Show Notes
In this episode, Kirk Westwood talks to Martin “Marty” Helms, Executive Director of the Helmets to Hardhats program. Kirk and Marty discuss the striking similarities of structure and responsibility within the military and construction industries, and how those similarities make construction an excellent civilian career for many ex-military personnel.
Martin Helms' Union career began as an IBEW apprentice and developed into being a Journeyman, Foreman, and then the Training Director for his local apprenticeship program. With over twenty-two years of ongoing service in the Army National Guard, years of joint labor-management apprenticeship experience, and an Associate Degree in Electrical Maintenance Technology from Stark State College, Marty brings strong training, management, military, and recruitment experience that the organized trades need for veteran recruitment. He has personally experienced the struggles of transitioning from military to civilian employment, which makes him uniquely empathetic to other service members.
The Construction User 2.0 podcast is brought to you by The Association of Union Constructors (TAUC). Your host, Kirk Westwood, is the Director of Marketing for TAUC. Kirk has helped many organizations tell their stories as a photographer, blogger, web-streamer, and consultant. In each episode, we’ll explore the latest labor trends, industry insights, and important issues in the world of construction. Our guests are industry leaders, subject matter experts, and innovative visionaries discussing how we are building the ‘world of tomorrow.’ TAUC is made up of more than 1,800 contractor companies that utilize union labor for their projects, as well as local contractor associations and vendors in the industrial maintenance and construction fields. TAUC’s mission is to act as an advocate for union contractors and enhance cooperation between all parties to achieve the successful completion of construction projects.
Discussion points:
- What Helmets to Hardhats is all about
- Job board and opportunities for military members to get into construction industry apprenticeships
- The path to apprenticeships for different levels of experience
- Success stories - “Known Successful Transitions” or KST’s
- Structural, operational, leadership, and pay similarities between military and construction
- How can we help more military transition to civilian work?
- Vets can do amazing things for the trades- use HtoH as a pipeline for talent
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