2. News Room

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Canteen Recognized for Diverse and Inclusive Hiring Practices

APPLETON – Canteen District General Manager John Ranallo said his company works diligently to find jobs that are suited to the talents of the vocational rehabilitation consumers who work for his company, adding that "we find that they are some of the best employees that we have.”

“It is working out fantastic,” Ranallo said. "We’re just trying to figure out how we can utilize it even more.”

Because of its diverse and inclusive hiring practices that welcome individuals with disabilities into its workforce, Canteen was recognized as an Exemplary Employer by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DWD/DVR) at an event Nov. 6 at Canteen Vending Services in Appleton.

“Canteen is making a difference in the community and is serving as a great example of how local employers can meet their workforce needs,” DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek said. “They demonstrate that hiring people with disabilities is not only the right thing to do, but it's good for business, too

Gov. Tony Evers proclaimed October National Disability Employment Awareness Month in Wisconsin to highlight businesses that recruit and hire people with disabilities. Last year, more than 2,000 employers created more inclusive workplaces in Wisconsin. Canteen was one of 25 businesses recognized last month and this week for leading the way to building a more diverse workforce in the state.

Canteen’s catering services began its relationship with DVR nine years ago, and the relationship has been so successful that Canteen is exploring more ways it can participate in DVR programs.

All Wisconsin employers are encouraged to reach out to DVR and meet with a local Business Services Consultant who can connect them with a variety of free resources to help recruit and hire people with disabilities, build staff diversity, and retain well-trained employees.

DVR helped over 3,350 Wisconsin residents with disabilities find work over the past year. Individuals with a disability looking for ways to find a job, keep a job, or get a better job are encouraged to contact DVR at 800-262-0050, visit a local DVR office, or visit the DVR website.

New Job Accommodations Training

To help provide employers with educational resources to diversify their workplace and create work environments that help retain employees, and to give employees information about their rights and responsibilities in the workforce, the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) has created new online accommodation trainings for employers, workers, and job seekers.

The Accommodation Training Library consists of brief, informational videos that cover topics, including hiring people with disabilities, the reasonable accommodation process, disclosing a disability, disability discrimination, and other topics related to employment law. The new accommodation training videos can be found on the DWD Career Pathways website.

The videos were created as part of a U.S. Department of Education Career Pathways Advancement (CPA) Initiative grant awarded to DVR in 2021. The CPA Initiative is allowing DVR to create resources and opportunities to support DVR consumers as they advance in their careers.

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ABOUT DWD

Wisconsin's Department of Workforce Development efficiently delivers effective and inclusive services to meet Wisconsin's diverse workforce needs now and for the future. The department advocates for and invests in the protection and economic advancement of all Wisconsin workers, employers, and job seekers through six divisions – Employment and Training, Vocational Rehabilitation, Unemployment Insurance, Equal Rights, Worker's Compensation, and Administrative Services. To keep up with DWD announcements and information, sign up for news releases and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.