Remembering and Supporting our Military Veterans

Greg Matte, thinks of Canada’s veterans every day, not just on Remembrance Day. That’s because he is a retired Brigadier-General and the National Executive Director of Helmets to Hardhats Canada - an organization that helps retired and transitioning active-duty military members of the Canadian Forces connect to quality career and training opportunities in one of Canada’s most challenging and rewarding industries – the building and construction industry.

“Canada’s veterans have so many qualities that lend themselves perfectly to the construction industry,” says Matte. “They are resilient, resourceful and adapt well to new challenges. They can think on their feet in stressful situations, they know how to work as team players, or better yet, how to lead a team towards completing a task. Veterans are an excellent means of helping Canada meet its needs for skilled workers, and an excellent fit for this industry.”

Since its inception approximately 18 months ago, Helmets to Hardhats Canada has launched its website and online application system, registered over 1600 veterans and developed almost 70 employer partnerships across Canada.

One of those employers, TransCanada, not only partnered with Helmets to Hardhats Canada but also made a $1 million commitment to get the organization started in early 2012.

Learn more about TransCanada's ongoing support for military veterans through several ongoing partnerships on our blog.