January 11, 2012

Prime minister launches Helmets to Hardhats program

RICHARD GILBERT

staff writer

Canada's Building Trades Unions and a large industrial construction client applaud the federal government's financial support for the Helmets to Hardhats program, which connects veterans with training and employment opportunities in the construction industry.

“We are very happy there is a political recognition of the value of skilled building trades and the linkage of these skills with military people,” said Christopher Smillie, spokesperson for the Canadian arm of the Building and Construction Trades Department of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations.

“The Government of Canada announced on Jan. 6 that it is contributing $150,000 through Veteran Affairs Canada’s Community Engagement Partnership Fund to support the Helmets to Hardhats program.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper made the announcement in Edmonton, flanked by soldiers and welders.

“If you can drive a tank, why not drive a bulldozer?” Harper asked the crowd gathered at a metal shop in the west end of the city. “Forklifts work the same everywhere and so do backhoes.”

The program helps veterans, Canadian Armed Forces members and reservists with the transition from military to civilian life, by providing access to careers in construction industry, including administrative, engineering, human resources and apprenticeships in the building trades.

The program focuses on three principal areas: job-search training, individual career counseling and job-finding assistance.

“We are satisfied that the federal government has some skin in the game and are interested in participating in the program,” said Smillie.

“Now we know the dollar value they are willing to commit.”

The program was announced in the last federal budget, but there was no mention of the amount the feds were committing.

The government’s contribution to the program will assist with start-up costs, including website development and promotional materials. The program is set to start in Canada in the spring of 2012. The rehabilitation program provides a range of services to armed forces members and veterans, who have service-related rehabilitation needs.

The program is modeled after the Helmets to Hardhats program in the United States, which was established in 2003.

TransCanada, which is the only private sector partner in the program, is committing $1 million over the next five years.

“Our partnership with Helmets to Hardhats is a logical extension of our relationship with Canada’s Building Trades Unions to build our country and its infrastructure,” said Russ Girling, TransCanada’s president and chief executive officer. “TransCanada is currently completing the remaining half of a $22 billion capital program and with that comes a need for a trained, specialized and competent workforce. The opportunities offered through this initiative will assist veterans in their return to civilian life, while bringing skilled and dedicated employees into our workforce.”

The Canadian Forces transitions about 5,200 members to civilian life every year, which means the program is one of many solutions that are needed help fill the shortage of skilled labour in the construction industry.

Other private sector partners are also being sought to participate.

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