Idaho National Laboratory has earned a 2022 HIRE Vets Medallion Gold Award from the U.S. Department of Labor for its efforts to hire, retain and provide professional development opportunities for veterans. INL earned this honor for the first time in 2022.
“This is the first year INL has earned this award, and we could not be more pleased,” said John Wagner, Idaho National Laboratory director. “Eligibility requires meeting rigorous criteria for veteran employment. This achievement represents a milestone in our efforts to recruit, retain and provide development opportunities for veterans. We hope it inspires more veterans to begin a career at INL.”
To be eligible for the award, INL had to achieve at least 7% veteran hiring and 75% veteran retention, in addition to meeting standards for employee resource groups, professional development opportunities and organizational commitment to veterans’ programs.
“On behalf of everyone at INL, I would like to thank all veterans for the many sacrifices they and their families have made on behalf of all of us and our nation,” Wagner said. “We are grateful for your service, and we are honored to call you colleagues and friends.”
The HIRE Vets Medallion Program recognizes employers for their efforts to recruit, employ and retain our nation’s veterans. The Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans (HIRE Vets) Act of 2017 was signed into law in May 2017. The Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) administers the HIRE Vets Medallion Program. Awards were presented at a virtual ceremony. A recording of the awards ceremony is available here.
INL participates in multiple programs designed to help veterans transition to the civilian workforce, including the Hiring Our Heroes Corporate Fellowship Program and the U.S. Department of Defense SkillBridge program. Within the laboratory, the Veterans and People with Disabilities Leadership Council is an employee-led, leadership-sponsored group dedicated to creating a physically and psychologically safe environment where colleagues are valued and empowered.
Individuals who are interested in learning more about opportunities at INL are encouraged to visit inl.gov/careers.
