1. Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency Veteran Friendly Employer Workshop
David Dunckel, Employment Analyst, MVAA

2. EMPLOYMENT MVAA Mission Quality of life Health Care Education
The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency serves as the central coordinating point, connecting those who have served in the US Armed Forces and their families with the benefits they deserve.
Health Care
Quality of life
Education
Employment

3. MVAA Employment Initiatives
Why Michigan?
An amazing collaboration between state agencies . . .
Veteran-Friendly Certification
70 companies, including state agencies, have pledged to actively recruit veterans, Guard and Reserve.
. . . partnering with private sector employers and non-profits to attract veteran talent to Michigan.

4. Veterans, Guard and Reserve Transitioning active component
MVAA is reaching out
Veterans, Guard and Reserve
Transitioning active component

5. TheVeteran-Friendly Family!
Since 2014 more than 70 Michigan companies have become MVAA Veteran-Friendly Certified, and 57 Educational Institutions are certified as Veteran Friendly.
The VFE Family works together to attract veteran talent to Michigan, offer veterans exciting career opportunities across a wide range of industry, and retain veteran talent in their organization.
Numerous networking opportunities and best practices sharing through the Private Sector Veteran Employment Council and the Interagency Veteran Employment Council.

6. The Veteran-Friendly Family!
Regional support and partnerships help our VFEs connect to veteran talent:
Veteran Community Action Teams (VCAT).
MVAA Regional Outreach Initiative.
Michigan Veteran Education Initiative.
Strategic advice and guidance
from the MVAA on veteran
hiring strategies.
Next Step – introducing CMVE
to our VFEs Oct 19 PSVEC

7. We are all facing a common challenge
Skilled Workforce
With today’s falling unemployment rate and increasing demand for skilled workers, the veteran and active component transitioning service member population is a valuable source of quality talent.
Demand
Supply

8. The Value of a Veteran Your people are your greatest asset.
Veterans represent a culmination of the best qualities you look for in an employee:
Leadership
Adaptability
Innovation
Team Player
Resiliency
Result-oriented, mission driven
Loyalty

9. Michigan Veteran Population*
Over 660,000 male and female veterans reside in Michigan.
Includes 10,500 female veterans – the fastest growing demographic in the military
30,000 – 50,000 veterans will return to Michigan in next 5 years
High education levels.
45% of Post-9/11 veterans have some college
30% have a BA or higher
Unemployment rate is still disproportionate.
Almost 16% for Post-9/11 veterans years old
* As of June, 2015, MVAA

10. Veteran Hiring Support
Relocation:
Many Michigan veterans are entitled to relocation assistance including movement of household goods
Health Care:
Veterans enrolled in the VA health care system qualify for cost-free health car including prescriptions and extended care
Education Benefits:
10,500 Post-9/11 Michigan veterans utilize the GI Bill to pay for college

11. Veteran Hiring Support
On-the-Job Training and Apprenticeships:
Employers usually pay a reduced wage and veterans can use their GI Bill and receive a tax-free stipend
Fast Track Programs:
Several Michigan colleges and universities offer fast- track programs that account for a veterans military experience
Work Opportunity Tax Credit:
Funded for – up to $9,600 tax credit (40% of $24,000 first year wages)

12. MVAA Veteran Friendly Employer Certification

13. Veteran Friendly Employer Program
Illuminates and shares best practices between employers.
Communicate opportunities that exist in Michigan to transitioning service members.
No cost VA benefit briefs to your employees.
No cost assistance in developing a personalized veteran hiring strategy.
Public declaration of your commitment to helping lower veteran unemployment.

14. Veteran Friendly Employer Program
Bronze Level Veteran Friendly Certification:
Complete a short description of your company for our website
Provide a logo for publication
Complete a “snapshot” of your organization
Current # of Michigan-based employees
Current # of veterans employed
Commitment to hire veterans and veteran hiring goal
Brief description of current veteran hiring practices
Post job openings to MiTalent.org
Provide HR with MICHVET info for veteran employees
Agree to sign ESGR Statement of Support (provided by MVAA)

15. Veteran Friendly Employer Program
Silver Level Veteran Friendly Certification:
Complete Bronze level certification
Achieve stated veteran hiring goals
Describe specific veteran hiring strategies
Provide training to HR staff on value of hiring veterans
Advertise veteran friendly information and MVAA logo on company website
Share best practices with other employers
Complete at least 2 of the following:
Veteran or Guard/Reserve specific benefit package
Veteran specific onboarding program
Veteran specific employee retention program
Veteran available OJT or apprenticeship program
Track veteran, Guard/Reserve, military spouse employment applications

16. Veteran Friendly Employer Program
Gold Level Veteran Friendly Certification:
Complete Silver level certification
Retain at least 75% of veterans hired for 12 months
Provide veteran retention training to HR professionals
Complete at least 4 of the following:
Veteran specific support programs like Veterans Affinity Group or veteran employee recognition program
Veteran Spouse hiring initiative
Veteran specific career management program
Visits to active component transition sites
National level recognition for veteran hiring efforts
Participation in MVAA councils
Dedicated veteran hiring staff
Increased advertising

17. @MIVeteran /MIVeterans
800-MICH-VET ( )
MichiganVeterans.com
@MIVeteran /MIVeterans