Helmets to Hardhats joins military experience and civilian potential.

By Joseph Maloney

Every year, on Nov. 11, we remember those who have bravely served Canada in our armed forces.

But what are we doing for Canada’s newest veterans, who, after a career serving our country, are faced with an often-difficult transition to civilian life?

Canada's construction unions, with our partners in industry, have found our own answer in Helmets to Hardhats, a foundation that matches Canadian veterans and serving reservists to skilled jobs and training in the civilian workforce.

The construction industry is a driving force in our country's economy. Helmets to Hardhats works by matching veterans’ skills to labour demand across Canada.

Our goal is to help veterans make the transition to skilled tradespeople. Since we began, we have grown to include 16 trade union and industry partners, and over 60 individual occupations. More than 3,000 Canadian Forces veterans have signed up for our program.

The face of the Canadian veteran is changing. There are more than 700,000 veterans in Canada today, men and women in communities large and small. Our veterans are increasingly younger, having served in the prime of their lives, and many have decades remaining in their careers. In fact, the average member of the Canadian Forces returns to civilian life at 36 years of age. Their priorities are not pensions and long-term care facilities, but jobs and training.

These veterans have much to offer. All transitioning veterans have skills that can be adapted to industry, whether in the skilled trades or in the vital traits coveted by employers, including resilience, dedication, leadership, and teamwork.

But they face the same hurdles as any job-seeker, along with a unique set of challenges. Often, one of their toughest obstacles is finding a job after retiring from the Forces. Navigating the civilian job market for the first time can be a daunting task.

At Helmets to Hardhats, we believe military training can translate into rewarding civilian careers, with a little help. We help veterans take their skills from the combat zone to the construction site. Our applicants are either matched to open positions immediately, or enrolled in apprenticeship and training programs to hone the skills they’ve gained while serving.

Employers are continually impressed with the professionalism and calibre of our veteran applicants. We are proud of the collaborative effort between private sector business, labour, and government. But we are most proud of our veterans, who continue to contribute so much to our communities. We always welcome new partners, donors, and applicants to our program.

Let's remember and honour our veterans not just on Remembrance Day, but every day.

Joseph Maloney is International Vice-President, Canada of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers. For more information on Helmets to Hardhats, please visit their website at www.helmetstohardhats.ca.