Stacey Noronha | November 11th, 2024
On Remembrance Day, we pause to honour the courage and resilience of those who have served and continue to serve Canada with courage, dedication and resilience. Beyond reflecting on their past sacrifices, it’s also a moment to look toward the future—one that Helmets to Hardhats (H2H) is helping shape every day. H2H bridges Canada’s military community to careers in the construction trades. From Veterans and reservists to military family members and Afghan interpreters, H2H is dedicated to helping these individuals transition into stable, fulfilling careers in unionized construction. With the support of Canada’s 14 Building Trade Unions, H2H offers access to 61 occupations and helps Veterans find meaningful work and reliable career paths.
“Honouring their service goes beyond remembrance—it’s about creating real opportunities for Veterans to thrive.”
Veterans come from all walks of life. Whether they’re fresh out of service or returning after years of experience, H2H ensures that they are met with the respect, training, and guidance they deserve as they enter civilian life. For some of these men and women, the shift from military to civilian work can be challenging, but H2H offers a hand through every stage, from training to job placement.
H2H also actively works to reach people who may not always be represented in skilled trades, such as Indigenous Veterans, women, and racialized groups. Diversity strengthens our communities and industries and H2H helps ensure that everyone has a chance to find belonging and purpose in the trades, creating a workforce that truly reflects Canada’s diversity.
“Our Veterans served us with dedication; now it’s our turn to help them build a future.”
At Build a Dream, we know that transitioning into a new career is a journey that requires both opportunity and support. We are proud to support and partner with organizations like H2H to help individuals access fulfilling careers in the skilled trades. Through hands-on training, mentorship programs, and career exploration events, we ensure that all our program participants feel prepared, connected, and ready to thrive in their new careers. Our shared commitment to supporting Veterans, Indigenous communities, women, and racialized groups means we’re creating real pathways for all to succeed in these crucial industries.
The Ontario government recently invested $3 million in H2H to enable them to expand their programs and provide job-ready training for up to 650 Veterans and service members. With this funding, Helmets to Hardhats will be able to help more Veterans enter the workforce and thrive in careers where their leadership and discipline are invaluable.
“Together, we’re helping Veterans find purpose and community in their new careers—because they deserve nothing less.”
On this Remembrance Day, as we wear our poppies and observe moments of silence, let’s take action to support Veterans on their next steps forward. With initiatives like Helmets to Hardhats, we’re giving back to those who have given so much and ensuring that they’re supported every step of the way.
