Veteran Pathways: 7 in-demand skills to help service members transition into high-demand careers

By Kelsey Robuck

The skills gap in American industry is real. Companies are searching for talent with digital mindsets and technical expertise in areas like product lifecycle management, AI ethics, sustainable engineering and digital transformation. Meanwhile, veterans bring unparalleled leadership, problem-solving abilities, and technical aptitude. Credentials help translate military experience into civilian career success.

Introducing Expedite for Vets, a workforce initiative that provides free, industry-recognized credentials to help service members transition into high-demand careers in AI, digitalization, advanced manufacturing and infrastructure.

That’s the purpose behind Siemens Expedite for Vets initiative, a workforce program that provides free, ABET-recognized microcredentials for veterans and active-duty military personnel transitioning into civilian careers in AI, advanced manufacturing, digital operations, and infrastructure. Below are just some of the skills offered in this program.

1. Electrical wiring

Electrical wiring is one of the most common skills across electrical engineers, with over 154,000 professionals listing it on their profiles. It appears in nearly 14,000 active job postings, showing that even as industries evolve, companies still rely on engineers who understand the fundamentals.

Wiring is the foundation of every system, from power grids to industrial equipment. While wiring is considered a baseline skill, mastering it early gives you a practical advantage and helps you collaborate effectively with installation and maintenance teams.

2. Electrical design

With over 31,000 open jobs requesting electrical design, this skill is in significantly higher demand than wiring or even systems design. Why? Companies need engineers who can design systems, select the right components and ensure regulatory compliance, among other tasks.

Whether you’re planning circuits or laying out full electrical infrastructures, electrical design helps you contribute at a higher level.

3. Control systems

Knowledge of control systems is in high demand. LinkedIn’s data on job listings shows that job listings have grown by 69% in the past year. As industries embrace automation, companies need engineers who can design and optimize the systems that power factories, energy grids and smart technologies.

Building control systems expertise positions you for the future, making you someone who can solve complex, real-world problems in automated environments.

4. Commissioning and troubleshooting

Designing is one thing, making sure it works in the real world is another. That’s why skills like commissioning and troubleshooting are growing fast, up 38% this year alone. Employers value when early-career engineers can roll up their sleeves and debug a system when something’s off. These hands-on, problem-solving skills help you stand out as someone ready to work on real-world systems from day one.

5. Systems design

Today’s problems aren’t isolated. Whether it’s electric vehicles, smart homes or industrial machinery, you’ll be working on big-picture systems that mix electrical, software and mechanical components. And the job market shows it: nearly 10,000 roles are actively seeking engineers with systems design skills. Employers need engineers who can think beyond components and see the full picture. Learning systems design helps you become that kind of engineer.

6. Computer-aided design (CAD)

While engineers may work with a variety of more advanced tools, CAD remains a key skill in the job market. Over 110,000 engineers list it as a skill. CAD proficiency signals that you can draft clear layouts, interpret schematics and work within standardized workflows, which is essential in industries like utilities, construction and manufacturing.

7. Communication & team collaboration

Technical knowledge alone isn’t enough. According to this study published in the Journal of Engineering Education, communication and teamwork are ranked as the two most important soft skills for engineering graduates. In the industry, projects happen in teams, not in isolation.

From presenting your ideas to collaborating across departments, your ability to work with others is as valuable as your technical skills. Building collaboration and communication early on helps you stand out, not just as an engineer, but as someone employers want on their teams.

How to start building these skills

With over 67,000 open roles targeting electrical engineers right now, demand is high, but employers are selective. They’re looking for candidates who bring the right mix of technical skills and professional know-how to their teams.

Our goal is to enroll 5,000 military personnel and veterans in Expedite – Skills for Industry and become the leading industrial microcredential provider for veterans transitioning to civilian careers.