Minnesota Veterans who are looking to transition into a new civilian career would receive an extra boost thanks to a bill authored by Sen. Mike Goggin (R-Red Wing). The Senate Jobs Committee on Wednesday heard Senate File 103, which would provide a $400,000 grant in each of the next two years to the “Helmets to Hard Hats” program.
“As we all know, a lot of times veterans come back from active duty only to encounter difficulty starting a new career,” said Sen. Goggin. “Helmets to Hardhats bridges that gap by helping veterans for a new career so they can build a family, contribute to their community, and pursue their dreams. It is a win-win-win situation – veterans win, businesses win, and the state of Minnesota wins.”
“Helmets to Hard Hats” is a national nonprofit that helps military service members transition into civilian life by connecting them with opportunities in the construction industry. They leverage relationships with veterans organizations, divisions of the military, and trade unions to connect veterans to opportunities regardless of age, race, gender, disability, or skill level. Many of these opportunities are with federally-approved apprenticeship programs that provide non-cost training and require no experience.
The program has been a fantastic success to date. Helmets to Hardhats helped 70 veterans in 2017, the first year of the program. In 2018, Helmets to Hardhats helped more than 300 veterans, and about 20 new veterans enter the program every month.
Senator Goggin carried Helmets to Hardhats legislation in 2017, which delivered $200,000 in both 2017 and 2018 to the program.
Senate File 103 was laid over and will be considered for the Jobs Committee Omnibus bill later in session.
WATCH: Senator Goggin and Senator Justin Eichorn (Grand Rapids) discuss helmets to hardhats legislation