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The National Chamber Foundation recently presented Union Pacific Railroad its “Hiring Our Heroes Award” for post-9/11 veteran employment and internships. The Class I was the only railroad that won a “Hiring Our Heroes” award from the foundation, a nonprofit “think tank” arm of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

The awards recognize businesses’ efforts to recruit and hire military personnel. Awards were presented in five categories: veteran and military spouse employment; small business veteran and military spouse; wounded warrior employment transition assistance; women veteran and military spouse employment; and post-9/11 veteran employment and internships.

UP offers various job opportunities that are tailored for recruits with military backgrounds, including train dispatchers, train crews, diesel mechanics, diesel electricians, assistant signal workers and track laborers, foundation officials said in a prepared statement. The Class I offers leadership opportunities through an Operations Management Training Program.

In addition, UP employs a “military-specific recruiting plan” that involves military transition offices, military education offices, reserve units, military panels, National Guard units, career fairs, information sessions, employer panels, résumé review assistance, and service on local military committees and boards, foundation officials said. Plus, the railroad maintains an active military-support initiative for deployed or returning-to-work employees.

More than 7,000 UP employees hired since 9/11 have military experience, and overall, about 20 percent of the Class I’s 45,000 employees are veterans.

“Union Pacific has a solid track record of hiring veterans,” said UP Senior Vice President of Human Resources Barb Schaefer, adding that 25 percent of new hires during the past four years have military experience.