For many United States veterans, transitioning to the civilian workforce is no easy feat. It’s a daunting task that requires battling a new and unique set of challenges, making it easy to quickly become overwhelmed or discouraged. But New York’s Helmets to Hardhats program is here to help.
“There are a lot of nonprofit organizations out there that claim to help veterans,” says Anne Trenkle, Executive Director of Helmets to Hardhats New York, “and a lot of people who want to take advantage of them. We respect [veterans], we respect what they do, and we value what they bring to the table. We only want what’s best for them. I like to think that that’s the biggest difference between us and a lot of other veteran programs.”
But don’t just take her word for it. Since the inception of Helmets to Hardhats New York in 2013, the program has assisted over 3,200 veterans in getting apprenticeships with skilled trade unions. The organization works with all branches of the military, as well as the active reserves and National Guard, and connects them with trades from carpentry and masonry to specialized equipment operations. Honorable discharge is the one upfront requirement that vets need to meet in order to register for the program.
How to Register
The registration process itself is digitally based. Veterans apply through the national Helmets to Hardhats website, and anyone with a New York address who registers is then pulled into the New York chapter’s system. Within 24 hours of registering, applicants can expect to receive a welcome email from New York Helmets to Hardhats filled with the information and resources needed to move forward.
“We send that first email, but then we follow up with phone calls. We make sure to do the outreach because, for most veterans, to actually get on the phone and have a live conversation with someone really makes a difference,” says Trenkle. “After that initial outreach, we ask them to come back to us with at least the top three trades they’re most interested in, and then we discuss timing, requirements, etc.”
She explains that one of the biggest misconceptions veterans have about the program is that they will start off as general laborers and become more specialized over time.
“We get a lot of people who come in and say that they’re up for whatever. I think there’s just not a deep understanding of the individual trades.” In reality, each trade is highly specialized and focused on a specific craft. “The analogy I make to veterans is that when you go into the military, you have a specific MOS (Military Occupational Specialty). You’re going to do your job. If you’re artillery, you’re not going to be in the kitchen preparing meals. The same thing applies here. The electrician isn’t going to do the plumbing work, the plumber’s not going to do the electrical work, and so on.”
What to Expect
Because every trade union is different, a big part of Trenkle and her team members’ jobs is setting the right expectations. Some unions will require an aptitude test, while others may require a physical exam or series of interviews. “The one thing we absolutely don’t want to do is ever set any veteran up for failure,” Trenkle says. “We’re a pipeline from the military community to the union trades. So we want to make sure the best candidates show up for the job, and that they’re well versed in what they’re actually interviewing for and what that trade does specifically.”
Jeff Loughlin, the business manager at the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 137, agrees. “I don’t want anyone who comes in through the program to be under the wrong impression,” he says. “For equipment operators, it does take some time before you’re able to go out and perform the job.” He uses crane operating as an example, explaining that in New York State, you must be at least 18 years old and have three years of practical experience in the operation and maintenance of a crane. “This better serves the industry, because it’s safer, but it means there’s a bigger barrier to entry for people coming in. Contractors want to make money, and they don’t always have the patience to train somebody.”
The IUOE Local 137 offers free training to help its members gain some of that much-needed experience and practice without the risk of injury. “When people serve our country, I want to serve them,” says Loughlin. “In our facility, we’ve got multiple simulator units that replicate what it’s like out in the field.” This includes everything from evaluating external factors like wind conditions to skills like decision-making and advanced operating techniques.
Not all trades require the same rigor or amount of prior experience, though. Some specialties, like laborers, can offer vets the ability to go right from service to a job with as little as a month’s worth of training. Vets can also apply any relevant experience they may have had while in the military, which may allow them to expedite their entry into the workforce after being evaluated for their chosen trade.
Once veterans secure an apprenticeship, the benefits that come with it extend far beyond a paycheck. “For them, a union fellowship is like a trifecta,” explains Trenkle. “They’re getting paid for every hour that they work. They’re learning on the job, but they’re also getting classroom training, which they don’t have to pay for because it’s covered by the union. And lastly, they can collect their GI Benefits while they’re in the program.” This means that as a registered apprentice, a veteran can collect GI housing allowance the same as they would if they were in college, “which makes the difference between making an independent living wage in New York and sleeping on mom’s couch or in your truck.”
Making an Impact
New York Helmets to Hardhats celebrated its 20th anniversary last year and, as part of the event, it created a video featuring program graduates from different trades and military branches. Hearing their testimonials, it’s clear just how much of an impact the program has had on their lives. “They’re getting these jobs, they’re getting married, buying a house, taking vacations, they’re getting benefits for themselves and their families, they’re saving for retirement,” Trenkle says. “It’s completely life-changing for them.”
The state’s Helmets to Hardhats program also works with other organizations to help provide vets who may be struggling with the resources they need to get back on their feet. Additionally, most New York trade unions have internal veteran groups, providing them with much-needed local support.
“When they go into a trade, they leave one brotherhood (or sisterhood) and join another,” Trenkle says. “The sheer number of vets and the network they create for each other – the mentorship is there, the support is there. They belong to another family now.”
Related: What to Know About Joining a Union in Westchester County
