At Viracon, respect for the individual is a core value. As a company rooted in Minnesota with a global reach, Viracon actively fosters a culture where every employee can thrive, contribute, and feel welcomed, including New Americans who bring diverse experiences, perspectives, and talents.
This commitment starts at the top and is reflected throughout the organization. According to Brent Jewell, Viracon’s President:
“At Viracon, we believe our strength comes from our people. New Americans bring invaluable perspectives, skills, and experiences that help our company innovate and grow. Creating a welcoming environment where everyone is respected, supported, and able to succeed isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s essential to who we are as a company.”
Viracon’s success in attracting and retaining New American talent is driven by a combination of thoughtful strategies that create pathways for opportunity and long-term growth.
Inclusive Recruitment Outreach
Viracon actively connects with community organizations, cultural centers, and immigrant-serving partners to reach talented job seekers from diverse backgrounds. By going beyond traditional job boards and engaging trusted community networks, Viracon ensures New Americans know about opportunities and feel encouraged to apply.
Supportive Hiring Practices
To reduce barriers and build equity, Viracon uses hiring practices that focus on skills and potential. This includes offering language support when needed, structuring interviews to be fair and consistent, and ensuring candidates are respected throughout the process.
Structured Onboarding and Mentorship
Once hired, all employees are supported through intentional onboarding that introduces them to the workplace, expectations, and benefits in a thoughtful way. Pairing new hires with dedicated trainers helps them build confidence, find community at work, and access guidance from colleagues who care about their success.
Career Development and Retention
Viracon invests in employee growth by providing training, professional development opportunities, and pathways for advancement. This signals a commitment to long-term success, helping New Americans and all employees see a future at the company.
Peer Groups to Support Employee Success
Under the strategy of structured onboarding and mentorship, Viracon uses small, cohesive production teams as a powerful tactic.
Instead of only pairing new hires with a single mentor, the team approach brings small groups of employees together with experienced team members. These teams:
- Create Community: People build relationships with peers and leaders, reducing isolation and strengthening belonging.
- Provide Multiple Perspectives: New hires can learn from a range of experiences, not just one voice.
- Support Professional Growth: Leaders help with technical skills, workplace norms, and career planning.
At Viracon, welcoming New Americans isn’t just good business, it’s a reflection of the company’s commitment to equity, opportunity, and inclusive excellence. Through community-centered recruitment, supportive hiring practices, structured onboarding, and intentional growth opportunities, Viracon not only attracts talented individuals from around the world but also helps them build meaningful and lasting careers right here in Minnesota.
For more information on Viracon, LLC please visit our website at www.viracon.com.
Note: this article is part of a series of Employer Spotlight articles to be posted on CareerForce.MN.gov about employers who recognize the value of New Americans in their workforce.
