MILWAUKEE, Nov. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Manpower enhanced its status as an employer of choice for the U.S. military with two recent developments. Today, Manpower was named to the list of Top 10 Most Military-Friendly Employers by G.I. Jobs, the premiere magazine for transitioning military professionals. In recent weeks, Manpower also pledged support to army spouses by joining the Spouse Employment Partnership, a select group of corporations proactively assisting spouses in their search for employment.

"Manpower strives to recruit a diverse workforce with a broad range of talents and backgrounds in order to maximize business results for our own company as well as our 400,000 customers around the world. Transitioning military and military spouses are an important part of that effort," said Barbara J. Beck, executive vice president of U.S. and Canadian operations for Manpower.

G.I. Jobs analyzed hundreds of firms in diverse industries to identify the most military-friendly employers. Companies deemed friendly to transitioning military were found to actively recruit from the military, ease the transition to civilian and corporate life, create comfortable environments and realize the economic benefit of hiring from the military.

"We are an ideal employer for people making the leap from military to civilian life," said Beck. "With expertise in assessments and training, we can take the valuable skills a person develops during a military career, adapt them for use in the private sector and present a choice of employment options that match those skills."

In related news, Manpower pledged to continue supporting military spouses in their efforts to secure gainful employment. In a ceremony at the Association of the United States Army annual meeting in October, Manpower was formally recognized as a corporate partner in the 15-member Spouse Employment Partnership.

"Civilian spouses of military personnel face a multitude of employment challenges due to frequent relocations," said Beck. "We plan to build on our past successes, implementing solutions that range from training programs to telecommuting for spouses stationed here and abroad."

Members of the Spouse Employment Partnership agree to focus their efforts on increasing employment opportunities for military spouses and facilitating the employment of Army spouses to the mutual benefit of the Army and employers. Spouses employed in civilian jobs or voluntarily out of work express greater satisfaction with military life than other married personnel, according to a 1999 Active Duty Member Survey conducted by the Defense Manpower Data Center, a division of the Department of Defense. Spousal support is directly correlated to retention of military personnel.

Partner companies were selected according to their presence in the communities where military spouses live and work and the ability to provide opportunities for skilled and unskilled workers, as well as those on a professional career track. The group worked together for more than a year to develop a plan, and will continue to meet regularly to assess their efforts and monitor progress.

About Manpower

Manpower Inc. (NYSE: MAN) is a world leader in the staffing industry, providing workforce management services and solutions to customers through 4,000 offices in 63 countries. The firm annually provides employment to two million people worldwide and is an industry leader in employee assessment and training. In North America, Manpower staffing services include administrative, industrial and contact center personnel as well as the assignment of contract professionals in information technology, scientific, finance, engineering, telecommunications and other professional areas under the Manpower Professional brand. More information on the company can be found at http://www.manpower.com/ .