Helmets to Hardhats is an organization that helps Heroes transitioning out of the military into civilian careers by helping to connect them with employment in the building and construction fields. Career opportunities range from manual positions like
carpenters, electricians, and plumbers to non-manual positions such as project managers, civil engineers and administrators.

At their website, prospective members fill out profile information, which will assist in locating opportunities for them. All fifteen Building and Construction Trades organizations are participating - Helmets to Hardhats represents a connection to more than 80,000 employers!

The U.S. Army administers the funding for the organization, and it's a not-for-profit trust. It's a building trades initiative administered by the Center for Military Recruitment, Assessment, and Veterans Employment.

Below is a recent press release:

HELMETS TO HARDHATS UPDATE
June 1, 2005

Helmets to Hardhats Begins Third Year with Great Success

It seems like everywhere we look, tributes are being made to the men and women who have served our country. We saw it at the super bowl, we see it in the daily news and we see it on the wrists of people that pass us by on the street. Thousands of our troops are still fighting in Iraq and others have returned home to take the next step in their civilian lives and careers.

Helmets to Hardhats is a national program that was started in 2002 that connects National Guard, Reserve and transitioning active-duty military members with quality career training and employment opportunities within the construction industry. The program is administered by the Center for Military Recruitment, Assessment, and Veterans Employment and headquartered in Carlsbad, Calif. Direction for management of the center comes from a board of trustees comprised of equal numbers of employer and labor trustees.

The program has experienced tremendous success in a short amount of time as evidenced in our metrics, success stories and positive public relations. Through the proactive support and registrations of the building and construction trade unions, quality employers and JATCs, we now have over 45,000 careers listed on our website and have referred 21,161 candidates into careers.

Everyday calls, letters and emails pour into the Helmets to Hardhats headquarters from candidates that have been placed in a career through the program with their thanks and appreciation for what has been done for them. There is unbelievable emotion in the things that they tell us.

Here is what one candidate had to say.

“My name is Kurt Stumpf and I wanted to thank you for this wonderful program for veterans. I am a bricklayer from Indianapolis, local 4 and I have been deployed recently to fight in the war. I have been able to utilize the training that I received in the union. My primary job here is masonry and I have been able to help train and work next to the local people here. The members in my unit respect the knowledge I have learned in the union and have shown a desire to join a union when they return home. I am so proud of you guys for giving my brothers in uniform a chance to better their lives. I've shed a tear for that and thank you for this grand opportunity you have given to all veterans. I've never felt more proud about being a union worker than I do now.”

You can also read about them at Soldiers Online, and we're happy to list them in the links at right.

Go and check out their site at: http://www.helmetstohardhats.org