Moraine Park Technical College was among 25 employers statewide to be recognized as a Vets Ready Employer for 2025 by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD). The annual award recognizes Wisconsin employers that have gone above and beyond to hire and support veterans and their families.
Moraine Park was awarded a gold certification in the large-sized employer category. Applicants are rated and awarded based on criteria including the company or organization’s: support for veterans in the workplace, such as available resources, training and work environment; hiring practices to prioritize veteran hires; and efforts to connect to the wider veteran community, including military families, service members and veterans.
“I am incredibly proud of Moraine Park and our employees for their unwavering commitment to creating a place where both student and employee veterans feel supported and connected,” said Bonnie Baerwald, Moraine Park President. “This distinction reflects the dedicated work of many and affirms our continued commitment to keeping veteran support at the forefront of what we do. We are fully prepared to meet the evolving needs of those who have served, and this recognition reinforces that promise.”
Barriers to employment exist in many forms for U.S. veterans, with underemployment being the most common. DWD and its Office of Veteran Employment Services (OVES) created the Vet’s Ready program in 2020 to recognize employers who go above and beyond for veterans. This year, Moraine Park is one of two Wisconsin Technical Colleges to make the list, standing alongside Northwoods Technical College.
Moraine Park has a long-standing commitment to supporting veterans across both its student body and its employees. In addition to earning the Vets Ready award, the College recently received the Pro Patria Award for the second consecutive year, the highest honor given by an ESGR State Committee to employers that support their Guard and Reserve service members. In 2024, the College’s Student Services team was also recognized with the Seven Seals Award, and Kim Schwamn, director of student development, received the Patriot Award. Additionally, Moraine Park was nominated and placed in the top 10 nationally for the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award for two consecutive years (2024 and 2025).
