Spectrum Health is a veteran-friendly employer. Back in 2013 it began helping veterans struggling to get back into the workforce with its Veteran Explorers program. An opportunity for veterans to align skill sets with employment opportunities at the hospital. Thursday, the program was honored for its successes.
Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency has classified Spectrum Health a Certified Veteran-Friendly Employer at the Bronze Level. It’s one of 54 businesses achieving the honor.
Tina Richardson is MVAA Deputy Director of Target Initiatives.
“The bronze is basically looking at your organization today, telling us how many veterans you have. You’d be surprised how many organizations don’t even know if they have veterans. So taking that and being cognizant of it and then making a commitment to hiring so many veterans within the next year.”
Retaining and growing affinity programs are the next steps towards silver and gold honors.
So far in 2016 Spectrum Health has hired 132 veterans.
But it’s those veterans struggling with the transition to civilian life and employment where Spectrum Health’s Veteran Explorer Program offers opportunities to match skills through 10-week long rotations. Think of it as a paid internship.
Nicole McConnell is Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Spectrum Health.
“We’ve seen great success with them coming on board. There are several that I work with within the H.R. Department and the value they brought to the organization of helping us think, not only about how we employ veterans, but how do we better care for veterans through our business whether it’s insurance or clinical it’s been really valuable. And so, we can’t say enough about what the investment has turned out in terms of return on investment.”
Forty five Veteran Explorers have entered the program with 26 hired into Spectrum Health.
Gary Vetitoe returned to civilian life from the U.S. Army in 2012. He tells me times were tough. In 2014 he gave the Veteran Explorers program a shot. A former Army Recruiter, his skill set was a fit. Now he’s Spectrum Health’s Veteran Recruiter
“I couldn’t be more proud, not only of my organization, but the support from my leadership and the support from my peers and that’s where I’ve been operating behind the scenes for this. I can genuinely say it’s been a team effort to get here today.”
Spectrum Health also signed a letter with the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a Department of Defense office, promising to advocate and protect the re-employment rights of service members.
Patrick Center, WGVU News.