Mathieu Eugene, Christine Quinn Expand NYC Helmets to Hardhats Program

Veterans Committee Chair Mathieu Eugene and Council Speaker Christine Quinn plan to expand the Helmets to Hardhats program in New York City, according to a statement released by Quinn. 

The expansion will allow Helmets to Hardhats, which places returning veterans in union jobs with the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York, to hire additional staff and implement new outreach efforts, improve services and increase the total number of veterans served, the release continued. 

"Finding a job is one of the biggest challenges that veterans face after returning home," said Eugene, D-Ditmas Park, "We should do everything possible to give back to veterans for all of their sacrifices and efforts to protect our country." 

In the Fiscal Year 2013 budget, the City Council provided a $100,000 grant to Helmets to Hardhats to better serve veterans in New York City. Currently, the program only has one part-time staff person operating in New York State, and has been able to place an average of 75 veterans in apprenticeships every year, the release said. 

"More and more veterans are returning to the five boroughs every day, and the City Council is working hard to make sure they have jobs to come home to," said Quinn.

"And what better way for many veterans to use the skills they developed in the military than in a rewarding and good paying career in the city's building trades? By helping Helmets to Hardhats expand their operations, we'll get even more veterans back to work and help ease their transition into civilian life."

Veterans interested in a career in the building and construction trades should visit the Helmets to Hardhats website and click the "Get Started" button to create and activate a profile.  

Once a profile is activated, users can browse hundreds of career and training opportunities and forward profiles to career providers. Veterans can also call Helmets to Hardhats at 866-741-6210.