Helmets to Hardhats and the Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries commit to supporting Veterans find meaningful careers in the nuclear industry with MoU signing

November 8, 2022 – Pickering, ON. Today, Joe Maloney, Founder and Executive Director of Helmets to Hardhats Canada (H2H), and Bill Walker, President & CEO of the Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries (OCNI), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This MoU will promote and support hiring Canadian Veterans, transitioning military members, Reservists, Cadets, military family members, and Afghan interpreters into the Canadian nuclear industry and the nuclear supply chain.

Under the MoU, both organizations recognize the value and the unique transferable skillsets that Canadian Veterans can bring to the construction and skill trades industry, including positions within the nuclear sector. H2H and OCNI have agreed to continue collaborating to recruit and retain more Veterans in the Canadian nuclear industry.

“This agreement is meaningful for the Canadian Veteran community and the Canadian economy. Helmets to Hardhats is looking forward to continuing our collaboration with the Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries to ensure our Veterans and transitioning military members are aware of the extensive opportunities within the Nuclear Industry,” remarked Joe Maloney, Founder and Executive Director of Helmets to Hardhats Canada.

“OCNI has taken an integral part in supporting H2H in previous years and will continue to assist our Canadian Veterans as they transition back into the workforce,” said Bill Walker, OCNI President & CEO. “With this commitment, OCNI encourages its fellow members to support this vital initiative by becoming involved with H2H and investing in our Veterans. As our industry expands, we can assist Veterans into new careers and simultaneously help to address Canada’s urgent need for more skilled tradespersons.”

To date, H2H has referred more than 2,500 Veterans or reservists to second careers, the vast majority by way of well-paid apprenticeships that lead to a skilled trades qualification. There is no cost incurred by participating employers, though the benefits they receive by training and hiring dedicated Veterans are immeasurable.

“We owe the men and women of our military – and all veterans – a debt of gratitude for the sacrifices they have made for our country,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “Our government will continue to give those who’ve served a hand up to meaningful careers in in-demand fields. This Veterans’ week, I applaud Helmets to Hardhats and OCNI for this partnership as we work together to build a stronger Ontario that leaves no one behind.”

“It’s vital that we support Veterans who wish to transition into the civilian workforce – through their years of service, they have unique skills and perspectives that would be a great asset to any organization or business. I’d like to congratulate Helmets to Hardhats and the Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries on this important agreement to support Canada’s Veterans,” mentioned Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence.

Both organizations are focused on supporting each other’s initiatives by finding sustainable, longterm opportunities to advance Canada’s economic growth and provide meaningful second careers for former Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and their families. As the nuclear industry expands its focus to clean and affordable energy, H2H will continue referring Veterans to OCNI to connect them with its member companies and to ultimately aid Canada in meeting its ambitious goal of “Net Zero by 2050”.

The new MoU will continue through November 8th, 2025.

About the organizations:

Helmets to Hardhats Canada (H2H) is a registered not for profit organization since 2012 which is dedicated to assisting Veterans, reservists and senior cadets into the unionized construction and related industry opportunities. H2H works with Canada’s 14 building trade unions representing 61 various occupations and their employers along with major industrial owners to successfully place Veterans, reservists and senior cadets into apprenticeship systems and direct hires with employers.

Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries (OCNI) is an association of more than 230 leading suppliers of the nuclear industry in Canada and the international marketplace. OCNI member companies employ more than 15,000 highly skilled and specialized people in Canada who manufacture major equipment, medical and safe applications of nuclear technology and provide engineering support services with CANDU and SMR technology for nuclear power plants domestically and internationally.

Contact information:

Rachel Roberts, Manager, Communications & Events
Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries (OCNI)
905-839-0073
communications@ocni.ca

Aidan Strickland, Director of Communications
Helmets to Hardhats Canada
astrickland@helmetstohardhats.ca