Helmets to Hardhats Program Day
THEY DEFENDED AMERICA; NOW LET THEM HELP YOU BUILD IT
This afternoon, Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr., signed a declaration recognizing Helmets to Hardhats and declared March 30, 2009, as Helmets to Hardhats Program Day. Helmets to Hardhats is a nonprofit organization hosted by the Center for Military Recruitment, Assessment and Veterans’ Employment (CMRAVE), which connects veterans to promising careers in the construction industry. Utah is the 27th state to recognize the vital role of Helmets to Hardhats.
Among those accompanying Governor Huntsman today for the signing were Senator Gene Davis; Senator Karen Mayne; Terry Schow, Executive Director, Utah Department of Veterans Affairs; General Jeff Burton, Utah National Guard; Major General Peter Cook, U.S. Army Reserves; Steve Hadley, Veterans Outreach Program, Department of Workforce Services; Darrell Roberts, Executive Director, Helmets to Hardhats; Dale Cox, Operating Engineers Local No. 3; Rob Mason, Operative Plasterers’ and Cement Masons; Jim Judd, president, AFL-CIO; Darlene Goldman, Salt Lake Community College; Dale Brockbank, U.S. Department of Labor; Mark Biloz, Regional Director, Veterans Administration; and numerous others representing the construction industry and armed services.
Helmets to Hardhats provides training and support to veterans returning from military service to facilitate a smooth transition to civilian life. Veterans log in to http://helmetstohardhats.org, establish an account, and begin their search for a productive career. The Helmets to Hardhats staff of construction industry and military professionals help guide veterans through their career search, connecting them with apprenticeship programs and providing career advice. Many Utah veterans have received this training. Click here for Ami Joi O’Donoghue’s great article in the Deseret News relating Darrell Robert’s personal military experiences.
Information is also available on the site about the Wounded Warrior program, which supports disabled Veterans by providing the tools, information and community that will help Veterans gain careers in the Building and Construction Industry.
Here are some impressive Helmets to Hardhats statistics for 2008:
Unique Visitors – 320,259 unique visitors to the H2H website, an increase of 13% over 2007.
Registered Veterans – 21,694 veterans as candidates, an increase of 14% over 2007.
Veterans Hired – 1,714 veteran hires through H2H, a 10% increase over 2007; 79 of whom are Wounded Warriors.
Job Searches – 510,527 candidate career searches, a 24% increase over 2007.
Job Applications – 5,713 candidates applied for career positions, a 27% increase.
Utah Career Postings – 28
Registered Utah Veterans – 127 veterans, 13 of whom are Wounded Warriors
Utah Hires – 9
Darrell Roberts, Executive Director of Helmets to Hardhats, flanked by Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr., and Major General Peter Cook, U.S. Army Reserves
Governor Huntsman Reads the Declaration
Governor Huntsman Signs the Declaration
with Senators Davis and Mayne (on the right)
The Participants
Darlene Goldman, Darrell Roberts and Senator Mayne
Dale Cox, Senator Davis and Darrell Roberts
On April 1st, 2009 at 9:31 am
This event was both Historic & Awesome! To have our
Governor sign off on this Pro-Labor Initiative, and to
have National Representatives from Washington DC
to participate was truly Awesome & Historic!!
I was honored to be invited, and happy that our IBEW
Business Manager, Mr. Richard Kingery, who was just
elected to Vice President of the Utah Building Trades Council was able to attend this event as well. He provides
incredible leadership to both our Local Union and the
Utah Building Trades!