Governor Kay Ivey and Alabama Department of Workforce Secretary Greg Reed last week encouraged Alabama employers to hire veterans by applying for and participating in the Hire Vets Medallion Award Program, a U.S. Department of Labor program.
The application period runs from January 30-April 30, 2026.
“We need our veterans in Alabama’s workforce, and as governor, I’ve made it a priority to connect their diverse talents with meaningful opportunities,” Ivey said. “These extraordinary men and women deserve our very best, and I am proud of Alabama’s world-class employers for helping our veterans provide for themselves and their families after service.”
“We are fortunate to have a large population of veterans who call Alabama home and many employers in a variety of industries that are ready to hire them,” Reed said. “The Hire Vets program honors the recruiting and employing of veterans across the state of Alabama.”
The Alabama Department of Workforce’s Jobs for Veterans State Grant staff works with employers to raise awareness of the program and help them qualify for the medallion.
The awards are the only federal veterans employment honor recognizing a company’s or organization’s commitment to hiring, retaining and professionally developing veterans. In 2025, 48 Alabama companies received the Hire Vets Medallion Award. Since the program began, more than 160 Alabama businesses have received the award, along with more than 2,000 businesses nationwide.
The Hire Vets Medallion Award is based on several criteria, including veteran hiring and retention, veteran-specific resources, leadership programming, dedicated human resources, and compensation and tuition assistance programs. Requirements vary for large, medium and small employers.
To learn more, create an account or update an existing account for the Hire Vets Medallion Award Program, visit HireVets.gov or one of Alabama’s 57 Career Centers for assistance.
