities in the
hospitality and culinary fields,” said Emily Williams Knight, President
of Kendall College. “We are proud to be working alongside both Hilton
and the Veterans Administration to achieve this goal. This unique
educational program affords veterans the opportunity to take coursework
from the number one hospitality school in Chicago, while at the same
time, gaining practical experience through a six-month internship with a
world class hospitality brand. Having a pathway to a career in the
hospitality industry from the moment they enter the program, will give
them a goal to work towards, and will help to keep them on track. As the
daughter of two Navy veterans and a former military spouse, I understand
the benefits this program will bring the veteran community and their
families.”
About Blackstone
Blackstone is one of the world’s leading investment firms. We seek to
create positive economic impact and long-term value for our investors,
the companies we invest in, and the communities in which we work. We do
this by using extraordinary people and flexible capital to help
companies solve problems. Our asset management businesses, with almost
$300 billion in assets under management, include investment vehicles
focused on private equity, real estate, public debt and equity,
non-investment grade credit, real assets and secondary funds, all on a
global basis. Blackstone also provides various financial advisory
services, including financial and strategic advisory, restructuring and
reorganization advisory and fund placement services. Further information
is available at www.blackstone.com.
Follow Blackstone on Twitter @Blackstone.
About Hilton Worldwide
Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company,
spanning the lodging sector from luxury and full-service hotels and
resorts to extended-stay suites and focused-service hotels. For 95
years, Hilton Worldwide has been dedicated to continuing its tradition
of providing exceptional guest experiences. The company's portfolio of
eleven world-class global brands is comprised of more than 4,200
managed, franchised, owned and leased hotels and timeshare properties,
with more than 690,000 rooms in 93 countries and territories, including
Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels
& Resorts, Curio - A Collection by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy
Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by
Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company
also manages an award-winning customer loyalty program, Hilton HHonors®.
Visit news.hiltonworldwide.com for more information and connect with
Hilton Worldwide at www.facebook.com/hiltonworldwide,
www.twitter.com/hiltonworldwide,
www.youtube.com/hiltonworldwide,
www.flickr.com/hiltonworldwide
and www.linkedin.com/company/hilton-worldwide.
About Kendall College
Kendall College, founded in 1934, is located in Chicago, Ill., and is a
member of the Laureate International Universities network.
Kendall offers undergraduate degrees in culinary arts, hospitality
management, business and early childhood education to a diverse and
passionate community of more than 1,800 students. The curriculum
combines strong academics with practical experience and international
educational opportunities to give students in business, hospitality and
culinary arts programs the skills and expertise to be leaders in their
professions. Kendall College was ranked the No. 1 program in Chicago for
preparing students for careers in hospitality management and culinary
arts in a survey of management at Chicago’s leading hotels and Michelin
Guide restaurants (TNS
Global - 2013 Survey). Kendall College is accredited by The Higher
Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of
Colleges and Schools (NCA), www.ncahlc.org;
1-312-263-0456. For more information about this training program, please
call 888-705-3632.
Copyright Business Wire 2014