The 2020 HIRE Vets Medallion Award application is now open to employers until April 30, 2020. The HIRE Vets Medallion Award is a Labor Department recognition for employers that commit to hiring and retaining Veterans into meaningful, family-sustaining careers.

There are many Veteran employment-related awards, lists, and rankings. However, it can be overwhelming for Veterans (and others) to differentiate between the employers committed to providing jobs and the employers committed to providing meaningful, long-term careers. The HIRE Vets Medallion Award is the only federal Veterans’ employment award that recognizes and honors employers’ commitment to Veteran hiring, retention, and professional development—and it carries the full weight of the federal government.

In 2019, DOL recognized over 400 large, medium, and small employers that earned the HIRE Vets Medallion Award–an increase from the 200 employers it saluted in 2018. These companies came from 48 states, plus Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, to hire more than 52,000 Veterans. The HIRE Vets Medallion Award recipients have demonstrated they understand the challenges that Veterans face when entering the workforce, as well as how to address those challenges and how to help Veterans succeed.

Long term

It’s easy for many companies to hire Veterans; it’s much harder to retain and train those Veterans for long-term prosperity. The HIRE Vets Medallion Award Program recognizes the employers that focus on this long-term goal. They are the companies that provide leadership opportunities, host Veteran resource (affinity) groups, offer professional development and training, and more:

  • These companies have Veterans on staff to help new Veteran employees become more well-rounded leaders in the company and their community.
  • They group employees into small teams, similar to the small unit leadership skills Veterans learn in the military.
  • They work to ease the transition from military to civilian life by providing a structured work environment that also focuses on the camaraderie service members love.
  • Lastly, they help their Veterans set specific career goals and plans, and identify training opportunities to achieve those goals.

Other resources

There are also a number of resources for service members to help them navigate their transition to civilian careers. DOL partners with agencies and programs, such as the VA and Department of Defense, to ensure transitioning service members and veterans have access to world-class resources that support their skill sets. DOL’s Veteran’s Employment and Training Service (VETS) offers access to both employer and future employee resources such as American Job Centers and Employment and Vocational Training Track workshops for transitioning service members.

Now, with the HIRE Vets Medallion Award Program, DOL can provide these resources while helping Veterans more easily identify employers dedicated to furthering their careers. One way to do that is by visiting the newly added Awardee page at HIREVets.gov, which allows recipients to add a hyperlink to the map listing and allows potential employees to find them at HIREVets.gov/Awardees.

The HIRE Vets Medallion Award Program isn’t just about hiring – it’s about Veteran careers. Visit HIREVets.gov to learn more about the 2020 program, requirements, and to see the list of 2019 and 2018 HIRE Vets Medallion Award recipients.


Randy Smith is the HIRE Vets Medallion Program Director, Office of the Assistant Secretary, Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS), Department of Labor.

Topics in this story

Leave a comment

The comments section is for opinions and feedback on this particular article; this is not a customer support channel. If you are looking for assistance, please visit Ask VA or call 1-800-698-2411. Please, never put personally identifiable information (SSAN, address, phone number, etc.) or protected health information into the form — it will be deleted for your protection.

22 Comments

  1. Anthony Mack Sr. March 6, 2020 at 00:52

    I’m a 26 year retired Army Intelligence Officer Veteran looking for a part-time job in or near Monterey California. I’m a disabled Veteran looking to stay in the fight. Please connect me with suitable positions that need my skill set.

  2. tdf March 5, 2020 at 14:49

    Department of Labor (DOL) Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) Outreach Program consists of six (6) Regional Veterans’ Employment Coordinators (RVEC) that can provide assistance with connecting to resources in the areas in which you are hiring.

