Knowing that the nation’s veterans can serve as a good pool of potential construction craftworkers, but also understanding that making the connections with the nation’s veterans as they leave service can be difficult, AGC of America is encouraging members that have state- or federally-registered apprenticeship programs to connect with Helmets to Hardhats (H2H).
Helmets to Hardhats is a national, web-based program that connects National Guard, Reserve, and transitioning active-duty military members with quality career training and employment opportunities within the construction trades. The program, created a decade ago, is administered by the Center for Military Recruitment, Assessment, and Veterans Employment, a non-profit Section 501(c)(3) joint labor-management committee; however, it is not limited to union training programs and employers.
Employers are required to participate in “proven apprenticeship training programs that are registered and approved by applicable federal and state authorities.”
The Construction Industry Training Council (CITC) of Washington (of which AGC of Washington is a sponsor) which runs an open-shop registered apprenticeship program with more than 400 apprentices in several craft programs, is an approved H2H training program.
According to its website, “H2H encourages all responsible employers who have construction-related career opportunities to apply for acceptance into our program.” Employers must meet certain criteria, including: “access to a quality and federally-recognized registered apprentice program, a permanent system to ensure employment and training opportunities, formal curriculum and instructor training programs, related training and an on-the-job training program, an affirmative action program, and a positive record of caring for the welfare of workers as evidenced by health insurance, pension benefits and workers’ compensation coverage.”
AGC of America urges members with qualifying programs to reach out to their regional H2H representative to get approved by H2H to help bring veterans into the commercial construction industry. The regional representatives are:
- Dr. William E. Davis – Mid-Atlantic Regional Director;
- Bill Mulcrone – Mid-West Regional Director;
- Phillip Ganley – Southeastern Field Representative;
- Dan Lozano – Western Region Field Representative.
Contact information for regional representatives, as well as the executive staff can be found on the H2H website.