Connecting Veterans With Good Jobs
Helping veterans return to civilian life by matching them with employers in the construction sector
We know many veterans are struggling as they leave active service and transition back into civilian life. Now is the time to help them train for new well-paying and rewarding second careers and give them a chance to contribute to Ontario’s economic recovery.
To that end, in partnership with the Pathways to Post-Military Employment program, our PC government is helping military veterans and reservists return to civilian life. Today we announced that we are investing $511,100 in the program to help connect Veterans to well-paying, in-demand jobs in the construction industry. Our support of more than half a million dollars for Helmets to Hardhats will help homeless veterans get back on their feet and prepare them for in-demand and rewarding careers.
“For the many sacrifices men and women in the military make to keep Canadians safe, we owe a debt of gratitude,” said Monte McNaughton, MPP for Lambton—Kent—Middlesex and Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development. “This program, which pairs former military personnel looking for work with jobs in a sector seeking new talent, is not only great news for our veterans, it’s great news for their families and our recovering economy. Today’s investment is another step in Ontario’s plan to expand pathways for job seekers to enter these in-demand, hands-on careers.”
While Helmets to Hardhats traditionally funds veterans’ training for apprenticeship and skilled trades careers, this project will help connect veterans to good-paying jobs in various sectors that can leverage their unique skills and experiences including the skilled trades, management, administration, planning, scheduling, logistics, security, engineering, and accounting.
By connecting workers with the training they need to find new jobs, we can also ensure the industries that are still facing a skilled trades shortage can find the skilled workers they need to grow, and start building the foundation for Ontario’s long-term economic recovery.
The 2020 Ontario Budget, Ontario’s Action Plan: Protect, Support, Recover invests an additional $181 million in employment services and training programs to connect workers in the industries most affected with industries facing a skills shortage.