NextOp and BlueForge Alliance Launch Enlisted Veteran Hiring Program

Written By Alicia Vial

Organizations aim to place 100 veterans in the U.S. Navy Submarine Industrial Base within the next year

NEW ORLEANS —NextOp is partnering with BlueForge Alliance, a nonprofit neutral integrator that supports the U.S. Navy’s Submarine Industrial Base (SIB) in establishing a comprehensive enlisted military and veteran talent development and recruitment program. The primary focus of this effort is to address the increasing demand for skilled workforce in the SIB.

“Our exciting partnership with BlueForge Alliance allows NextOp to invest in staff and activities that focus our services on placing at least 100 enlisted veterans in the SIB. We are honored to help contribute to this critical national defense workforce solution and look forward to growing our impact,” says NextOp Executive Director Shelby Mounts.

The U.S. Navy works to grow the industrial base to meet an increasing demand for submarine construction and a growing need for skilled tradespeople, with an estimated 100,000 workers needed over the next 10 years. In response to this demand, NextOp will provide marketing, recruiting, direct candidate development, training resources and industry engagement to establish enlisted veteran talent pipelines.

By working directly with NextOp to establish their requirements and participate in activities that lead to hiring, employers can grow their workforce with talented, skilled, dedicated workers and improve career opportunities for transitioning military and veteran job seekers.

In addition to the BlueForge Alliance partnership, candidate profiles may be developed through BuildSubmarines.com, a website owned and operated by BlueForge Alliance that serves as the central recruitment hub for workers needed to build and sustain the SIB’s mission. This allows veterans and transitioning military members the opportunity to filter through job and career opportunities tailored specifically for them.

NextOp partners with additional stakeholders in the SIB ecosystem. The nonprofit workforce development organization also has training partnerships with Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) and the New England Submarine Shipbuilding Partnership, powered by SENEDIA. These partners provide certification, education or training based upon industry requirements in a number of technical areas. NextOp’s goal is to continue developing collaborative partnerships to recruit suitable candidates, enroll them in training/certification programs and seamlessly place them into SIB careers.

As the demand for skilled workers in the SIB continues to grow, BlueForge Alliance and NextOp remain committed to empowering veterans and contributing to the national workforce solution. This partnership marks a significant step toward bridging the gap between military talent and needs of the SIB.

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About NextOp
NextOp is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with the mission to recruit, develop and place high-performing enlisted veterans into industry careers. NextOp’s goal is to bridge the gap between the military and industries in need of diverse and skilled talent. For more information, visit https://nextopvets.org/

About BlueForge Alliance
BlueForge Alliance (BFA) is the nonprofit, neutral integrator that supports the U.S. Navy’s Submarine Industrial Base (SIB) initiatives and efforts to strengthen and sustain the maritime manufacturing sector. BFA is a critical partner in the SIB’s mission to ensure the industry has the capability, capacity and resilience to build and maintain America’s next generation of undersea platforms. The organization’s team of experts in a variety of disciplines focus on addressing critical workforce, technology and supplier development needs. BFA is headquartered in Bryan-College Station, Texas. For more information, visit www.BlueForgeAlliance.us

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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