On Monday,  the Senate passed a bill authored by Sen. Mike Goggin (R-Red Wing) in the Jobs Omnibus budget bill to help Minnesota Veterans transition into a new civilian career in the skilled trades. This provision provides a $300,000 grant in each of the next two years to the “Helmets to Hard Hats” program.

“All too often, veterans return from active duty and encounter hurdles starting a new career,” said Sen. Goggin. “Helmets to Hardhats bridges the gap assisting veterans in their search for a new occupation so they can build a family, contribute to their community, and pursue their dreams. As they assimilate back into civilian life, they find support from the camaraderie at the work sites and are reminded of their time in the service. They are a valuable part of our workforce and it is a win-win-win situation – veterans win, businesses win, and the state of Minnesota wins.”

“Helmets to Hard Hats” is a national nonprofit that helps military service members transition into civilian life by connecting them with opportunities in the construction industry. They leverage relationships with veterans organizations, divisions of the military, and trade unions to connect veterans to opportunities regardless of age, race, gender, disability, or skill level. Many of these opportunities are with federally-approved apprenticeship programs that provide no-cost training and require no experience.

The program has been an incredible success to date. Helmets to Hardhats helped 70 veterans in 2017, the first year of the program. In 2018, Helmets to Hardhats helped more than 350 veterans, and about 20 new veterans enter the program every month.

Senator Goggin carried Helmets to Hardhats legislation in 2017, which delivered $200,000 in both 2017 and 2018 to the program.