Carbondale Reporter

All organizations with at least one veteran employee are encouraged to apply for the HIRE Vets Medallion Award. Applications for this recognition close on April 30.

Rep. Jacobs, a member of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee and a veteran of the United States Navy from 1965 to 1971, urges employers to learn about the Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans Act of 2017 (HIRE Vets Act). "This program recognizes employer efforts to recruit, employ, and retain veterans," he stated.

The HIRE Vets Medallion Program is managed by the Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS). It accepts voluntary applications from employers starting January 31 each year. The award acknowledges employers who hire and retain veterans and establish employee development programs and veteran-specific benefits.

Employers meeting established criteria receive a “HIRE Vets Medallion Award.” The awards are categorized into two tiers, Platinum and Gold, applicable to large (500-plus employees), medium (51-499 employees), and small employers (50 or fewer employees). Verification includes self-attestation by the applicant CEO or CHRO and checks for compliance with the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Act (VEVRAA).

Award recipients receive a certificate, a digital image of the medallion for use in advertisements or business activities, and recognition on the program website. This medallion can be used in marketing efforts as a veteran-ready business.

Further information about eligibility is available at HIREVets.gov or by contacting HIREVets@dol.gov.

In Illinois, businesses are actively hiring through Illinoisjoblink.com. The state's job board lists over 100,000 help-wanted ads. Job seekers can create multiple resumes highlighting various skills, while employers can utilize keyword matching technology to find suitable candidates. Illinoisjoblink.com offers free services compared to costly private alternatives. No-cost HR recruitment services are also accessible via their website or at (877) 342-7533.