Gov. Whitmer Proclaims July 25 Hire a Veteran Day

LANSING, Mich. — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has recognized July 25, 2022 as Hire a Veteran Day to proclaim the importance of hiring veterans and to shed light on the challenges service members face when returning home and seeking employment.

“Our Soldiers and Airmen serve our state honorably and we must do everything we can to help them thrive when they return home,” said Gov. Whitmer. “I have focused on establishing programs to expand opportunity, deliver resources and make changes at the state-level to invest in our veterans and their families so that they have easier pathways to find good-paying jobs.”

Gov. Whitmer has supported veteran employment initiatives in Michigan:

• Signed four bipartisan bills to help veterans and their families advance in their careers by removing barriers that prevent service members, veterans and dependents from entering a licensed profession.
• Signed legislation to implement “Even Exchange” which waives the knowledge test requirement for a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) for qualified military drivers. This combined with the already existing skills test waiver will now allow military members and veterans with certain Military Occupation Specialty training (truck driving) to get their CDL in Michigan without additional testing required.
• Provided $6.5 million in funding for the Michigan National Guard Tuition Assistance Program that provides up to $14,400 for tuition at in-state institutions for associate and baccalaureate degrees and up to $6,000 for certificate and master’s degree programs annually to members of the Guard.
• Forged the Helmets to Hardhats partnership, helping connect 225 veterans with registered apprenticeships in Michigan’s construction industry.
• Expanded the State of Michigan veterans' preference program, making it easier for those who served our country in uniform to find a good-paying, meaningful job continuing their public service.

“As a veteran, the wife of a veteran and the mother of a military spouse, I understand the many struggles our service members face when they return home and seek employment,” said Zaneta Adams, director of the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA). “I also know firsthand that there is no better person to hire than a veteran. Veterans bring a sense of mission, a problem-solving mindset and a strong work ethic to the workplace.” 

The MVAA recognizes employers who commit to military veteran recruitment, training and retention practices through the Veteran-Friendly Employer (VFE) program. This program helps qualified organizations recruit and retain top veteran talent while providing others a road map to improve their recruitment efforts. Employers that are interested in becoming a veteran-friendly employer should complete an application or email mvaastrategy@michigan.gov with questions.

Veterans seeking information on transition assistance, job search tips or a list of veteran-friendly employers, please visit: Employment (michigan.gov).

“We’re proud to honor the sacrifices and service of our veterans and military members. Through Veterans’ Employment Services and other initiatives, LEO has a long-standing commitment to supporting veterans by offering resources that benefit both veteran career seekers and Michigan employers,” said Susan Corbin, LEO Director. “We will continue to assist and support both employers and veterans by working hard to remove barriers to achieve positive employment outcomes.”

The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, Workforce Development Veterans' Employment Services team consists of highly skilled Veterans' Career Advisors (VCA) and Local Veterans' Employment Representatives (LVER) who are trained to assist veterans with transitioning back into the civilian workplace and overcoming specific barriers to employment. Learn more: LEO - Veterans' Employment Services (michigan.gov).

View the proclamation here: July 25, 2022: Hire a Veteran Day.