Ford certified as Gold-level Veteran-Friendly Employer

DEARBORN, Mich. – Ford Motor Company has become just the 23rd employer in Michigan to be certified as a Gold-level Veteran-Friendly Employer (VFE) through the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency.

The prestigious Gold designation has been granted to just 4.2% of the more than 540 VFEs across the state for their commitment to recruiting, training and retaining veterans and National Guard and Reserve members.

Ford employs some 6,000 veterans and supports them with its Veteran Network Group, an employee resource group that focuses on the company’s mission of helping current and former service members. This group provides holistic support programs to help veterans return to civilian life or continue to build their careers after their time in the military is up.

“Ford understands the real value of hiring veterans,” said MVAA Director Adam Hollier. “Our veterans are highly trained and disciplined workers who bring to the table a problem-solving mindset and a dedication to completing the mission. We applaud Ford for their continued and comprehensive support of our former service members. We hope other employers follow Ford’s lead as consumers continue to support our Veteran-Friendly Employers.”

Ford has been a Silver-level VFE for more than five years, and just recently earned the advancement to Gold. Among the company’s veteran benefits is continued health care for deployed service members and the Ford Veteran Careers Program, a 24-month registered apprenticeship that’s approved by the U.S. Department of Labor and the GI Bill. This program ties into Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s goal of increasing the number of working-age adults with a skill certificate or college degree from 49% today to 60% by 2030.

Ford is also a state leader in hiring veterans through SkillBridge, a Department of Defense program that offers employment training, internships and apprenticeships to transitioning service members.

“Achieving the Gold-level Veteran-Friendly Employer award gives recognition and value to the real work the Veteran Network Group has done to take care of veterans at Ford and the impact we have had,” said John Savona, a veteran and vice president at Ford. “This award motivates us to continue working tirelessly to support our veteran community, further advancing their inclusion, equitable employment and sense of belonging as an important part of our Ford family.”

For more on the VFE program, visit Michigan.gov/MVAA.