Ottawa – Remembrance Day is a time for Canadians to remember and honour the veterans who fought for the freedoms Canada has today. It’s a day when veterans are at the forefront of the conversation. But it shouldn’t be the only day that they are.
Today, the average age of a veteran in Canada is just 32 years old. Many veterans leave service looking to use their skills and experience in civilian jobs that will allow them to support themselves and their families. Helmets to Hardhats Canada is a non-profit organization that aims to support veterans by connecting them with a rewarding second career in the skilled construction trades. They do so by working with Canada’s Building Trades Unions and employers to ensure that veterans in their program receive good industry wages, benefits, and pension.
“Today and every day, Canada’s Building Trades Unions are proud to support Helmets to Hardhats. Many veterans have developed their skills while working in demanding conditions, and they are well-suited for the teamwork and leadership opportunities that are available in the construction industry”
– Sean Strickland, Executive Director of Canada’s Building Trades Unions.
“Every year, 8,000 Canadian Armed Forces members leave the military and face the often-daunting task of transitioning into civilian life. One way we can support Veterans during this transitional period is by providing them meaningful civilian employment opportunities within the skilled trades. Because of the dedicated service and sacrifices made by our Veterans, it is now our responsibility to support them in their second careers”
– James Hogarth, Executive Director of Helmets to Hardhats
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Media Contact
Amy Burlock, Digital Communications Specialist, aburlock@buildingtrades.ca
About CBTU
Canada’s Building Trades Unions are an alliance of 14 international unions in the construction, maintenance and fabrication industries that collectively represent over 600,000 skilled trades workers in Canada. Each year, our unions and our signatory contractor partners invest over $300 million in private sector money to fund and operate over 175 apprenticeship training and education facilities across Canada that produce the safest, most highly trained and productive skilled craft workers found anywhere in the world. Canada’s Building Trades Unions represent members who work in more than 60 different trades and occupations and generate six per cent of Canada’s GDP. For more information, go to www.buildingtrades.ca.
