Helmets to Hardhats – Value Added By A Veteran, 365 Days A Year

Helmets to Hardhats (H2H) is a national non-profit organization that supports the Canadian military community in finding meaningful second careers in the skilled trades. Helmets to Hardhats work with Veterans, reservists, cadets, military family members and Afghan interpreters. We believe that because of the dedicated service of our Veterans, it is now our responsibility to support them as they find well-paying second careers in the unionized construction industry. This is the mission that drives Helmets to Hardhats, as we think about Veterans every day, all year long.

Each year, approximately 8,000 Canadian Armed Force (CAF) members and reservists leave the military and face the daunting task of transitioning into civilian life. This can be a challenging experience: adjusting to a less regimented lifestyle, adapting to new cultural norms, and competing with other Canadians to find meaningful and well-paying employment.

To minimize the stress of our clients and simultaneously reduce skill shortages across Canada, Helmets to Hardhats works with Canada’s 14 international unions that represent 60+ different trades, construction employers and industry partners by referring Veterans to available opportunities in the trades and potential management opportunities with employers and industry partners.

Nova Scotia estimates that the province will need to hire thousands of tradespeople in the coming years to counteract the aging demographic and continue to match the growth of the economy. There are numerous opportunities in the skilled trades that need committed, hardworking, reliable, and effective workers. These qualities are some of the ways Unions and employers have described the Veterans that they have hired through H2H.

Joe Maloney, international founder of Helmets to Hardhats emphasizes, “the average age of military personnel that H2H refers to opportunities within the unionized construction industry are between the ages of 32-34”. These individuals have a long working career ahead of them. “The program has been very successful in meeting its objectives” stated Maloney. Helmets to Hardhats has supported more than 2,700 former military members in their journey to the unionized construction industry over the last ten years”.

At Helmets to Hardhats, we continue to hear anecdotes about the high-performance level of the Veterans we place within the trades. “Our employers continue to be impressed with their accountability, time management skills, work ethic and leadership,” says Maloney.

Helmets to Hardhats has Veterans that are ready, willing, and able to join your ranks, so please continue to consider our Canadian military members when you are doing apprenticeship intakes and direct hires with employers. Ask yourself, how can you support a Veteran for all the support they have given us?

Don’t forget, hire a vet!