Career Networking From Helmets To Hardhats
Exciting New Features on H2H
Thousands of veterans who want careers in the building and construction trades industry now have
a place on the Internet to network and find new careers. The construction trades-oriented veteran
career website www.HelmetstoHardhats.org has introduced a new career networking function that
enables transitioning active duty and National Guard and Reserve service members to connect with
other veterans to find construction careers around the nation.
"It's kind of like LinkedIn with a tool belt," said Helmets to Hardhats spokesman Tom Aiello.
"Helmets to Hardhats now gives veterans who want careers in construction the same kind of
connectivity that career networking sites like LinkedIn provides to white-collar workers. There's
no place like it on the web."
Helmets to Hardhats is a program established by The Center for Military Recruitment,
Assessment and Veterans' Employment, a non-profit joint labor-management committee funded by the
Department of Defense. It was established to connect former military personnel with career
opportunities in the building and construction trades.
"This year we've completely upgraded and redesigned the site to make it better and easier
for veterans and employers to find each other. In the last six months veteran, trade union and
employer participation are all up significantly," said Darrell Roberts, Executive Director of
Helmets to Hardhats.
"Nearly 20,000 veterans are registered on Helmets to Hardhats. These are top quality men and
women and employers know it," said Tom Aiello. "About 2,000 construction career recruiters use the
site each month to find and hire them."
U.S. Navy veteran Bryan Smith is one of thousands of veterans who have started new careers
through Helmets to Hardhats. "When I was looking for a job, I signed up at many job sites", Smith
said. "Most of them just used my email address as a way to send spam or sell me something. If it
weren't for the diligent efforts of Helmets to Hardhats, I probably would have forgotten about the
entire thing. I credit Helmets to Hardhats for helping me find a good career with a future!"
An unfortunate reality of war is service members often return home with debilitating
injuries. Helmets to Hardhats has built special career search functions to help disabled veterans
find jobs. The "Wounded Warrior" page provides advice and assistance and identifies specific jobs
for which employers encourage applications from veterans with disabilities.
"This is one of the most exciting new functions on Helmets to Hardhats," said Sean McGarvey,
Secretary-Treasurer of the Building and Construction Trades Department, AFL-CIO. "We believe this
country owes a debt of gratitude to all veterans, but especially our Wounded Warriors. Now Wounded
Warriors can find good jobs, with good benefits in places they know they are needed and wanted."
Another new function on the Helmets to Hardhats site is a discussion board where members can
exchange information, ask questions and get advice from other veterans.
"It's always good to hear the experiences of other veterans when you're engaged in a career
search," said Army Veteran Matt Mulqueen. "There is something about knowing you're not alone and
that other vets are willing to help that makes this easier. It's kind of like they still got your
back."
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts there will be a significant skilled labor shortage in
the years to come. Some estimates place labor shortages as high as 10 million workers by 2010.
These estimates along with the more than 250,000 veterans that transition out of the military makes
Helmets to Hardhats a critical link between veterans and the building and construction industry.
Another generation of young and dedicated American men and women has been placed in harm's
way to protect our way of life," said Mark Ayers, President, Building and Construction Trades
Department, AFL-CIO. "Because we ask a great sacrifice of these young men and women, our unions and
our industry is prepared to assist them when they need us the most. Providing them with stable and
secure career opportunities is the least we can do long after the guns fall silent and the memories
of this war have faded."
Helmets to Hardhats is a national, federally funded program designed to connect National
Guard, Reserve and transitioning active-duty military members with quality career opportunities
within the building and construction industry. The program is sponsored by America's 15 building
and construction trades unions and involves each of their apprenticeship and training programs
along with several national construction industry employer associations. Together Helmets to
Hardhats represents roughly 4 million construction workers and 82,000 contractors.
For more information on Helmets to Hardhats go to www.HelmetsToHardhats.org
For more information about this release contact Ted Wadsworth, Helmets to Hardhats Marketing
Coordinator, 703-582-7836 or ted.wadsworth@helmetstohardhats.org.
