This example is not prescriptive; it simply demonstrates a possible approach contractors may take when using the national benchmark.
As described in National Benchmark - Example I, World Business Company (WBC), a contractor in Portland, Oregon, established its hiring benchmark by using the national benchmark of 5.5% for 2022. WBC selected the 2022 percentage based on their current VEVRAA AAP dates: January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023.
For this example (National Benchmark - Example II), WBC IS six months into the current AAP year and is subject to provide OFCCP with certain data for at least the first six months of the current AAP year.
WBC received a scheduling letter on July 1, 2023. In addition to the data for the preceding year (1/1/22 to 12/31/22) and analysis included in National Benchmark - Example I, WBC also submitted six months of current year (1/1/23 to 6/30/23) data. Below is the sample submission for the six months of current year data, displayed adjacent to the prior year data, for comparison.
Data Collection | 1/1/22 to 12/31/22 | 1/1/23 to 6/30/23 |
|---|---|---|
| The total number of applicants | 5,750 | 2,004 |
| The total number of applicants who self-identified as a protected veteran | 178 | 119 |
| The total number of new hires | 800 | 311 |
| The total number of new hires who self-identified as a protected veteran | 29 | 17 |
| National benchmark percentage as of 3/31/22 | 5.5% | - |
| National benchmark percentage as of 3/31/23 | - | 5.4% |
| Veteran applicant percentage | 3.1% | 5.9% |
| Veteran hiring percentage | 3.6% | 5.4% |
After reviewing the preceding year (1/1/22 to 12/31/22) data and recognizing they did not meet the national benchmark of 5.5%, WBC identified alternative efforts to recruit veterans in the months ahead. This included contacting additional local colleges, sending additional job openings to veteran representatives, connecting with the new local veteran group WBC met at the November 13, 2022, job fair, and building an outreach relationship with the United States Army Transition Assistance Program (TAP) to gain insight on effective strategies when hiring transitioning soldiers or veterans.
WBC’s hiring of protected veterans increased from 3.6% to 5.4% during the first six months of WBC’s current year (1/1/23 to 6/30/23). This percentage not only matches the national benchmark percentage (5.4%) in 2023, but also shows WBC’s significant progress in recruiting and hiring protected veterans. A full evaluation of WBC’s outreach and recruitment efforts in their 2024 VEVRAA AAP (1/1/23 to 12/31/23 data) will determine if the new efforts and/or other factors had a positive impact on the hiring of protected veterans.
For more information on the VEVRAA hiring benchmark, please visit OFCCP’s VEVRAA frequently asked questions.
Last updated on June 14, 2024