Moraine Park Technical College was among 22 employers statewide to be recognized as a Vets Ready Employer for 2024 by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) and its Office of Veteran Employment Services (OVES). The annual award recognizes Wisconsin employers that have gone above and beyond to hire and support veterans and their families. Moraine Park was awarded a gold certification in the large-sized employer category. Applicants are rated and awarded based on criteria including the company or organization’s: support for veterans in the workplace, such as available resources, training and work environment; hiring practices to prioritize veteran hires; and efforts to connect to the wider veteran community, including military families, service members and veterans. “I believe the importance of Moraine Park Technical College receiving the Vets Ready recognition validates the college’s commitment to supporting the veterans employed at the college and demonstrates to the public that MPTC is genuinely concerned for its employees, going above and beyond to help those who have or currently wear the uniform,” Steve Pepper, student veteran specialist at Moraine Park, said. “As an employee of Moraine Park and a retired service member, I have felt supported from the beginning, first as a student and now as the college’s student veteran specialist, and this acknowledgement encourages me to keep that commitment going.” Veterans have given much in service to our country and often face special challenges in finding sustaining employment. 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. Employers that demonstrate exemplary support for the veteran community understand what a tremendous asset these veterans are to the community and their businesses. Moraine Park has a long history of supporting both student and employee veterans. In addition to the Vets Ready award, last summer the College received the Pro Patria Award, the highest recognition given by an ESGR State Committee to employers for their support of their employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve; the Student Services team received the Seven Seals Award, recognizing their organizational achievement, stepping up to fill in for Scott Lieburn’s extended military leave; and, Kim Schwamn, who covered Lieburn’s duties as dean of students, received the Patriot Award, which recognizes the efforts made to support citizen warriors through a wide-range of measures. They were also nominated for the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, a national recognition, and were among the top ten nationwide.
About Vets Ready Employer Initiative: The Vets Ready Employer Initiative serves to encourage 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) recognizes businesses who have gone above and beyond for the veteran workforce. Businesses are separated into three categories – small, medium or large – and either receive a gold or silver certification. Award program partners include the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), Wisconsin Department of Disabled American Veterans, American Legion Department of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Veterans Chamber of Commerce.
Details about the Vets Ready Employer Initiative and how to apply are available online here.
