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Contact: Kristin Alexander, 360-902-9540, kalexander@esd.wa.gov
               Janelle Guthrie, 360-902-9289, JGuthrie@ESD.WA.GOV

OLYMPIA -Seven Washington employers will receive recognition from the state Employment Security Department for hiring veterans. Agency Commissioner Dale Peinecke announced the award recipients this week in conjunction with National Military Appreciation Month and the upcoming Memorial Day holiday.

"The men and women who serve in our military bring valuable skills and experience to civilian jobs after they've completed their active duty," Peinecke said. "These seven employers have demonstrated their commitment to providing jobs for veterans in our state again and again."

Award recipients were nominated by WorkSource veterans-employment representatives who work directly with employers to help recruit, hire and retain veterans. They will be honored during ceremonies to be scheduled in their communities. The recipients are:

• Aerotek: This staffing and recruiting company was selected for its role in recruiting veterans in Kitsap County to fill a variety of shipyard positions. Aerotek regularly attends hiring events at WorkSource Kitsap County. Between February 2014 and February 2015, 182 of 225 applicants hired were veterans. An estimated 81 percent of its workforce in Bremerton are veterans.
• Chelan County Public Utility District: Chelan County PUD recruits workers through WorkSource Wenatchee and participated in a program that provided seven veterans with a half-day of job shadowing, mock interviews and resume assistance. It currently employs 73 veterans, who make up nearly 10 percent of its workforce.
• Hughes Group: This Tacoma company provides professional services and logistics to the armed forces and business community. As of March, 60 percent of the company's workforce are veterans. Hughes Group is classified as a small disadvantaged business and a service-disabled veteran-owned small business. Owner Patrick Hughes was named national Minority Small Business Person of the Year in 2010. Hughes Group has found many of its veteran workers through WorkSource Pierce County. Hughes' philosophy is "Veterans hire veterans."
• ICD Coatings: About 40 percent of employees at this small veteran-owned business in Ridgefield are veterans. The company regularly hires applicants during veteran hiring events at WorkSource Vancouver and by searching resumes at go2worksource.com. ICD Coatings also has agreed to participate in employer-led workshops and panels.
• Triumph Actuation Systems: As of March, 45 of 290 employees at this Yakima company are veterans. The business recruits employees through WorkSource Yakima, provides hiring priority to veterans and regularly participates in community events to show its commitment to veterans.
• Vaagen Brothers Lumber: This Colville business conducts hiring events at WorkSource Colville, lists all its openings on go2worksource.com and highly encourages veterans to apply for its positions. As of March, 18 of its 228 employees are veterans.
• Washington River Protection Solutions: This Richland company employs 188 veterans, or about 12 percent of its workforce, at the Hanford nuclear site. It regularly recruits employees through WorkSource Columbia Basin and participates in mock interviews, resume-writing classes and featured employer events.

Washington's WorkSource system is a statewide partnership of state, local and nonprofit agencies that deliver a wide array of employment and training services for job seekers and employers. The Employment Security Department is a WorkSource partner.

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