Military veterans. Government contracting. Aerospace industry. These are three things we care about deeply. And when we learned that Veteran Institute for Procurement (VIP) is about to launch the country’s first VIP AEROSPACE training class, we had to learn more.
Created to accelerate the success of service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses and other small-certified businesses in the federal market, the VIP educational program is specifically focused on federal aerospace procurement. VIP AEROSPACE is the fourth veteran entrepreneurship educational program designed by VIP. It launches this comprehensive virtual training program on April 6th, with an intensive 22-briefing curriculum. The VIP AEROSPACE program is available at no cost to candidates that qualify.
It’s an inspiring undertaking that’s been well-received by an impressive class of veterans!
The organization has assembled 36 professionals to deliver the briefings and moderate panels. Pulling from military, prime government contractors and industry, volunteer instructors will cover essential topics including contracting acquisition, strategic planning, supply chain management, capture management, marketing, operations and program controls, and much more.
More than 40 veteran business leaders from across the country have signed up for the inaugural program, seeking guidance as they face an inflection point in their growth curve. To qualify for the class, participants must be an owner, principal or C-level executive of a service-disabled or veteran-owned small business. They must also be a VIP GROW program graduate, having completed the course focused on establishing best business practices to win government contracts.
The program is open to veterans working in aerospace as well as those who are ready to learn what it takes to break into the competitive and expanding market. Here’s just a glimpse at the inaugural VIP AEROSPACE class:
- 43 participants
- 18 states
- 13 average years in business
- 65% earn less than $5M annually; All have revenues under $25M
- 74% are SDVOSB
- 23% are 8(a) small disadvantaged
- 53% minority-owned
- 23% women-owned
- 56% deliver work internationally
- 35% have worked as a federal prime; 65% are subcontractors
- 35% of applicants have not (yet) worked on a federal contract in aerospace
VIP has a proven track record of success. More than 1,600 companies from all 50 states, DC and Puerto Rico have participated in VIP programs to date. In fact, 30 were named to the Inc. 5000 just last year!
Hats off to VIP for offering this practical, yet inspirational, program! To all the VIP AEROSPACE participants, we wish you great success. And we hope to see more of you in the federal aerospace market soon!