17-063

Contacts:  Sam Mitchell, veterans program manager, 360-570-6953, smitchell@esd.wa.gov
                  Bill Tarrow, deputy communications director, 360-528-7045, btarrow@esd.wa.gov

OLYMPIA – The state Employment Security Department today recognized 12 Washington businesses/agencies for their efforts to employ military veteran in 2017.

Department commissioner Dale Peinecke announced the Hire-A-Vet award recipients in support of Gov. Jay Inslee’s Hire-A-Veteran Month proclamation and the upcoming Veterans Day holiday.

“Hiring a veteran isn’t just a good idea, it’s good business,” said Peinecke. “Today’s veterans are highly skilled and possess an amazing work ethic. I encourage other Washington businesses to follow the lead of these companies and consider veterans in their next hiring decisions.”

Award recipients were nominated by WorkSource veterans employment representatives who work directly with employers to help recruit, hire and retain veterans.

The recipients:

• McLaughlin Research Corporation (MRC) — This engineering and technical support company in Keyport has hired 15 veterans in 2017 – which represents 37 percent of its workforce in Washington. MRC advertises its jobs on WorkSourceWA.com, takes part in local hiring events and participates in the state’s YesVets program to promote the hiring of military veterans.
  
  
• Department of Licensing (DOL) — This state agency has employed 41 veterans since February 2016, of which 18 were hired this year. No other company or agency in the area has hired more veterans through WorkSource in 2017. DOL also participates in various groups and programs to help veterans and participates in the statewide YesVets
  
  
• Janicki Industries — This high-precision parts and tooling company in Sedro Woolley has hired 25 veterans in 2017 and participates in the statewide YesVets The company has a long track record of hiring military veterans and has developed a strong partnership with WorkSource to advertise its jobs and to recruit veteran talent. 
  
  
• Comcast Service Center — This Comcast Service Center in Lynnwood worked with WorkSource to recruit and hire 12 veterans in 2017. Comcast used WorkSourceWA.com to promote job openings and attended numerous veteran-focused hiring events in Snohomish County in 2017. As a results, the company’s Washington Recruiting Region was named #1 in the nation with Comcast.
  
  
• G4S Secure Solutions (USA) — This federal contractor employs roughly 400 security professionals in Seattle, of which 36 percent are veterans. Additionally, G4S Secure Solutions hired 56 veterans in 2017 and participates in the statewide YesVets
  
  
• Pierce County — Pierce County has made a concerted effort to recruit and hire veterans in 2017. Since January, the local government has hired 26 veterans to a variety of high pay positions. Pierce County takes part in the statewide YesVets program and has committed to hiring more veterans in 2018.
  
  
• ADD Security Inc. — This Vancouver-based security firm reached out to WorkSource for the first time in 2017 to recruit qualified veterans. To date, the company has hired nine veterans, representing 81 percent of its workforce.
  
  
• McCain Foods — This frozen potato-products company in Othello employs roughly 500 employees, of which 25 are veterans. The hiring manager works directly with WorkSource veteran staff to recruit and hire qualified veterans. McCain participates every year in the Veteran Job & Resource Fair and recently sponsored a POW/MIA event that raised $18,000 for the Fisher House and Thomas A. Biddle Foundation to assist veterans. 
  
  
• Shields Bag and Printing — This family-owned business has hired 17 veterans since last year – more than any other private-sector employer.  Most veteran employees start off as off-bearers earning up to $16 per hour and can promote up to a machine operator making up to $22 per hour. Shields Bag and Printing participates in the statewide YesVets program and is a proud sponsor of the Yakima County Veterans Stand Down that occurred last month. 
  
  
• Boise Cascade — Boise Cascade is the largest employer in Stevens County with some 400 employees. The company hired nine veterans in 2017 and participates in the statewide YesVets Boise Cascade continues to focus on veteran recruitment strategies, and has consistently boasted over 5 percent of its positions being occupied by veterans.
  
  
• CH2M Hill Plateau Remediation Company — CH2M has hired 30 veterans in 2017 and participates in the statewide YesVets The company is a strong partner of WorkSource Columbia Basin and frequently participates in local hiring events and workshops that help veterans.
  
  
• Patronus Services, Inc. — This security firm provides highly trained security services for U.S. federal buildings from Yakima to Coeur’d Alene. It employs 49 veterans in Washington, which is 88 percent of its total workforce and participates in the statewide YesVets

Peinecke encourages interested businesses to contact their local WorkSource center for help hiring veterans. Employment Security has staff at centers who are specifically assigned to help veterans find jobs, including disabled veterans. The department has provided these services to veterans since 1933.

WorkSource places about 10,000 veterans into jobs each year. There are currently nearly 600,000 military veterans living in Washington.

WorkSource in a partnership of state, local and non-profit agencies that work together to deliver employment and training services to Washington businesses and job seekers.

  
Other help for veterans and incentives for employers

• Department of Revenue: Business and Occupation or Public Utility Tax credits
• Employment Security Department: Work Opportunity Tax Credit
• Department of Veteran Affairs: Veterans Employee Resource Group
                                               Veteran Owned Business Certification

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