CLRA President Joe McFayden was honoured to pay tribute to Helmets to Hardhats Canada today during the Veterans Ombud Commendation ceremony.
“Congratulations to Joe Maloney the executive director of Helmets to Hardhats and the entire team,” McFayden said, adding the organization makes a significant positive impact on the lives of thousands of veterans and their families by supporting their successful transition from the military to well-paying civilian careers in the construction industries.
Canada’s Veterans Ombud Commendation Award recognizes the exceptional dedication and selfless motivation of those who work tirelessly to support Veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and their families. Helmets to Hardhats received the 2022 award for National Organization or Group.
CLRA is a founding member of Helmets to Hardhats, a non-profit that finds good quality opportunities for serving, transitioning and former military members in the unionized construction industry. They work with the community of building trades unions and employers to ensure registrants receive only the best industry wages, benefits, and pension plans. They also offer employment counselling, resume counselling, and a referral network to support those who need help transitioning to civilian opportunities.
Because CLRA supports and invest in construction best practices, the team is perfectly positioned to work with Helmets to Hardhats. Additionally, this partnership benefits Alberta’s construction employers. Engaging in a military career is incredibly demanding — on the body, the mind, and the spirit. That’s why those with military experience are often a perfect fit for the challenging work tradespeople are tasked with, day in and day out. So, when we work with Helmets to Hardhats to create a bridge between the Forces and working in Alberta’s construction industry – both sides win.
Alberta’s unionized contractors, along with Ontario, are the largest recipients for veterans transitioning from the military to construction. Since the program started in 2012, they have placed over 2500 veterans into construction trade jobs.
Helmets to Hardhats and CLRA share a common vision for ensuring competitive wages and benefits for all union workers, providing continued improvements in worksite safety, and supporting Canada’s serving military and veterans by prioritizing their hiring within the trades. Recognizing the in-depth knowledge and skill sets veterans have, Helmets to Hardhats can match these veterans and Armed Forces reservists with excellent and appropriate opportunities in the skilled trades.
