Movers & Shakers: Joel Welter, Minnesota director, Helmets to Hardhats

Joel Welter, Minnesota director of Helmets to Hardhats, is leading a new effort to persuade veterans and military members to pursue construction careers.

The St. Paul-based Construction Careers Foundation hired Welter and is working with Helmets to Hardhats, a national nonprofit, to build a program here to recruit military members and veterans to construction trade apprenticeship programs.

In particular, Welter said, he hopes young veterans who entered the service after high school will consider construction work as an alternative to college that can lead to a career that pays well and offers good benefits. Lawmakers last year approved a two-year, $400,000 grant to support the program.

"The average construction worker in Minnesota is 47 years old so we're on the cusp of a retirement bubble in some trades," Welter said. "I want to make sure that all our veterans whether they're active duty, Guard, Reserve, no matter what branch, have the opportunity to explore all their career options."

Welter is a major and commander of the 728th Construction Management Team based at Fort Snelling. He joined the U.S. Army Reserve after high school and has served yearlong tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. A University of Minnesota graduate, Welter joined Pipefitters Local Union 539 in 2003.

Welter will contact Minnesota veterans and service members who register at www.helmetstohardhats.org. To be eligible, veterans must be at least 18 years old and have an honorable discharge and high school diploma or equivalent. A drug test and a formal interview also are required. The Minnesota GI Bill can help with the costs some apprenticeship programs charge.

Q: How do you work with veterans to register with Helmets to Hardhats?

A: I try to figure out where their interests are, what skills they have and which trade might be the best fit for them. Some might have a trade-related military background or worked in the trades before going into the military. If someone has a desire to pursue one of the trades, that's what I look for.

Q: Why do construction companies want to hire veterans?

A: Employers know veterans have an ingrained work ethic. They're going to show up promptly. They're going to be used to being part of a group. Timeliness, work ethic and teamwork are three of the most valuable attributes from a contractor point of view.

Q: Why is working in the trades a good fit for some veterans?

A: It's a relatively structured environment. You know exactly when you're supposed to be there, exactly what you're expected to do and you have people who are your teammates or co-workers. The trades are one of the true equal opportunity employers. There is no disparity in wages.

Todd Nelson