Veterans and the union construction industry A partnership based on exceptional work ethic and training

Every American will agree that our military is by far the most superior, and has rightfully earned both the respect and gratitude of peace loving citizens both here and abroad. Its great success comes from their willingness to give 100 percent to everything they do. This is especially true of their commitment to training, and learning to perform duties under adverse conditions.

The challenges our veterans face and overcome while deployed around the world, while protecting our freedom and our families, make us forever grateful to them all. Unfortunately, after their dedicated service our veterans encounter an exceedingly high unemployment rate despite the fact they are highly disciplined, trainable and adaptable.

Our gratitude to these brave men and women must include more than just appreciative words. It must include concrete career opportunities so they can support and care for the families they had to leave, as they provided protection for us and our families.

The Construction Industry Service Corporation (CISCO) represents 8,000 union contractors, and 140,000 skilled union workers in northeastern Illinois, and provides more than lip service to our military personnel. Veterans have always comprised a large portion of our past and present union workforce, and many of our union contractors are veteran-owned businesses. The union construction industry recruits veterans through many avenues. Two of the largest and most successful of these programs are Helmets to Hardhats, and Veterans In Piping (VIP).

The VIP program offers skills training in the pipe trades to U.S. veterans and active duty military personnel preparing to leave the service, through 18-week accelerated courses. VIP participants earn industry-recognized certifications and 100 percent of VIP graduates are placed in quality jobs with good pay, along with health care and retirement benefits. This allows them the opportunity to provide for their families after their service has been completed. All this is done at absolutely no cost to the military, the government or participants because all costs are paid by the UA and their union contractors. The Union of Plumbers, Fitters, Welders, & Service Techs (UA) and its contractors invest millions in building training facilities at six military bases across the country. As a result military and government officials have lauded VIP as a model in workforce development.

Helmets to Hardhats helps recruit veterans to achieve the mission of North America's Building Trades Unions. That mission is to develop and deploy the safest, most highly skilled and productive skilled craft workforce found anywhere in the world, while establishing and protecting wage and benefit standards that ensure that careers in the construction industry are a path to the middle class.

Helmets to Hardhats connects National Guard, reserve and transitioning active-duty military members with quality career training and employment opportunities within the building and construction industry.

The program is described best by Lt. General H. Steven Blum, chief of the National Guard Bureau. "Together, the military and the construction trades have built America over the past several hundred years, with the same kind of sweat, equity and commitment and courage," Blum said.

The results of this program in the Chicagoland area alone, show that more than 1,000 veterans have enrolled in apprenticeships through Helmets to Hardhats.

After protecting America and keeping us safe and strong for so many years, our Veterans continue to be a source of strength as they help to build America's bridges, roads and high-rises thanks to the union construction industry.

• Dan Allen is executive director of the Construction Industry Service Corporation (CISCO) dan@cisco.org.