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From Service to Skilled Trades
For many veterans, the transition from military service to civilian life can be one of the hardest battles they face. Helmets to Hardhats was created to make that transition smoother by connecting veterans, National Guard, and Reserve members with high-paying, long-term careers in the construction industry.
Since its founding in 2003, this national nonprofit has helped thousands of service members find purpose again, this time through hard work, teamwork, and skilled craftsmanship that builds the backbone of America.
✅ On this page you’ll find:
- What Helmets to Hardhats does and who it serves
- Key programs and how they work
- Ways to support or get involved
- American-made brands that support Helmets to Hardhats
🇺🇸 Perfect for:
- Veterans and transitioning service members seeking careers in the trades
- Employers and unions looking for reliable, skilled workers
- Supporters who want to champion veteran employment
- American-made brands that believe in building both products and people in the USA
What Is Helmets to Hardhats?
Helmets to Hardhats (H2H) is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit program that helps military service members and veterans transition into careers in the construction trades. By partnering with 15 major trade organizations and thousands of contractors across the United States, H2H connects qualified veterans with federally approved apprenticeship programs that lead to stable, well-paying jobs.
These apprenticeships cover more than 65 skilled trades, from electricians and carpenters to plumbers, welders, and heavy equipment operators. Participants receive free training, earn while they learn, and build sustainable careers that support their families and communities.
Headquarters:
📍 1750 New York Avenue NW, Washington, D.C.
Their mission:
“To help transition our military heroes into successful civilian careers in the building trades.” – Helmets to Hardhats
Key Programs & Opportunities Offered by Helmets to Hardhats
Helmets to Hardhats opens doors to a wide range of opportunities across the construction industry, ensuring that every veteran, regardless of rank or background, has access to a rewarding future.
Career Placement and Apprenticeships
The cornerstone of the H2H program, career placement connects service members directly with apprenticeship opportunities in over a dozen major construction trades. These apprenticeships are federally approved and pay living wages from day one, with benefits and opportunities for advancement.
Building Trades and Union Partnerships
Helmets to Hardhats partners with North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU), creating a pipeline for veterans to join one of the strongest career networks in the nation. These partnerships also ensure that veterans receive industry-recognized training, safety certification, and mentorship from experienced professionals.
Disabled Veterans Program
H2H works with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense to help disabled veterans find adaptive roles in the construction industry. This initiative focuses on creating opportunities that match each veteran’s capabilities, ensuring inclusivity and continued service to the country through meaningful work.
National Guard and Reserve Program
Because many veterans continue to serve part-time in the National Guard or Reserves, Helmets to Hardhats maintains flexible career paths that accommodate their dual responsibilities. Employers in the H2H network understand the importance of service and work closely with these veterans to support their schedules.
Women in Trades
Helmets to Hardhats actively recruits and supports women veterans pursuing skilled trades. Through mentorship, networking, and community programs, H2H helps female service members gain confidence and thrive in traditionally male-dominated industries.
Verifying the Nonprofit Helmets to Hardhats
Helmets to Hardhats is recognized as a trusted and transparent organization serving veterans nationwide.
- Tax-Exempt Status: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
- Charity Navigator Rating: Not currently rated (federal program under NABTU oversight)
- Headquarters: Washington, D.C.
- Recognition: Nationally endorsed by the U.S. Department of Defense, Department of Labor, and Veterans Affairs
How You Can Support Helmets to Hardhats
Every opportunity created through Helmets to Hardhats represents a life rebuilt, a new skill learned, and a future strengthened. Here’s how you can get involved:
- Donate: Financial contributions help expand outreach and fund veteran transition services.
- Hire a Veteran: Employers and contractors can register with H2H to access pre-screened, job-ready candidates.
- Volunteer or Mentor: Skilled trades professionals can mentor veterans and support local apprenticeship programs.
- Spread Awareness: Share this page and their mission to help more veterans discover these life-changing opportunities.
- Partner as a Business: Join other American-made brands that align with the H2H mission to empower veterans through careers in craftsmanship.
- Shop Supporting Brands: The American-made brands listed below support Helmets to Hardhats
American-Made Brands Supporting Helmets to Hardhats
At Made in the USA Matters, I highlight companies that not only manufacture here at home but also give back to the men and women who served. The brands below proudly support Helmets to Hardhats through sponsorships, donations, and employment initiatives.
