Press Release: Gov. Evers Announces Winners of 2023 Vets Ready Employer Awards

State of Wisconsin sent this bulletin at 11/07/2023 02:44 PM CST
Office of Governor Tony Evers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 7, 2023
Contact: GovPress@wisconsin.gov 
 
**UPDATED** Gov. Evers Announces Winners of 2023 Vets Ready Employer Awards
Seventeen employers honored for exemplary commitment to hiring and supporting veterans
MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today announced the 2023 winners of the Vets Ready Employer Initiative. The award recognizes Wisconsin employers who have gone above and beyond in efforts to hire and support veterans and their families.

“Our nation’s heroes have given so much in service to our country and often face unique obstacles when they return home, including in finding family-supporting employment,” said Gov. Evers. “Veterans bring invaluable and tremendous assets to the workplace, and I commend these Vets Ready employers for their work to hire and support veterans. This distinction will help elevate the work of these employers and give them the competitive edge in recruiting and retaining veterans.”

The Vets Ready Employer Initiative encourages employers to build a support system within their workplace, hire and retain more veterans, and connect to veterans in the community and their families. Every year, the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) and its Office of Veteran Employment Services (OVES) recognize businesses with either a gold or silver certification in one of three categories: small, medium, and large. Award program partners include the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), Wisconsin Department of Disabled American Veterans, and the Wisconsin Veterans Chamber of Commerce. 

“Employers that demonstrate exemplary support for the veteran community have a winning formula for success for their business and for the community,” said DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek. “We are proud to honor these employers through the Vets Ready Employer Initiative.” 

Award-winning employers are prompted by DWD staff, veteran agencies and organizations, and workforce partners through resources such as DWD’s website. Additionally, winners are highlighted as a Vets Ready employer on JobCenterofWisconsin.com and recognized with a special icon on JobCenterofWisconsin.com to indicate the employer’s Vets Ready status. Winners are also given a Vets Ready Winner emblem to include on the company’s website and presented a certificate on behalf of the governor. 

An unprecedented 17 employers are being honored this year at events in Milwaukee and Oshkosh. The 2023 awardees include: 

Large
Gold Certification
Deloitte LLP, Madison
Oshkosh Corp., Oshkosh
Rockwell Automation, Milwaukee
TDS Telecom, Madison
WE Energies, Milwaukee
WI Physicians Services Insurance Co., Madison
Xcel Energy, Eau Claire

Silver Certification
4imprint, Oshkosh
Del Monte Foods, Plover
Frank Beverage Group, Madison
Kimberly-Clark, Neenah
Menasha Corp., Neenah

Medium
Silver Certification
Kingsbury Inc., Oshkosh
Worthington Cylinders, Chilton

Small
Gold Certification
Grant County, Lancaster
MCC Inc., Appleton

Silver Certification
Northwood Technical College, Rice Lake

Additional details about the Vets Ready Employer Initiative, including answers to common questions about the program, are available online here.
 
An online version of this release is available here.
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