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Unions, employers and carpenters say apprenticeship programs can fast-track veterans into skilled jobs
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Summary
Union and industry witnesses told the Veterans and Military Affairs forum that programs such as Helmets to Hard Hats and the UBC MVP can place veterans directly into mid-level apprenticeship slots, but stressed the need for better discharge-level outreach and employer ties to guarantee hires.
HARTFORD — Union and industry witnesses at the Troops to Trades forum described existing apprenticeship pathways that can quickly place returning service members into skilled jobs, but they said those programs are underused because veterans and active guardsmen are not consistently reached during transition.
Joe Toner, representing the unionized construction industry, told the committee that Helmets to Hard Hats — a national direct-entry program in place since 2002 — allows returning veterans to enter joint apprenticeship training committees and earn licenses through union training. “Helmets of Hard Hats, which gives direct entry for any returning veteran into any of our apprenticeship programs,” Toner said, and he asked the committee to help strengthen communication during the discharge process so veterans learn about the option.
Miguel Fuentes of the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters described the UBC military veterans program, which works on military installations and fast-tracks training so participants can enter an apprenticeship at an intermediate level. He said the model turns months of apprenticeship into what would otherwise take years: “We fast track the training. So in 12 to 8 weeks, they’ll get what they would have gotten in 2 years of apprenticeship,” Fuentes said, and then employers hire graduates at a higher starting point.
Witnesses agreed that state policy can help by directing outreach to leaving service members, by tying training to specific projects and employers, and by supporting language translation of MOS/AFC credentials into state licensing. Don Schubert (Connecticut Construction Industries Association) described a veterans career fair that drew many employers and programs but did not reach many veterans; he recommended taking events directly to National Guard and reserve units to improve access.
Committee members asked about licensing differences across states, national partnerships such as SkillBridge, and how apprenticeship committees assess military experience. Toner and Fuentes said local JETCs and unions evaluate applicants’ military experience case-by-case and that employers value the accelerated, job-ready candidates.
The forum produced no formal votes. Several witnesses offered to meet with staff to develop outreach materials, state landing pages, and project-linked hiring incentives.
