Ryder lauded for hiring vets

While much of the industry grapples with a skilled-labor shortage, Ryder System Inc. has filled nearly 6,000 positions from an often overlooked labor pool: retired military veterans. Veterans with logistics-related experience have proved to be a good fit with the Miami-based transportation and supply chain company's operations, Ryder says. "The veteran community ... is rich with disciplined, stand-up individuals whose skill sets match well with positions in our company, from diesel technicians to logistics managers," said Ryder Chairman and CEO Robert Sanchez in a statement.

Last month, the company was honored for its efforts when the U.S. Chamber of Commerce presented Ryder with its "Hiring Our Heroes Lee Anderson Veteran and Military Spouse Employment Award," citing the company's record of hiring and retaining veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses.

Since Ryder launched its military recruiting program six years ago, the company has hired more than 5,850 veterans and increased the percentage of veterans among its U.S. workforce to more than 11 percent, the company said.

As part of its recruiting efforts, Ryder provides a 12-week, hands-on diesel technician training program for military veterans exiting the service. Hosted at Fort Sill in Oklahoma and Fort Riley in Kansas, the program has graduated 43 students to date, with 10 more slated to complete the training this month. The company has also created a Women Veterans Task Force consisting of female military veterans in managerial or supervisorial roles at Ryder who serve as brand ambassadors and positive voices in the veteran community.