Summary
The [[Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency|MVAA]] has awarded **Gold-level Veteran-Friendly Employer (VFE)** status to **AlixPartners**, the **Michigan Gaming Control Board**, and the **Michigan State Lottery**. This recognition highlights their dedication to recruiting, training, and retaining veterans and service members. With these additions, Michigan now boasts **36 Gold-level VFE employers** and **190 active employers** in the broader VFE program. These companies have demonstrated significant commitment through initiatives like veteran resource groups, specialized leave policies, and service credit for military experience, contributing to high veteran employee retention rates.
Key Takeaways
- Three Michigan employers achieved Gold-level Veteran-Friendly Employer status.
- The MVAA program recognizes companies for veteran recruitment, training, and retention.
- Michigan now has 36 Gold-level VFE employers.
- High veteran employee retention rates were noted for AlixPartners (86%) and the Michigan Gaming Control Board (95%).
- These awards encourage broader adoption of veteran support practices in the workplace.
Balanced Perspective
The MVAA's VFE program aims to formalize and recognize employer efforts in supporting veterans. The Gold-level designation is awarded based on specific criteria related to recruitment, training, and retention. The reported retention rates of **86% for AlixPartners** and **95% for the Michigan Gaming Control Board** provide quantifiable evidence of their success in integrating veterans into their workforce. The program's expansion, now including 36 Gold-level employers, indicates a sustained, albeit specific, focus on this demographic within the Michigan business community.
Optimistic View
This award signifies a growing recognition among Michigan employers of the immense value veterans bring to the workforce. The success of **AlixPartners**, the **Michigan Gaming Control Board**, and the **Michigan State Lottery** in achieving Gold-level status, with high retention rates, serves as a powerful case study. It encourages more companies to adopt similar veteran-centric hiring and support practices, ultimately strengthening the state's economy and providing meaningful career paths for those who have served.
Critical View
While these awards are positive, the relatively small number of Gold-level employers (36 out of 190 active VFE participants) suggests that widespread adoption of robust veteran-friendly practices remains a challenge. The reliance on specific programs like veteran resource groups and service credit may not be universally applicable or sufficient for all veterans. Furthermore, the focus on retention rates, while important, doesn't fully address potential barriers to initial entry-level employment for veterans with less conventional career paths.
Source
Originally reported by State of Michigan (.gov)