Edward Orsted

About Edward Orsted

I’m Ed Orsted, CEO & Founder of Veteran Workforce Solutions (VWS), a military veteran recruiting and consulting firm that helps employers hire transitioning servicemembers and veterans through the DoD SkillBridge program and direct-hire placements.After 24 years of military service—including deployments supporting Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Iraq, and Afghanistan—I spent 16 years as an Army Career Counselor helping Soldiers map their skills to real career paths. Today, I bring that same mission to the civilian workforce: translating military experience into job-ready value and building veteran hiring pipelines that work for both the employer and the veteran.What I do: • Partner with employers across SC, NC, GA, AL, and TN to build repeatable veteran hiring pipelines • Source, screen, and match candidates to on-site roles (no remote placements) • Specialize in high-demand technical careers: diesel/field service technicians, heavy equipment mechanics, aviation technicians, forklift repair technicians, and service advisor roles • Provide end-to-end SkillBridge support: candidate prep, employer coordination, interview support, and conversion to full-time employment • Support direct-hire recruiting with intake, submissions, interview coordination, offer support, and post-hire check-insResults that matter • 80% of SkillBridge participants receive full-time job offers from host companies • 75% one-year retention for placed veterans If you’re an employer looking to strengthen your technician pipeline with proven, mission-ready talent—or a servicemember preparing for transition—let’s connect.Message me “SKILLBRIDGE” and I’ll share how we can set up a veteran hiring pipeline that’s structured, compliant, and built for long-term retention.

Experience

1. CEO & Founder Veteran Workforce Solutions (Vws)

   Veteran Workforce Solutions

   Feb 2024 — Present · Charlotte, NC, US

   I lead Veteran Workforce Solutions (VWS), a military veteran recruiting and consulting firm that connects transitioning servicemembers and veterans to on-site civilian careers—specializing in the DoD SkillBridge program and direct-hire placements in high-demand technical roles.I bring 24 years of military service and 16 years as an Army Career Counselor, which shapes how we prepare candidates, translate military experience into civilian value, and help employers build veteran-ready hiring processes.What we do- Build employer partnerships and create repeatable veteran hiring pipelines across the Southeast - Source, screen, and match candidates to on-site technical roles (diesel/field service, heavy equipment, aviation, forklift repair, service advisor roles)- Manage SkillBridge placements end-to-end: candidate preparation, employer coordination, interview support, start/completion milestones, and conversion to full-time offers - Support direct-hire recruiting: intake calls, candidate submissions, interview scheduling, offer support, and post-hire check-ins - Provide military-to-civilian skills translation and employer education to reduce hiring friction and improve retentionOutcomes- 80% of SkillBridge participants receive full-time job offers from host companies - 75% one-year retention for placed veterans Specialties:DoD SkillBridge | Veteran Recruiting | Technical Talent | Workforce Consulting | Employer Partnerships | Military Skills Translation

Education

• Trident University International

  Bachelor of Business Administration - BBA, Business Administration and Management, General

  2012

• Troy University

  Associate of Arts and Sciences - AAS, Business

  2008