Executive Summary of this Report

The Commissioner of Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) is required by Minnesota law (Article 3, Section 22 of Chapter 94) to annually collect data on the number of veterans in cabinet-level state agencies and veteran information at various points in the state recruitment and selection process. In addition, Executive Order 10-13 instructs state agencies to submit to MMB their veteran-focused recruitment and retention efforts demonstrating their support and commitment to making Minnesota a more military- and veteran-friendly state.

Recently, MMB kicked off a statewide campaign to acknowledge, support, and extend appreciation to our veterans, service members, employees, and fallen heroes throughout the month of November 2017. Activities were planned as a part of the state's efforts to acknowledge current veterans and active service members currently working for the state, and also to recruit more veterans and active service members to consider state employment.

According to fiscal year 2017 data, approximately 8.3 percent of the state government full-time employees in cabinet-level agencies self-identified as veterans. By comparison, 7.3 percent of Minnesota’s population over the ages of 18 are veterans (US Census, 2016 American Community Survey). Cabinet-level agencies hired 413 (7.5 percent) veterans into full-time unlimited positions in fiscal year 2017. Note, employees are not required to self-identify their veteran status.

Veterans are not a protected group under Minnesota law, however the state continually monitors and recruits this group. The state achieved its eight percent goal for percent of veterans in the State of Minnesota workforce. (The goal was based on U.S. Census statewide demographics.) Ten percent of all state employees are veterans. Our analysis shows that the number of veterans in state government will continue to decrease if the percent of veteran applicants and new hires does not increase to at least 13 percent.

In fiscal year 2017:

• Seven percent of all applicants were veterans.
• Almost nine percent of all hires were veterans.
  
• Ten percent of all state employees are veterans.
  

To promote the state as a veteran-friendly employer and to increase opportunities for veterans in state government during fiscal year 2017, state agencies:

• Conducted veteran-focused recruitment and retention activities.
  
• Provided reintegration education and guidance.
  
• Built partnerships with veteran organizations and advocates.
  
• Provided support to deployed military employees.
  
• Retained job classifications whose sole purpose is supporting veterans and in some cases must be filled by veterans.
  

The Department of Administration’s Office of Equity in Procurement was established to improve the state’s spending with targeted business to make Minnesota state government more accessible to all Minnesotans.

Using proven strategies the office along with the Governor’s diversity and inclusion initiative resulted in an increase in veteran owned business spending by 275 percent, from $1,824,015 to $6,839,966.

The Minnesota Department of Veteran Affairs provides services to ensure that Minnesota’s veterans, their dependents, and survivors receive the full measure of benefits and services to which they are entitled. In addition, the Minnesota Department of Military Affairs provides support to the Minnesota National Guard members.

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