Celebrating Veteran’s Day and more than two years of connecting vets to floorcovering industry careers through Helmets to Hardhats Partnership
Glassboro, NJ (October 2018) – Volunteering to provide a care package or deliver a hot meal. Donating to a cause that supports veterans. Taking time to say “thank you” to those who have served our country. These are all good things we can do to honor those who have served this Veteran’s Day. INSTALL takes veteran support to the next level through a successful career placement program with Helmets to Hardhats (H2H). The program was designed to help military service members successfully transition back into civilian life by offering them the means to secure a quality profession in the construction industry.
In April 2016, INSTALL and Helmets to Hardhats (H2H) forged a partnership calling on INSTALL contractors to sponsor veterans with the goal of bringing new skilled workers into the floorcovering industry through apprenticeships. Since then, more than 200 vets have shown interest in an apprenticeship and INSTALL is actively working to connect them to contractors for possible career opportunities.
A Model for Success
When Roderick Deas, who served in the army, was ready to start his career he reached out to his recruiting agent to find a program designed for veterans. With an interest in the construction field, he pursued a floor covering career because it offers year-round stability that ensures he can support his growing family of five.
Now in his second year as an INSTALL apprentice with sponsor contractor Circle Floors Inc., Deas hasn’t looked back. “The hands on training I receive at school and in the field is incredibly comprehensive. First INSTALL helps us understand how to properly install flooring in the classroom, this is followed by instructor demonstrations, and then you get to try it for yourself.” Deas says that he values the program because he is not only being taught how to install flooring, but he is being taught the why behind each step.
John T. McGrath Jr. executive director of INSTALL added, “We are committed to helping vets succeed in all stages of the program, from application to completion. We hope to build on our success by continuing to open doors for vets through our partnership with the H2H program and contractors.”
Getting Involved
INSTALL contractors that would like to support this partnership must commit to sponsoring a veteran in the INSTALL apprenticeship program and hiring him or her. For this commitment, contractors will be recognized as partners of Helmets to Hardhats. Once a contractor has committed to the program by contacting INSTALL, H2H will match the company with potential candidates for the position. Flooring contractors interested in this program should contact John McGrath, INSTALL executive director, [email protected].
Veterans interested in pursuing a career in floorcovering through the INSTALL program should begin the process by contacting Helmets to Hardhats.
About INSTALL
INSTALL, the International Standards and Training Alliance, is an association of professionals representing the entire flooring industry: installers, contractors, manufacturers, associations and consultants. By bringing together stakeholders at every level of floor covering installation, INSTALL has the resources, capability and commitment to deliver work we can all take pride in. Rigorous standards, comprehensive training using manufacturer-directed curriculum, and the industry’s only free, extended and non-proprietary third-party warranty on labor demonstrate our commitment to long-term value. For more on INSTALL, visit www.installfloors.org.
