Some time back, we did a blog post where we discussed hiring the right people and how important it is to the overall success of your business. Building on the information in that post, we want to call your attention to a great source of good people to consider hiring, regardless of what business you’re in… our military veterans.
Hire Vets Act
In 2017, the HIRE Vets Act (Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans) was signed by President Trump. The act required the Secretary of Labor to establish a program to recognize the efforts made by employers to recruit, hire, and retain military veterans as employees.
To encourage participation in the practice of hiring our vets, an award program for qualifying employers was created. Certain criteria must be met before a company can qualify to participate in the “HIRE Vets Medallion Award” program.
There are two different award levels of the medallions, Platinum and Gold. Awards are also given based on the size of the company. The size levels consist of large companies, with 500 or more employees, medium size, with 51-499 employees, and small businesses with less than 50 employees.
How Your Business Benefits from HIRE Vets
In addition to the work ethic of veterans, your business could also receive recognition as an employer who hires and retains veterans. Any efforts made on the part of your business to create and develop veteran-specific benefits and other programs designed to increase retention will also receive recognition in the form of the HIRE Vets Medallion Award.
If selected, your company will receive a certificate and a digital image of the medallion to use in your marketing. This makes it clear to all that you’re a veteran-friendly business. That fact, in and of itself, could attract additional business to your company.
How to Apply for the HIRE Vets Medallion Award Program
The HIRE Vets Award is given out yearly. This means you can apply for the following year. The application process begins on January 31 and runs until April 30.
And be aware, there are fees to apply: $90 per applicant for small employers, $190 for medium, and $495 per applicant for large.
Whatever the size of your business, you don’t want to miss out on an opportunity like this… to be recognized by the federal government as a veteran-friendly business and employer.
For more details, visit their site at HIREVets.gov.
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