Ministers launch veteran careers site in Hamilton

A new website will help local veterans of the Canadian Forces get a head start on a new career in the construction industry.

Lisa Raitt, minister of Labour and Steven Blaney, minister of Veteran Affairs launched the Helmets to Hardhats Canada website at Hamilton's John Weir Foote Armory Friday.

Veterans and members of the Canadian Forces abroad can search job and apprenticeship opportunities online from the 260,000 construction firms across Canada.

"[The site] will help complete the transition to civilian life," said Joe Beattie, business manager at the Hamilton-Brantford Ontario Building and Construction Trades Council.

Beattie said former soldiers and members of the Canadian Forces return with skills the construction industry is looking for.

"These people are disciplined," he said. "They can read blueprints, they can sit behind panels, they're already at that stage."

The federal government committed up to $150,000 to the site in January, Raitt said. The remainder of the funding comes from other levels of government and the private sector. Veteran Affairs will maintain the site.

Greg Matte, executive director of Helmets for Hardhats Canada, said the program originated in the United States in 2003 and was developed by a Canadian.

Raitt said Hamilton is the ideal place to launch this site  - the construction industry here is booming.

"There's incredible support from those who want to make sure that on a grassroots level, this is going to work, " she said. "Hamilton is doing fantastic in construction this year. It's a city to watch for sure."

Mark Ellerker, representative of the local United Association for Plummers, Steamfitters and Welders, said there is talent in the local workforce here.

"I've recently just taken two in who were in service in Afghanistan," he said. "These people come with organizational abilities, they come with ability to follow direction and they come well skilled."

The Helmets to Hardhats Canada site should be fully operational by December, Matte said.

Veteran Affairs said about 30 per cent of veterans look to them for career transition aid.