BRIAN PAIGE
WORKFORCE RECEIVES BEACON DEVELOPMENT AWARD
BRIAN PAIGE
WORKFORCE RECEIVES BEACON DEVELOPMENT AWARD
Setting Veterans Up for Success at Your Landscape Company
By Jill Odom
Solutions ’ COO , VP of HR , and branch manager are Marine Corps veterans . We have found veterans seamlessly adopt our core values of committed , humble , enthusiastic , and capable .”
Janes says it ’ s important to give your veteran employees a purpose and a team .
“ The teamwork that takes effect in many different forms ,” Janes says . “ Having that monthly barbecue on a Friday afternoon where it ’ s time to come together and break bread . We ’ re a team here . We ’ re a family here . I know it sounds very simplistic , but just having those routine interactions that are associated with good food . It works wonders .”
The transition from military service to the civilian workforce can be a significant challenge for veterans . However , the landscape industry provides the opportunity for them to have a new mission-driven purpose along with camaraderie .
“ We simply need to learn how to translate and bridge our industry to what comes natural to our veterans ,” says Tim Vela , CEO of United Veterans Construction and Landscape Solutions , Inc ., based in Fort Worth , Texas . “ The biggest benefit is we are addressing a challenge our veterans face while positioning our company to win the mission .”
Successfully Transitioning Veterans John Janes , sales and marketing support manager for Caterpillar , says the best way to support veteran employees is to provide them the opportunities to be the best they can be .
“ Most veterans do want to join that land care company and they want to serve , and they want to be the best they can be ,” Janes says . “ They do have an immediate useful set of skills in leading people , taking care of people and getting the job done .”
Joe Lewis , chief operating officer for Yard Solutions , based in Groveport , Ohio , advises having an open mind when hiring veterans . They brought on Master Sergeant Scott Childers on as an intern with no experience in the industry . He was serving in the Marine Corps on recruiting duty and before that , he was an intelligence analyst .
“ Neither were directly related to our industry , yet he found an opportunity with our team ,” Lewis says . “ He asked questions , involved himself with every aspect of our business , helped improve processes , and was hired as an operations manager at the end of his internship . He immediately improved our efficiency and increased morale . Along with Scott , Yard
Vela encourages company owners to consider becoming members of NALP ’ s Veterans in Landscape Network .
“ This is a new network that is a resource to help our members assess and implement veteran initiatives . We want this to be a resource for our veterans and NALP members to connect , educate and compete . And remember , the greatest gift we can give a veteran is a job .”
Rights and Resources While you don ’ t need any special policies in place to hire veterans , there are some different rights to be mindful of . For instance , disabled veterans are a protected class . Vela says they have opted to be fair over being equal for the greater good of the company .
“ One example is we never interfere with VA medical appointments ,” Vela says . “ If these appointments are missed , it could result in the veteran losing their disability compensation . These medical appointments are never charged to their PTO account . Is that equal ? No , but is it fair ? Absolutely .”
Lewis encourages being aware of USERRA ( Uniformed Services Employment & Reemployment Rights Act ) when hiring people in the National Guard or Reserves . This will help you stay aligned with the service member when it comes to drill weekends and / or deployments .
“ There are great resources available for employers to assist employers with hiring veterans ,” Lewis says . “ Some of the programs we utilize are career development and job placement , mental health and veterans employment , employer certification and development , as well as apprenticeships and on-the-job training .”
Reprinted from NALP ’ s The Edge – November 18 , 2023
MALP Newsline | Spring 2024 13