    Outreach Team Contact Information:
    • Paul Furbush (Boston Region): Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York and New Jersey| furbush.paul.m@dol.gov

    • Nicole Neri (Philadelphia Region): Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia, Virginia and Washington D.C. | neri.nicole@dol.gov

    • Matt Grob (Atlanta Region): Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina | grob.matthew.a@dol.gov

    • Eric Asmussen (Chicago Region): Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas | asmussen.eric.k@dol.gov

    • Roxann Griffith (Dallas Region): Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands | griffith.roxann.s@dol.gov

    • Tony Forbes (San Francisco Region): California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, Hawaii and Guam | forbes.tony.d@dol.gov

  3. Kristin Burke March 5, 2020 at 13:31

    We would LOVE to get involved with hiring our nation’s veterans! We are in southern NJ!

  4. Michael Dismang March 5, 2020 at 13:01

    I am looking for Eployment.in seaside Oregon!!

    • tdf March 5, 2020 at 14:22

      Michael:

      As an individual that served in the U.S. military or are a spouse of a veteran, you may qualify for Priority of Service at an American Job Center (AJC). This includes priority referrals to jobs and other employment and training services over non-veteran applicants with the same qualifications. Services include job search assistance, workshops, resume assistance, labor market information, career counseling, and referrals among other resources.

      We are grateful for your service and our goal is to provide you with the maximum level of employment and training opportunities. Please identify yourself as a veteran or spouse of a veteran at your local Oregon WorkSource (https://www.oregon.gov/EMPLOY/jobseekers/Pages/Veterans.aspx) center upon seeking any services.

      t
      US Department of Labor – Veterans Employment and Training Services

  5. William GARRISON March 5, 2020 at 12:39

    What is the process to submit my employer for this award

  6. Robert Merwin March 5, 2020 at 10:43

    My Company hires veterans and people in recovery

    • Joseph Witty March 5, 2020 at 14:02

      Can you tell me where you’re located ? I’m in recovery and half way through my degree looking for internships. I’m in Indianapolis.

  7. Bryon Ater March 5, 2020 at 10:26

    I am a veteran owned small business looking to hire vets. Business location Ambridge , Pa.

  8. Kevin Bryan Amburn March 5, 2020 at 00:20

    Arvin Meritor is great for hiring vets

  9. michael metzger March 4, 2020 at 22:18

    The last month I’ve talked and applied to several businesses in Florence, Oregon. Even though I’m currently renting 15 miles away in Mapleton, Oregon.

  10. michael metzger March 4, 2020 at 22:14

    I’m 3rd generation at Chico, California. I served 6 years (1971-1977) in the Army National Guard, based out of Chico. My current business name is Mike Metzger: Massage Doctor, and I’ve had 30 years experience and even had tons of awards, top 10% in the world and #1 in California. I was licensed and owned and ran a State Licensed Massage School for 26 years in Chico and got illegal action from the state and closed it down in June, 2018. I just decided to move from Chico, California to Mapleton, Oregon on Thanksgiving 2019, to work at a Spa in Florence. The Spa had me work for a little over 2 months, then shut down my job one month ago. I’m looking for a local job now. Last week I joined the Florence American Legion and I even worked at a event for them, at the Florence Siuslaw High School last Saturday.

  11. Jim Nuanes March 4, 2020 at 21:41

    Request employment assistance in the executive level management

    • tdf March 5, 2020 at 14:35

      Jim:

      reach out to me via email and lets get you connected to some resources. My email is forbes.tony.d@dol.gov

      t
      US Department of Labor – Veterans Employment and Training Services

  12. Arturo F. Siga March 4, 2020 at 21:30

    It’s a great opportunity for me if I could get employed in this program. I’m a veteran now living in the Philippines. I’m interested in your program, how can I join?

  13. Michael Edick March 4, 2020 at 21:22

    Is there a negative Veteran hiring award? If so, Pierce County (gov’t), Washington deserves it.

  14. Adam Lawrence March 4, 2020 at 20:32

    My company hires and retains veteran employees. How can we get the certification?

Comments are closed.

More Stories