Prime Minister Stephen Harper was in Edmonton Friday to announce federal cash for a program that will help Canadian military members transition from active duty, to a job in the trades.
Harper says the federal government will give $150,000 to the Helmets to Hardhats program, which assists soldiers making the switch from active military duty to full-time careers in the construction industry.
The prime minister was joined by local soldiers and the veteran's affairs minister as he made this announcement at the Boilermaker Training Facility in west Edmonton.
"Helmets to Hardhats will provide exclusive access to jobs and training opportunities in the construction industry for veterans, including disables veterans and for reservists and transition members of the Canadian Armed Forces," said Harper.
Harper praised the re-training program for the opportunity it will give to soldiers as they transition from military to civilian life. Many veterans returning from overseas are young and have a lengthy employment future ahead of them. He says this program will help them develop new skills working in the trades.
However, some say the investment isn't enough.
"It doesn't seem to be a lot of money, [compared to] what they put forward on other initiatives," Joseph McDonald, a soldier for 30 years who is planning to leave soon, and would like a career in the trades, said.
After the prime minister's announcement, Calgary-based TransCanada Corporation pledged $1 million to the program.
With files from Scott Roberts
