Lake County Gazette

The HIRE Vets Medallion Program is an employer recognition initiative administered by the Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS). The program accepts voluntary applications from employers for the HIRE Vets Medallion Award beginning on January 31 of each calendar year. This award acknowledges employers who hire and retain veterans, including their efforts to establish employee development programs and veteran-specific benefits to improve retention.

“As a proud veteran of the United States Navy from 1965 to 1971, I am encouraging employers to learn about the Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans Act of 2017 (HIRE Vets Act or the Act), signed by President Trump in 2017,” said State Representative Paul Jacobs, a member of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee. “This program recognizes employer efforts to recruit, employ, and retain veterans. ”

Employer-applicants meeting criteria established in the rule receive a “HIRE Vets Medallion Award. ” There are two award tiers, Platinum and Gold, for large (500-plus employees), medium (51-499 employees), and small employers (50 or fewer employees). Verification of award criteria includes a self-attestation by the applicant CEO or CHRO and a check for violations of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Act (VEVRAA).

Successful employers receive a certificate stating the award year, a digital image of the medallion to use in various business activities, and recognition on the program website. Award recipients can utilize the medallion in marketing their firm as a veteran-ready business when hiring and in efforts to attract additional business.

Detailed information about gaining eligibility can be found at HIREVets.gov or by contacting HIREVets@dol.gov.