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DWD Announces Winners of 2024 Vets Ready Employer Awards

Twenty-two employers honored for exemplary commitment to hire and support veterans

MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) today announced the 2024 winners of the Vets Ready Employer Initiative. The award recognizes Wisconsin employers that have gone above and beyond to hire and support veterans and their families. A record 22 employers of all sizes are being honored this year.

"Our nation’s veterans have given so much in service to our country and often face special challenges when they return home, including finding family-supporting employment,” DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek said. “Veterans bring invaluable experience to the workplace, and I commend these Vets Ready employers for employing and engaging veterans. This distinction elevates the work of these employers and gives 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 and their families in the community. 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 employer categories: small, medium, and large. Award program partners include the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, the Disabled American Veterans Department of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Veterans Chamber of Commerce, the Wisconsin American Legion, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserves, and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.

Award-winning employers will be invited to a recognition event. Recipients are promoted 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.

Among the 22 employers honored, the seven companies that are first-time recipients are indicated with an asterisk. The 2024 awardees are:

Large

Gold Certification

• 4imprint Inc., Oshkosh
• Del Monte Foods Inc., Plover
• Deloitte LLP, Madison
• Frank Beverage Group, Middleton
• Goodwill Industries of North Central Wisconsin, Menasha*
• Kimberly-Clark Corp., Neenah
• Menasha Corp., Neenah
• Moraine Park Vocational and Technical College, Fond du Lac*
• Oshkosh Corp., Oshkosh
• Rockwell Automation, Milwaukee
• TDS Telecom, Madison
• U.S. Venture Inc., Appleton*
• UW Health, Middleton*
• We Energies, Milwaukee

Silver Certification

• Old Wisconsin Sausage Co., Sheboygan*
• Superior Water Light and Power, Superior*
• Waupaca Foundry Inc., Waupaca*
• Xcel Energy, Eau Claire

Medium

Gold Certification

• Worthington Cylinders, Chilton

Small

Gold Certification

• MCC Inc., Appleton
• Northwood Technical College, Rice Lake
• Precision Iceblast Corp., Peshtigo

Additional details about the Vets Ready Employer Initiative, including answers to common questions about the program, and how to better support veterans in the workplace are available online.

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Wisconsin's Department of Workforce Development efficiently delivers effective and inclusive services to meet Wisconsin's diverse workforce needs now and for the future. The department advocates for and invests in the protection and economic advancement of all Wisconsin workers, employers, and job seekers through six divisions – Employment and Training, Vocational Rehabilitation, Unemployment Insurance, Equal Rights, Worker's Compensation, and Administrative Services. To keep up with DWD announcements and information, sign up for news releases and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.