FLIR Launches Multiple Programs to Support U.S. Military Veterans

January 13, 2020

In the last quarter of 2019, FLIR Systems, Inc. announced an initiative to honor and support United States (U.S.) military veterans. As part of its FLIR HERO Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy, the company plans to double the percent of verified veterans employed at the company by the end of 2022. Also, through the FLIR TradeForce Program, it will offer free introductory-level infrared training and certification for U.S. military veterans transitioning to a skilled trade.

For almost four decades, FLIR has provided the U.S. military with lifesaving technology and solutions to help accomplish its mission. Today, approximately 9% of the company’s U.S. workforce is self-reported as veterans in a range of job roles, including engineering, operations, finance, business development, customer support, and executive management. To help veterans in their transition to the civilian workplace, FLIR aims to employ 18% of its U.S. personnel as veterans at all levels of the company, with significant career opportunities within its Government and Defense Business Unit.

Additionally, the company introduced FLIR TradeForce, a program to help U.S. veterans start or expand a career in the skilled trades. TradeForce offers free thermography training provided by its U.S. Infrared Training Center (ITC). The need for more qualified thermal imaging experts, or thermographers, across industries continues to grow in areas such as electrical, building inspection, moisture remediation, HVAC, and gas inspection. Veterans completing the training course requirements and a field assignment will receive a Level I Thermographer Certification and are eligible to receive a FLIR E8 thermal camera to help start their skilled trade career.

FLIR is partnering with Hire Heroes USA, a national nonprofit that provides free employment services to U.S. military members, veterans, and military spouses, to seek qualified veteran candidates for training.

“Our military customers and veterans know the lifesaving benefits of FLIR technology better than anyone,” said Jim Cannon, President and CEO at FLIR. “Veterans are an important part of FLIR culture today, but in the future, we want to be a destination company for veterans. Having people within our ranks who have used our technology brings unique and invaluable experience to our workplace. That includes the armed services veterans and first responders we proudly call colleagues at our locations worldwide.”

FLIR HERO represents the company’s CSR strategy and is building upon a foundation of community involvement in three areas: Planet, Purpose, and Potential. Within Planet, FLIR aids environmental stewards and organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund, who are using FLIR technology to fight poaching of endangered species in Africa. The programs introduced today fall within Purpose, which supports veterans and first responders, while Potential assists educators and schoolchildren for STEM-related activities. To learn more about the company’s CSR efforts, visit www.flir.com/hero.

If you are a veteran who is interested in learning more about the free infrared training program, visit www.flir.com/tradeforce.

For veterans looking for a career at FLIR, visit www.flir.com/careers.

For more information, visit www.flir.com.