Wrapping up the National Apprenticeship Week coverage on America’s Work Force Union Podcast, Martin Helms, Executive Director of the Helmets to Hardhats program shared the impact of the program, which has successfully connected more than 50,000 military personnel with a rewarding career in the building trades since its inception in 2003.
Helms, who took the reins of Helmets to Hardhats three years ago, has been on a mission to enhance the program's reach and effectiveness. Being a veteran and a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 306 in Akron, Ohio, Helms understands the challenges veterans face when transitioning to civilian life. He has spearheaded initiatives to update the program’s website, implement a customer relationship management system and expand its job board. Helms discussed how the job board connects veterans with apprenticeship opportunities nationwide. This strategic overhaul aims to streamline access to information and opportunities, making it easier for veterans to find a pathway into the trades.
A significant focus for Helmets to Hardhats has been fostering relationships with military organizations and the National Guard, which comprises about 40 percent of the U.S. military’s fighting force. By strengthening ties with entities like Soldier for Life and Hiring Our Heroes, Helmets to Hardhats ensures that service members know the opportunities available to them in the trades. Helms emphasized the importance of Local Unions understanding the military mindset and the transition process, enabling them to better support veterans entering the workforce.
Helms advocated for the registered apprenticeship model as a viable and debt-free pathway to the middle class. He highlighted the benefits of earning while learning, with apprentices receiving wages, benefits and retirement plans from day one. By choosing a career in the trades, individuals can achieve financial stability and personal satisfaction without the burden of student loans, Helms said. Helmets to Hardhats continues to pave the way for veterans to build fulfilling civilian careers and contribute to their communities.
Listen to the full episode to learn more about Helms and the impact of Helmets to Hardhats.