The U.S. Army and the American Indian Science and Engineering Society signed a partnership agreement today that provides Native American students with formal access to Army Science, Technology, Engineering and Math job and educational opportunities.
The agreement, a memorandum of understanding, was signed by Mr. Jaime A. Pinkham, the principal deputy assistant secretary of the Army for Civil Works; Lt. Gen. Scott A. Spellmon, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers commanding general; and Ms. Sarah EchoHawk, American Indian Science and Engineering Society chief executive officer.
“By signing this memorandum of understanding, we are literally opening the doors to the USACE,” said Spellmon.
The MOU provides USACE opportunities to better engage with Native Americans through job fairs, career days, engagement with the USACE workforce, and access to projects, labs and research. It also provides employment opportunities for Indigenous peoples to contribute their passion, talent and ingenuity toward enhancing the USACE workforce.
According to Spellmon, many believe there will be about 3.5 million STEM jobs in America that need to be filled by 2025.
“We hope that access to our programs and people will help ignite a passion and a desire to pursue a career in engineering,” said Pinkham.
“So, if our nation and the Army are going to keep up with demand, we need to ensure we’re recruiting the very best talent our country has to offer,” he said.
From engaging with future generations of engineers, to hiring underserved Americans and offering contracting opportunities to Native American-owned small businesses, diversity and inclusion efforts remain top USACE’s priorities. They are key components in how USACE can deliver for the nation, its partners and allies around the globe.
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