DeWalt
DeWalt is one of America’s most recognized names in professional tools and construction equipment, and a strong supporter of the Helmets to Hardhats mission to help veterans transition into skilled trade careers.
While not all DeWalt tools are U.S.-made, the company proudly produces select tools made in the USA with global materials, including hammer drill and impact driver combos, reciprocating saw blades, premium retractable utility knives, and more. These products are assembled in American facilities using both domestic and imported components, supporting local jobs and the skilled workforce that builds them.
Through its partnership with Helmets to Hardhats, DeWalt continues to give back to the very people who use its tools every day, veterans who’ve traded their helmets for hard hats and are helping build America’s future.
- Product Focus: Power tools, hand tools, and accessories
- Made in USA: Select products made in the USA with global materials
- Best For: Builders, contractors, and DIYers who want to support U.S. manufacturing
- Why Support Them: American-assembled tools and an ongoing commitment to veterans through Helmets to Hardhats
Duke Cannon
Duke Cannon is a men’s grooming brand that manufactures its products in the USA and gives back through the Duke Cannon Veterans Fund. The company has supported Helmets to Hardhats as part of its mission to help veterans transition successfully into civilian life.
From soaps to beard care and cologne, Duke Cannon men’s grooming products made in the USA, combine rugged quality with a purpose: supporting hardworking men, both in uniform and on the job site.
- Product Focus: Men’s grooming and hygiene essentials
- Made in USA: Manufactured domestically with U.S. suppliers
- Best For: Men who value performance, quality, and purpose-driven products
- Why Support Them: Proudly American-made and committed to helping veterans find new careers through Helmets to Hardhats
✅ Editor’s Note: My husband Don is a plumber, which means his workday starts early and ends covered in evidence of just how hard he works. Duke Cannon soap is our go-to because it gets the job done, and every purchase helps veterans get back on their feet through programs like Helmets to Hardhats. I call that cleaning up for a cause.
📌 Frequently Asked Questions About Helmets to Hardhats
Q: Who can apply for Helmets to Hardhats?
A: Active-duty, National Guard, Reserve, retired, or transitioning service members are eligible, as well as veterans with honorable discharges.
Q: What types of jobs are available?
A: H2H connects veterans to construction, electrical, plumbing, welding, HVAC, and other skilled trade apprenticeships nationwide.
Q: Is there a cost to participate?
A: No. All H2H services and programs are completely free for veterans.
Q: Do I need experience in construction?
A: No prior experience is required. Apprenticeships include complete training while you earn a paycheck.
Q: Can employers partner with Helmets to Hardhats?
A: Yes. Employers can register to hire skilled, pre-screened veterans and access H2H’s national talent network.
Final Thoughts
Helmets to Hardhats bridges the gap between service and civilian life, empowering veterans to build new futures in America’s skilled trades. Every apprentice, every job, and every paycheck represents a mission accomplished, one that strengthens both our workforce and our country.
If you’re looking to support veteran employment or simply want to buy from American-made brands that do, Helmets to Hardhats is a cause worth standing behind.
💬 Have you or someone you know benefited from Helmets to Hardhats? Share your story in the comments. Your experience might help another veteran find their next mission.
References & Resources
- Helmets to Hardhats: Official website
- New York Helmets to Hard Hats: Affiliated with the New York State Building Trades Unions
- Charity Navigator: Data tool for non-profit organization information
- Candid: Non-profits and grants data, NY Helmets to Hardhats
- U.S. Department of Labor: Apprenticeship programs
Michelle K. Barto is the founder and lead writer of MadeInTheUSAMatters.com, a site dedicated to helping consumers discover and support products made in the USA. With over 25 years of professional blogging and content creation experience, Michelle combines deep research with firsthand product use to bring readers honest, practical, and engaging reviews alongside easy-to-browse brand and product directories.
Raised with a respect for American craftsmanship, Michelle personally uses and tests many of the products featured on the site — from cookware she uses in her own kitchen to outdoor gear she takes camping with her family. Her mission is simple: make it easier for people to choose quality, American-made goods that support jobs, communities, and manufacturing here at home.
When she’s not writing, you’ll find Michelle working on backyard and home remodeling projects, exploring local parks, or planning the next family adventure in their camper. She lives in Ohio with her husband, youngest son, cat, and a small flock of ducks.
