Kalamazoo Times

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) gave Helmets to Hardhats a $250,000 grant to support the Michigan Construction Apprenticeship post-Military Opportunity (MiCAMO) Program that intends to link 225 veterans with registered apprenticeships in Michigan’s construction industry.

The emphasis of the program is to aid retired military and National Guard personnel in transitioning into civilian employment. 

“Having the support of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity gives Helmets to Hardhats the ability to not only reach more veterans, but change more lives,” Martin Helms, Helmets to Hardhats executive director, said. “We agree with Gov. Whitmer on the importance of transitioning active-duty and retired military veterans with meaningful career opportunities in an industry that is critical to our state’s infrastructure. Our outreach to military service members allows us to connect them to middle class, family-sustaining career opportunities. We cannot thank LEO enough for their commitment to our nation’s military veterans and the Helmets to Hardhats program."

Whitmer praised the program as well.

“The MiCAMO Program offers active-duty and retired military veterans meaningful career opportunities in Michigan’s construction industry,” Whitmer said in a press release. “To continue fixing our roads and bridges so people can go to work or drop their kids off at school safely, we need high-quality construction completed by highly-skilled workers. The MiCAMO Program will empower those who served to land a good-paying, high-skill and in-demand job and help employers fill open positions. We will stay focused on growing our economy and turbocharging our progress to keep fixing our infrastructure.”

Other government officials had similar thoughts.

“We are continuously looking for solutions to address the skilled talent needs of our state’s employers – and the MiCAMO Program does that and much more,” Stephanie Beckhorn, director of LEO’s Office of Employment and Training, said. “The program not only helps address the talent needs of one of our state’s crucial industries – construction – but it also expands high-wage opportunities for Michigan Veterans. MiCAMO will have a real impact on Michigan families, businesses and communities.”

Officials from veteran's organizations were also pleased with the new funding.

“Veterans represent the best of the best that our workforce has to offer,” Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency Director Zaneta Adams said. “This program is exciting because it helps veterans realize the many opportunities to gain skills and sustainable income and enables them to increase the economic footprint in their communities. Serving the community is what veterans have been trained to do.”