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DOL Vets Medallion Program

As proud military veterans and business professionals, we make it our mission to work as a partner with our clients to ensure their veteran employment goals become reality.”

Let’s talk about the Department of Labor program and what it does to incentivize companies to hire veterans. “In January of 2019 the Secretary of Labor authorized the Department of Labor Medallion Program.  The Medallion program is the only Federally accredited credential awarded to companies for commitment to hiring and retaining veterans in their organizations.

How do we get there?

Many of my clients first question is, “How do we get there? How do we get our accreditation?  At VE Solutions we are here to help.  With nearly 3 decades of experience working with veterans, businesses and human resources, we have the right project management approach to get you to platinum status”

HONOR

Helping employers recruit, employ, and retain veterans

HONOR

The Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans Act of 2017 (HIRE Vets Act) creates a voluntary program for recognizing efforts by employers to recruit, employ, and retain veterans through a HIRE Vets Medallion Award.

INVEST

Highlights investments in Veteran Organiazations

INVEST

The Medallion Program highlights investments in Veteran Organization or Resource Groups, HR Veterans’ Initiatives, and Leadership, Pay Differential or Tuition Assistance Programs that assist in developing veteran employment efforts.

RECRUIT

Recognize the benefits of recruiting veterans

RECRUIT

Employers recognize the benefits of recruiting veterans and want to attract more in the future. Recipients have the opportunity to utilize the Medallion in the marketing of their firm when hiring, as well as to attract additional business. Let us show you how.

EMPLOY

Teaching employers how to get a competitive advantage.

EMPLOY

Veterans bring experience, adaptability, and focus. Employers applying for a HIRE Vets Medallion are reaping a competitive advantage and this award allows them to maximize the return on their investment in the veteran programs they offer.

Examples of Excellence for Integration Assistance Criteria

VETERAN ORGANIZATION OR RESOURCE GROUP

Our veteran employee resource group is a fully staffed and running organization that assists veterans and spouses with onboarding/integration, mentorship, career development, outreach, community support and recruiting. When it comes to onboarding, we have a detailed program that lays out what occurs within the first 30, 60 and 90 days. After the 90 days, new hires are encouraged to join the group. The group provides a road map of success that is agreed to by the new hire and the first line supervisor. We have touch points in place to check the progress of our new hires and ensure they are set up for success.

Our company’s Veteran Leadership Program enhances the leadership skills of veteran employees by pairing veterans with a company executive whose role and responsibilities correspond to the leadership experience of the veteran. Veterans are identified early in their employment and are integrated into leadership roles by an assigned company executive whom the veteran shadows while they perform their daily responsibilities. The veteran participates in feedback sessions and discussions with the executive during this phase of their mentorship. As the corporate leadership experience of our company’s veterans increases they are paired with a company leader whose role and responsibilities correspond to the veteran’s next logical leadership position. This professional development plan continues throughout the veteran’s employment with our company and is monitored by the company’s human resources office.

Responsibility for veteran hiring is shared across the entire recruiting team at our organization. Two recruiters and two leaders (2 full-time equivalent) are responsible for veteran recruitment. Our human resources director for training and talent management oversees a team of eight people (2 full-time equivalent) who share responsibility for development (training) and mentoring (retention) of veteran employees. Additionally, one director-level employee, the president of the employee resource group, and several contractors (4 full-time equivalent) work on veteran/military engagement, morale, and retention activities throughout the year.

The HR department has supported veterans in many ways. First, we have outreach with the American Job Center and made a hire through them this calendar year. Through this partnership with the local workforce center, our recruiters work with veteran employment specialists to actively recruit veteran job seekers and participate in community veteran networking events. Second, we provide additional training through our company at no cost to the employees. It is based on their job and is available to them either at the work-site or after hours and is paid. Third, in order to retain our veteran employees, we ensure that every client is flexible with work schedules to accommodate appointments. We have accommodations in place for service animals and employees with PTSD, hearing impairments, vision impairments and ensure facilities are accessible to those with physical limitations.

This company is committed to complying with all aspects of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act. For military leave less than one work week, employee will continue to receive full pay. For military leave exceeding one work week, the company will pay the difference between the employee’s military pay and the employee’s company salary for as long as the employee is on active duty.

Our organization has a tuition reimbursement program that will reimburse up to $5,500 per calendar year for all employees who seek to continue their education. We support continuing education with bachelor’s or post graduate degrees. We have also widened the parameters of the program to allow for technical training to be reimbursed to assist with enhancing job skills and knowledge.

2019 Medallion Award Criteria

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What our clients say about us

Angel was my program manager for the design, construction and operation of a coffee kiosk, one of the first ever onboard an aircraft carrier. With Angel’s superb program management skills and strong leadership, we were able to get the coffee kiosk set up, volunteer crew members trained as baristas, and the logistics set up for a seven month deployment in only three weeks! Amazing feat! Further, the kiosk was such a hit with the crew that the operation generated over $30,000 the first month of deployment and realized a positive return on investment in just two and a half months! Angel created a place on the ship where crew members could go to relax and feel as though they had escaped from the ship for awhile.

Angel also took the lead in preparing over 350 staterooms and Officer living areas for a critical Navy inspection. Angel expertly collaborated with over 50 senior officers onboard to develop a schedule that ensured all work was completed on time within budget. As a result of his impressive work and program management skills, our ship received a score of outstanding – one of the few ships to receive such a high rating. Angel was personally commended by the senior inspector.

Angel completed these programs all while he was running out pay and personnel services department on the ship, ensuring over 5000 crew members were paid accurately their regular pay, allowances, and travel.

One of a kind, highly energetic visionary and exceptional professional

Tiffany Schad, USN, Retired

As a member of the Board of Directors for the Veterans Leadership Council, I have personally observed the tremendous impact Angel has had on our organization through his positions as Co-President and Director of Community Outreach. During his tenure, paid, membership tripled and brand recognition spread to over 650 veteran leaders throughout Chicago.

He has demonstrated superb leadership and refined management skills, while also displaying an indefatigable work ethic. Additionally, his skilled understanding of human resource issues has been an added bonus.

I would highly recommend Angel as a business consultant, or for any HR or other corporate leadership position.

Timothy Malham, Malhan Family Allstate

“When you first meet Angel Torres, the first thoughts that come to mind are trustworthy and authentic. Angel’s work in the veteran space has been truly groundbreaking. His high energy level, passion for supporting and helping veterans in business is contagious.  As the Co-President of the Veteran Leadership Council (VLC), he drove the growth of membership and partner engagement exponentially not just in Chicago but throughout the United States.

He mentioned to me that he was starting his company and how they approach veteran engagement as a business partner.  I was absolutely blown away at what a great idea this was and how he was the perfect person to launch such an endeavor.  His extensive graduate education which includes an Executive MBA coupled with 27 years of human resources experience are a natural fit to lead this company.  Angel possesses a unique knowledge of how to tie diversity initiatives to the business strategy.  I have absolute confidence in his ability, passion and drive to support his client’s veteran employment goals.”

Glen Hampton, Equilibrium IT Solutions