Texas Veteran Job Placement Doubles in ’08
New Nuclear Projects Bring Jobs
More than 50 military veterans in the state of Texas secured lucrative construction industry
careers in 2008 thanks to the Helmets to Hardhats program.
The 2008 placement figure represents a 100 percent increase over last year's tally and is a
promising indicator of growing support among local construction industry employers and
transitioning military veterans for the nonprofit program.
Construction opportunities, including new nuclear energy projects, exist in several major
metropolitan areas, including Dallas/Ft.Worth, Austin, San Antonio, Houston, El Paso, and the
coastal bend. These projects represent a large pool of great-paying construction industry careers
for military jobseekers interested in the building trades.
Interested employers in every state are encouraged to actively participate in the Helmets to
Hardhats program to gain qualified employees who possess military skills, values and discipline.
During last week's special session of the Texas Workforce Commission Conference, Labor
Commissioner, Ronald Congleton, (who started as a Teamster in Local 745 in Dallas and served in the
Navy during Vietnam) introduced Dylan Tete, Helmets to Hardhats South Central Regional Director to
the conference attendees. Dylan Tete spoke about the mechanics of the Helmets to Hardhats program,
as well as its relevancy in Texas during the rough economy.
"More companies, especially industrial refineries in the coastal bend, are getting involved
with education and training for the next generation of skilled labor. The building trades in Texas
stand strong and are poised to commit its labor and training resources to construction projects
that may receive attention in the President-Elect's economic stimulus package," Mr. Tete said.
This year's conference, "Texas Workforce Solutions - Together, We Make Texas Work," attracted
employers, federal, state, and local government officials, local workforce board members, and
workforce center staff, members of the economic development community, chambers of commerce and
workforce professionals from across the nation, Canada, Germany, and Puerto Rico. This year's
turnout was approximately 1,800 participants.
To enhance your workforce with military skills, values and discipline, please log on to the
Helmets to Hardhats website at www.helmetstohardhats.org.
