IBM recently expanded efforts to help one American demographic get involved in technology careers: Military veterans. On Wednesday, IBM unveiled a partnership with PNC and two nonprofits to expand training programs for veterans to work with IBM software.

Earlier in 2017, IBM made a commitment to hire 2,000 veterans for what it calls “new collar” jobs–tech careers that don’t necessarily require a traditional four-year degree. Part of that initiative is realized in the Veteran Employment Accelerator program, which provides training, certification, and employment assistance for tech jobs.

The accelerator program was born out of a partnership between IBM and the nonprofit organization Corporate America Supports You (CASY), which helps with veteran job placement. The two met with PNC and the National Cyber-Forensics Training Alliance (NCFTA) in Pittsburgh to expand the program in the Pennsylvania city, hosting a training session there, a press release said.

SEE: Why veterans can fill your company’s tech skills gap

According to the release, the program aims to train and prepare veterans for tech jobs such as data analysts or cybersecurity analysts. IBM is expecting hundreds of veterans across the country to participate in the initiative in 2017.

Diane Melley, IBM’s vice president of global citizenship initiatives, noted in the press release that veterans often have unique talents that make them a good fit for certain tech jobs.

“Veterans cultivate skills in the military that are invaluable in the workplace. This program is designed to hone our local veterans’ expertise by equipping them with software certification and job placement assistance in high-growth, new collar careers,” Melley said in the press release.

IBM isn’t alone in its efforts to hire veterans. Other tech companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Accenture have launched veteran tech training programs to help fill the skills gaps at their companies. And with the Trump administration’s crackdown on the H-1B visa program, Veterans could offer an alternative workforce to be tapped by tech companies.

Additionally, a growing number of mobile app developers have built applications designed for helping veterans as well. Facebook has also offered training to veterans to help them promote their businesses.

Interested veterans can find more information about IBM’s Veterans Employment Initiative here.

The 3 big takeaways for TechRepublic readers

  1. IBM and PNC recently partnered with two nonprofits to expand a veteran training program for tech jobs into Pittsburgh.
  2. The program is part of a Veteran Employment Accelerator program, which provides training, certification, and employment assistance for tech jobs.
  3. IBM is joined by other tech companies like Amazon, Accenture, and Microsoft, who have committed to training or hiring US military veterans.