IBM says it plans to hire 2,000 veterans over the next four years, part of the company’s recent pledge to create 25,000 new jobs over the next four years.

IBM’s jobs available web site currently lists nearly 3,400 jobs across 35 locations in 13 categories. More than 700 positions are available in North Carolina, the vast majority of which are spread across the Triangle.

The tech giant also says it will offer free training for veterans.

Big Blue has a major presence in RTP.

Chair and CEO Ginni Rometty has pledged since the November election to add more jobs, many of which she described as “new collar” – positions in cloud computing and other emerging technologies.

IBM noted in Friday’s announcement that “new collar” jobs “do not always require a four-year college degree.”

  • VIDEO: Watch a video about IBM’s recruitment of veterans at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJVNpI1KYoA

“The men and women who have served in our country’s armed forces have unique talents and skill sets that make them a natural fit for some of the technology industry’s most exciting fields,” said Diane Gherson, IBM’s Senior Vice President of Human Resources, in the announcement.

“Many of the positions IBM is eager to fill are new collar jobs. What’s most important in these roles is having the right mix of skills and experience that our clients need in fast-growing areas like cloud computing, cybersecurity, network management, and digital design. Veterans bring a disciplined work ethic as well as strong collaboration and communications skills acquired through their military service, all capabilities that IBM values highly.”

To help with hiring veterans, IBM said it is expanding a training program in software.

“More than 500 veterans have been trained to-date, and hundreds more will participate in the program this year,” IBM noted.

IBM offers free certification in analytics solutions and is teamed with Corporate America Supports You to assist with job placement.

Veterans and those soon leaving the service can get more details about IBM employment opportunities at:

http://ibm-veterans.jobs