The Ontario government is allocating $3 million over three years to Helmets to Hardhats Canada to support 650 active and former Canadian Armed Forces members transitioning to careers in the construction sector.
This investment aims to address employment and training gaps while catering to the unique needs of military personnel re-entering civilian life. “We owe our veterans, who have put their lives on the line in defence of our freedom, safety and values, a debt that we can never fully repay,” said Premier Doug Ford. “Today’s announcement is just one way our government is working to give back, so veterans can transition from the armed forces to rewarding careers in the skilled trades with the support and training they need.”
Helmets to Hardhats Canada, a non-profit organization, provides second career opportunities in construction through tailored referral services, safety training and peer counselling. The funding will enable the organization to expand job-ready skills training and accelerate pathways from military service to construction apprenticeships by two to three months.
“With around 8,000 Canadian Armed Forces members released from service every year, our government is proud to work with Helmets to Hardhats and unions to deliver job-ready training to veterans that leverages their expertise and experience, and lands them in a new career,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “Because a career in construction is more than a paycheque—it offers a stable future and a community of workers who have your back.”
The investment will also support access to critical safety training and specialized certifications for in-demand careers, while expanding outreach programs for racialized and Indigenous veterans and those with disabilities.
James Hogarth, executive director of Helmets to Hardhats Canada, welcomed the support. “This investment ensures that our programs remain sustainable, empowering those who served our country to access employment and training resources that will lead them to in-demand careers as a skilled trade professional,” he said.
The province’s total investment in Helmets to Hardhats Canada now exceeds $4.7 million, including over $915,000 through Ontario’s Skills Development Fund Training Stream to open new pathways for 105 participants into unionized construction and develop customized training for senior cadets.
Since its launch in 2021, Ontario’s Skills Development Fund Training Stream has assisted more than 600,000 workers in training for sectors with high demand, including over 66,000 construction workers.
Helmets to Hardhats Canada has referred over 1,500 clients in Ontario to unionized construction careers. Interested individuals are encouraged to contact the organization directly.
This initiative aligns with the government’s proposed Honouring Veterans Act, 2024, which seeks to expand provincial recognition and increase supports for veterans and military families.
