New Brunswick partners with non-profit to connect veterans with construction industry

A construction worker is pictured. (CTV file photo)

The Government of New Brunswick is partnering with Helmets to Hardhats Canada to help train veterans, military members and their families to join the skilled labour market.

In a news release Tuesday, the province says it’s spending $275,000 on the non-profit organization’s Skills Edge program, which helps the military community enter the unionized construction sector.

The program provides employment readiness support, outreach and pathways into apprenticeship and certification.

“We are going to need thousands of new employees in the skilled trades industry in the coming years. Helping former soldiers, reservists and their families launch a second career in a critical industry is an exciting opportunity,” said Jean-Claude D’Amours, minister of post-secondary education and training, in the release.

The province also states its unionized construction sector continues to experience labour shortages and an aging workforce.

“A skilled and adaptable workforce is vital to New Brunswick’s economic growth,” said D’Amours.

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