GOV. RITTER HONORS EFFORT TO PLACE RETURNING VETERANS IN CONSTRUCTION JOBS

GOVERNOR RITTER HONORS PARTNERSHIP TO PLACE

 RETURNING VETERANS IN QUALITY CONSTRUCTION JOBS

 

FORT CARSON — Gov. Bill Ritter today honored efforts to provide civilian careers for returning veterans with a proclamation recognizing the work of Helmets to Hardhats and the Colorado Building and Construction Trades Council.

 

"We must ensure that veterans, who risk their lives for our freedom, can successfully transition back into the civilian workforce when they come home," Gov. Ritter said, issuing the proclamation during a visit to a Fort Carson construction site. "Helmets to Hardhats is there to point veterans in the right direction, and the Colorado Building and Construction Trades Council is providing successful careers paths."

 

Helmets to Hardhats is a free, nonprofit program that connects retired and transitioning military members with construction business employers. Making a successful transition from the military into the civilian workforce can be difficult, so the program offers networking and helps military members translate the skills they learned in the military into a language that civilian employers can understand.

 

"Helmets to Hardhats is extremely delighted to be joined by Gov. Ritter and the State of Colorado in recognizing the critical importance of assisting our nation's military veterans, National Guard and Reserve in finding secure and stable careers and training in Construction," said Darrell L. Roberts, executive director of Helmets to Hardhats. "Through its formal support and acknowledgement of the Helmets to Hardhats program, Gov. Ritter and the State of Colorado have demonstrated a firm commitment to our veterans and service members that goes beyond just words."

 

The Colorado Building and Construction Trades Council is working with Helmets to Hardhats to help with job placement and networking.  "Colorado is home for many transitioning military families," said Neil Hall, the Council's business manager. "We at the Colorado State Building and Construction Trades Council want our servicemen and women to know we're proud of them and that we're here for them."

 

 Click here for more information on Helmets to Hardhats.

 

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HONORARY PROCLAMATION

 

HELMETS TO HARDHATS

December 16, 2009

 

WHEREAS, we who enjoy the blessings of freedom and the joys of liberty throughout the world owe a tremendous debt of gratitude and appreciation to those who have served and are serving in the Armed Forces of the United States; and 

 

WHEREAS, in January 2003, the Helmets to Hardhats program was created as part of a federally funded program – a program enabling military veterans to cope with transition after their service by helping them put their military training to use in jobs in the building and construction trades; and

 

WHEREAS, there is a need within the construction industry for men and women with prior training who exhibit discipline, leadership, and the ability to work in a team environment; and

 

WHEREAS, efforts to assist the re-entry of returning servicemen and women into civilian construction employment will ensure that the State of Colorado has a highly skilled construction workforce and provide assistance to returning servicemen and women; and

 

WHEREAS, the partnership encourages construction workers to become active in the National Guard and Reserves; and

 

WHEREAS, Colorado workforce centers have been a partner in Helmets to Hardhats programs at Buckley Air National Guard, Colorado National Guard, Peterson Air Force Base, Schriever Air Force Base, US Air Force Academy and US Army Fort Carson Base;

 

Therefore, I, Bill Ritter, Jr., Governor of the State of Colorado, do hereby proclaim December 16, 2009,

 

HELMETS TO HARDHATS

 

in the State of Colorado.

 

GIVEN under my hand and the Executive Seal of the State of Colorado, this sixteenth day of December, 2009

 

Bill Ritter, Jr.

Governor