WASHINGTON - When veterans return to civilian life, chances are, they’re looking for a second career. And the Iron Workers believes that the men and women who serve should have access to stable work and well-paying jobs. That’s why the Iron Workers, the Ironworker Management Progressive Action Cooperative Trust (IMPACT) and Helmets to Hardhats are pleased to announce that all 21 Iron Worker locals in Canada are partnering with Helmets to Hardhats to ensure that veterans have access to rewarding jobs in the ironworking industry. Helmets to Hardhats is a Building Trades-funded non-profit organization dedicated to connecting veterans with rewarding careers in the construction industry.

“We offer them the opportunity of a rewarding new career, fair pay with benefits and security for their families,” said Walter Wise, Iron Workers General President. “The Iron Workers say ‘thank you’ with jobs.”

Darrell LaBoucan, the Iron Workers Executive Director of Canadian Affairs, said that the partnership is win-win. Because the Canadian construction industry is booming, many construction sites are seeking additional qualified workers. “Veterans already have a lot of the training and skills that we need—in other words, they’re already half-trained,” LaBoucan said. “Hiring veterans first just makes sense.”

Gregory Matte, Executive Director of Helmets to Hardhats Canada, released the following statement following the partnership announcement from Iron Workers and IMPACT:

“The Iron Workers have become an increasingly supportive advocate of the Helmets to Hardhats (H2H) Canada program through the participation of their numerous Canadian locals. Given that the majority of new apprenticeship and employment opportunities for our Canadian Forces vets come available at the regional and municipal levels, the registration of these locals will be key to the posting of such opportunities (on our H2H website) for our vets to review and select. Furthermore, the generous commitment by IMPACT to a recurring financial donation highlights the strength of their support and their interest in seeing the H2H program continue to grow.

“On behalf of the H2H Board of Directors, I thank the leadership and members of the Iron Workers, as well as IMPACT, for their outstanding commitment to supporting our vets through apprenticeship and employment opportunities in the Building and Construction industry of Canada. Well done!”

The Iron Workers and IMPACT have been staunch supporters of Helmets to Hardhats since its launch in 2003.

About the Iron Workers Union: The International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers (IABSO&RIW) was founded in 1896 in Pittsburgh, Pa. They now represent more than 125,000 Ironworkers throughout the United States and Canada. The IABSO&RIW’s mission is to improve the working conditions of its members while promoting constructive relationships with their employers to increase work opportunities.

About IMPACT: The Ironworker Management Progressive Action Cooperative Trust (IMPACT) is an independent labor-management partnership designed to create work opportunities in the North American ironworking industry.  Our primary mission is to provide a forum for Ironworkers and signatory contractors to discuss effective strategies to expand job opportunities through innovative labor-management cooperative programs.  IMPACT provides expertise in training, construction certifications, marketing, construction project tracking and bidding, insurance and Davis-Bacon compliance efforts.  IMPACT also administers a world-class substance abuse program to ensure that Ironworkers are safe, drug-free and ready to work.

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Contact: Brennan Gamwell, Communications Manager, (800) 545-4921