November 11, 2018, was Veterans Day, which honors those who served in the United States Armed Forces.  This year, it marked the centennial commemoration of the end of World War I.  Next year, on November 11, 2019, the first group of employers to receive the HIRE Vets Medallion Award will be announced.

The Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans Act of 2017 (“HIRE Vets Act”) created the HIRE Vets Medallion Award to recognize employers who demonstrate commitment to the hiring, retention, and professional development of veterans.  Criteria for recognition vary by level (Platinum or Gold) and employer size (500-plus employees, 51-499 employees, and 50 or fewer employees).  Award recipients will receive a certificate and a digital image of the medallion to use in advertisements or other business activities.

The U.S. Department of Labor will be accepting applications beginning January 2019.  To learn more about the award, visit HireVets.gov.  To learn more about how your company can develop or enhance an initiative to hire veterans, see this Veterans Hiring Toolkit.