Our organization has always thought a tremendous amount about veterans. The transition from military service to civilian life can be very tough for someone who has spent many years of their lives completely devoted to the military. It can be especially challenging for someone with high energy. They might have gone into the military with some goals and now find themselves uncertain about what to do next. The military is very hands-on and highly technical in terms of training, which is very similar to plumbing.
One of the reasons why I feel that the trades are so attractive for retired or non-active military is because of the training. Anyone who’s been in the military definitely values ongoing learning. Constant training is deeply ingrained in how they do things. We have the same constant learning process in the trades. There’s commercial, industrial, residential, new construction, service with existing homes, drain cleaning, excavation, and so many other different skill sets that can be learned. I think this can fill one of the missing voids after leaving the military. A lot of times someone can come out of that training environment and have a sense of boredom. It helps to be able to go into something that always teaches something new.
The military can also give the feeling of being needed and fulfilling a higher purpose. Tradespeople are in very high demand right now because the supply is so low. It gives a similar sense of being needed, making a difference, and serving others. We’ve also found that the discipline and hard work engrained in these individuals translates very well to the trades. Many companies are honed into this, and it’s really cool when they pay for training. Someone coming out of the military looking for the next phase of their life can start with very little personal investment. You’re getting paid to learn with our apprenticeship program, which can be very awesome when it comes to financial backing at this point in life.
Reach out to our talent acquisition person, Calvin, to get started. You can also give us a call at 540-483-9382. We partner with a company that uses GI Bill funds to provide six-week courses for training in HVAC and plumbing. The whole institution is run by veterans, and we have a very good partnership with them.
