The U.S. Department of Labor has recognized the United Brotherhood of Carpenters Military Veterans Program as one of 839 recipients of the 2024 HIRE Vets Medallion Award. The UBC MVP Program earned the platinum award for large employers. This is the fourth year in a row the program has been named a gold or platinum award recipient.
The MVP Program is a free training initiative that provides a path from the military to a career as a carpenter, millwright, or pile driver, often in the Central South Carpenters’ district.
The Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans (HIRE Vets) Medallion Program is the only federal award program that recognizes employers who successfully recruit, hire, and retain veterans.
“The UBC MVP is honored to be recognized as a platinum medallion award recipient for the fourth year in a row,” said Mark Benacquisto, executive director of UBC MW/PD Labor Management. “It’s an honor to hire veterans who have sacrificed so much for our country and have this opportunity to give back to our country’s heros. Veterans have the leadership skills, understand chain of command, show up every day, and have great attitudes!”
The Military Veterans Program is designed for soldiers transitioning out of the U.S. Army at Fort Cavazos in Killeen, Texas, Fort Drum in New York, and Fort Campbell on the Tennessee-Kentucky border. Program participants take part in a free, eight-week training program, which gives military members who are preparing for civilian life the basic skill set of a first-year apprentice and includes hands-on projects. Once civilians, these veterans join a carpenter local union and begin working.
“Transitioning from the military to civilian life is challenging,” said Kavin Griffin, executive secretary-treasurer and CEO of the Central South Carpenters Regional Council. “The MVP Program provides a bridge. We’re proud to support veterans and their career goals.”
According to the Labor Department, HIRE Vets Medallion Award recipients have shown a commitment to not only hiring veterans, but also ensuring they have a long-term career and growth plan that uses the diverse skills they acquired through their military service. Recipients of the 2024 HIRE Vets Medallion Award meet rigorous employment and veteran integration assistance criteria, including veteran hiring and retention percentages; availability of veteran-specific resources; leadership programming for veterans; dedicated human resource efforts; pay compensation and tuition assistance programs for veterans.
If you know someone who’s getting ready to leave military service and would be a good fit for our trade, please tell them about the UBC MVP Program. Our council welcomes all veterans as well. They can apply for membership here.