Veterans are some of the most dedicated, disciplined, hardworking members of our society. Yet, many veterans struggle when it comes to assimilating to civilian life. One of their greatest worries is being able to find a well-paying, stable career where their unique and valuable experience, skills, and talents can not only be used, but honored and celebrated.
It’s no wonder so many veterans have found great success when transitioning to a career in the building trades. The skills that military service members and veterans are known and revered for, such as their problem-solving ability, strong work ethic, leadership, self-confidence, and handiness, are the same skills and attributes that make a truly great tradesperson. It’s a natural match. Also, the trades offer great pay, work-life balance, job security and stability, and have some of the highest satisfaction rates.
What’s more, the building trades also have a reverence for veterans that few other industries have. For decades, the building trades have been committed to providing quality career opportunities for veterans and helping them successfully transition back into civilian life. There are many initiatives across and between trade groups that help to ease the transition by providing ways for active military to get started in their new career, even before they’ve officially left the military. Examples of popular programs include:
- The Veteran’s Electrical Entry Program (VEEP), by the electrical training ALLIANCE. This program offers transitioning service members and recently separated veterans the ability to reenter the civilian workforce in a high demand field that offers excellent earning potential -- electrical work. To ease the transition, this program is provided at no cost to the participant and can be done while transitioning out of the military.
- Helmets to Hardhats (H2H), which helps veterans successfully transition back into civilian life by offering them the means to secure a quality career in the construction industry. Helmets to Hardhats, at no cost to the veteran, connects them with federally approved apprenticeship training programs.
Not only do opportunities abound for veterans in the building trades, but they are welcomed, respected, and supported here. This is why so many veterans have found fulfillment, purpose, and success when they transition back into civilian life with the trades.
If you are or know a veteran or a military service member in transition, we encourage you to explore a career in the building trades. We can’t wait to see all that you’ll do and accomplish in this new chapter.
To all of our Veterans, thank you. We honor you. We salute you. We look forward to working beside you.
