Dan Caraccio, Covanta VP and General Manager of Municipal Services and Vineet Wadhwa, Covanta Director of Talent Acquisition, talk about recruiting and integrating Veterans into Covanta’s workforce and the benefits for the company and employees.
When did Covanta start specifically looking to hire veterans at their company? Why?
Covanta has historically employed many veterans as we look for professionals that not only possess exceptional technical skillsets, but also exemplary qualities such as teamwork, dedication, and integrity. These skills and abilities are highly transferable to our business. For decades now, we’ve recognized the value they bring to the organization and we are proud that approximately 15 percent of our U.S. workforce is comprised of military veterans.
What does a Talent Ambassador do? How does Covanta recruit veterans to work at the company?
In the past three to four years, we have expanded our outreach efforts by participating in a variety of recruiting events geared specifically for veterans. In addition to hosting veteran-focused career fairs at our facilities, we have also organized an internal group of employees who are also veterans to assist hiring managers in translating military titles and responsibilities into the needs of our business. Talent Ambassadors play a very engaged role in our talent acquisition, onboarding and retention strategy.
Through the work of this group, comprised of corporate and field-based employees, we have developed effective programs designed to serve veterans in four key areas: recruitment, recognition, support and charitable contributions.
Why is the green job market particularly attractive to veterans?
Renewable energy jobs in the U.S. increased by 6 percent in 2015, signaling a growing opportunity for veterans to put highly transferable technical military training to work. Simply put, veterans protected the country and are now helping to protect the environment with Covanta.
What kind of skills learned in military training are highly transferable to waste management positions?
In addition to the leadership and organizational skills associated with military training, many veterans can bring technical, mechanical and operations knowledge to the organization. For example, our electrical and instrumentation technicians require a high level of specific expertise and we have found that many veterans are able to hit the ground running in the position. In addition, many Navy veterans are able to demonstrate a sharp learning curve due to their experience with boilers and pressure parts.
What kind of skillset do you look for when hiring veterans to positions at Covanta?
Covanta looks for veterans with strong technical and operations knowledge, demonstrated leadership ability, a passion for what we do, and a desire to learn and build a career. Roles can range from entry level to supervisory.
As our newly formed subsidiary Covanta Environmental Solutions continues to grow, we have been able to provide new employment opportunities as the skillsets we need have expanded to include field technicians and drivers. Covanta Environmental Solutions has a nationwide network of solid and liquid material processing facilities and provides solutions to a range of customers in the pharmaceutical industry, consumer products, automotive and other industrial manufacturers.
How have recruitment efforts been going? How have the veterans that work for Covanta adjusted to their positions?
Since 2013, Covanta has added 230 veterans to the team. Our recruiting efforts have been successful in attracting and engaging the veteran talent pool and they quickly adjust to their new positions. We’ve been able to attract and retain so many veterans because of the variety of roles we offer at more than 60 locations around the U.S. Our vast network of facilities, in more than 20 states, enables veterans to build a career with fulfilling work.
Why is this type of program important and how can other companies start to implement something like this?
Veterans make important sacrifices on behalf of our nation. They embody the meaning of courage and we are grateful for their many contributions, which make the liberties we all enjoy possible. With two long and protracted wars winding down in Iraq and Afghanistan, a large number of talented servicemen and women are transitioning from military service to the private sector. Finding their next career is top of mind for a majority of these individuals, and Covanta has risen to the occasion by undertaking an aggressive campaign to hire qualified veterans to fill important vacancies throughout the company. Other companies should consider similar steps to include veterans in their hiring process. Covanta Veterans are a valuable and critical part of our diverse workforce.
For more information, visit www.covanta.com or to see a video, click on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Shf2l4YMghc&feature=youtu.be.