FAQ

Making a successful transition from the military into the civilian workforce can be difficult but Helmets to Hardhats is here to help you enter the civilian workforce quickly and efficiently. We are dedicated to helping military community members who are seeking a second career in the skilled trades connect with the right people and opportunities.

The program is funded through the generous support of Canada’s Building Trades Unions collective agreements and with the support of Federal and Provincial grants. The Executive Director and other employees of H2H are governed by a Board of Directors that consists of individuals that are selected to represent the Employers' Organizations and Owners, Labour Organizations, the Federal Government, and the military community.

If you were honourably discharged from the Canadian Forces, you are eligible to work with H2H. The program is not limited to any specific Military Occupation (MOC), service environment or rank.

Helmets to Hardhats is not considered a training program, we act as a referral agency. However, we offer pre-employment safety training in partnership with NORCAT. As a H2H client (based in Ontario) you are able to access free training before you enter the workforce. Reach out to an H2H advisor to learn more.

Yes, H2H will offer a variety of careers listed on its Website. Many employers list several types of construction-related career opportunities for H2H program users, including administrative, engineering and management positions. However, the majority of the opportunities lie within the Building and Construction trades.

An apprenticeship is a mixture of classroom instruction and on-the-job training under the supervision of a qualified individual, with the majority of the training being conducted on the job site. Given that education is under Provincial/Territorial authority, the training and certification process will vary across Canada. For an individual with no previous experience or qualifications, the apprenticeship could be from three to five years in duration. However, in many cases you will be given credit for your previous military and applicable civilian training/experience, thereby reducing the apprenticeship period accordingly. Such a determination will be made on a case-by-case basis between you and the Business Manager/Training Coordinator at the local union. In some cases the classroom training will be conducted through community colleges, whereas in other cases it will be conducted through union training centers, depending on the trade selected and the Province/Territory you chose to undertake your apprenticeship training. You will get paid apprentice-level wages for your work while you are on the job, which rise as your level of experience and training increases.

Going from a military helmet to a construction hardhat can be a great opportunity for a new civilian career. The building and construction industry offers an annual salary higher than the overall national average and more than 60 unique apprenticeship programs. Also, as a veteran of the Canadian Forces, if you start out in the construction industry as an apprentice, you can earn while you learn while on the job site, or be eligible for Employment Insurance while in the classroom, with the exception of the initial classroom period.

Employers that are members of the H2H-approved contracting associations will register and have access to advertise opportunities online. Employers that are not members must meet certain criteria before they can advertise opportunities on the H2H Website. These criteria include access to a quality and registered apprentice program, a permanent system to ensure employment and training opportunities, formal curriculum and instructor training programs, related training and an on-the-job training program, and a positive record of caring for the welfare of workers as evidenced by health and dental insurance, pension benefits and workers' compensation coverage. Employers who want to advertise construction-related employment opportunities must ensure that they provide wages and benefits in keeping with the high standards of the other member employers. If, at any time, H2H is notified that an employer is not advertising acceptable opportunities, the employer will be removed from the H2H system. Third party vendors cannot use the H2H website to advertise opportunities.

Interested companies are encouraged to register at https://app.helmetstohardhats.ca/en/register

Employers who qualify for the H2H program gain access to a pool of construction industry career seekers who are hardworking, safety-conscious, highly dependable and who possess both leadership qualities as well as a strong sense of teamwork. Also, the H2H Website will provide many great tools for employers to help them locate career seekers who have special skills. H2H candidates possess specialized training, hands-on experience and professional discipline that you simply cannot find in the regular workforce. All H2H career seekers are required to fill out detailed information before accessing the site, making it easy to eliminate inappropriate candidates based on career specifications and to locate candidates with desired skills. The Website also offers the means to easily communicate with qualified applicants.

Trade, location and experience will determine your salary. Visit https://constructiontradeshub.com to learn more about salaries in your region.

The pace of the hiring process is determined by the local economic situation, as well as the timing of upcoming apprenticeship courses. We do suggest that you follow-up with the local Business Manager after applying for an opportunity to ensure receipt and to get further instructions on how the application process will unfold, including any requirements for entrance exams and pre-apprenticeship training.

H2H is not a placement company. We refer candidates to local Business Managers/Training Coordinators, and refer local Business Managers/Training coordinators to promising candidates. H2H advisors will work with clients to find a trade that best suits their interests and skills sets. Prior to acceptance into the trades, candidates often are required to take an aptitude test to assess their skill level.