Veteran Career Training, Placement Program Coming To Jersey City

JERSEY CITY, NJ — A new program designed to help women and minority veterans land construction jobs and launch successful careers is launching in Jersey City.

Mayor Steven Fulop is working alongside Commissioner William O'Dea, who is also the Elizabeth Development Company (EDC) Executive Director, to launch the initiative in Jersey City for Hudson County residents. The initiative will soon be reaching Bergen, Essex, and Union Counties.

The program is funded by an over $300,000 grant which was awarded to the EDC from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

Titled "Helmets to Hardhats" the program is designed to help National Guard Reserve, retired, and transitioning active-duty military members connect with career and training opportunities in the construction industry, and assist with job placement.

“We have been very successful in getting women and minorities into construction union apprenticeships and are excited with now having the resources provided by the state to recruit and train military veterans so they too can have a career as a laborer, carpenter, plumber, or truck driver,” said Commissioner O’Dea. “They gave for our country, and now we can give back to them.”

Commitments for service are being received through the Division of Veterans Affairs and the Hudson County/Jersey City Workforce Development Board.

“I’m one of the seven percent of Americans who are veterans,” said Mayor Fulop, “Jersey City is a diverse community and home to many veterans who proudly serve their country and return home to find themselves in need of work. This program provides that direct connection to meaningful employment, which can often be a major challenge for veterans reintegrating into civilian life.”

Several trades in the area showed support for the program, including LIUNA Local #3, OPCMIA Local #29, Teamsters Local 560, and Carpenters Local #253.

“This grant is vital to increase the participation of women and minority veterans in the building trades. I have been working with Mayor Fulop and Commissioner O’Dea for many years on achieving this goal. We recognize this Helmets to Hardhats program will provide the resources to reach and serve our veterans effectively and serve as a pathway for our vets to achieve a rewarding career with our affiliated trades. The Hudson County Building and Construction Trades Council is committed to ensuring the success of this program,” said Pat Kelleher, President of the Hudson County Building Trades.