Joseph Maloney is the founder of Helmets to Hardhats and was the Executive Director until he retired in 2023. He founded the program in 2003 in the U.S. and expanded the program to Canada in 2012, when he moved back to the country.
Helmets to Hardhats Canada is a registered non-profit organization providing opportunities in the unionized construction industry for serving members and Veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces. Helmets to Hardhats works with the community of building trades unions and employers to ensure registrants receive only the best industry wages, benefits and pension plans. Helmets to Hardhats is recognized as a leading service provider by the Canadian Armed Forces, Veterans Affairs Canada, and Canada’s 14 building trade unions along with leading industry business owners.
Joseph garnered support as he began the initiative and obtained funding from the Canadian government, the governments of Ontario, Alberta and New Brunswick, in addition to private doners. However, Joseph was looking for a long-term sustainable funding solution and found it when he negotiated with the construction unions to add a donation of a penny per hour worked into their collective agreements. To date, and based on Veterans who have reported back to the organization, Helmets to Hardhats has placed over 4,000 Veterans in the construction industry.
Additionally, Joseph and the Helmets to Hardhats team meet regularly with Canada’s 14 building trade unions, employers, training and education centres, and government stakeholders to ensure Veterans have a voice at the table within the construction sectors, including ship building and repair, nuclear and utility industries, petro-chemical, chemical, pulp and paper, and oil and gas sectors.
Joseph has ensured that Helmets to Hardhats has a presence at Second Career Assistance Network presentations on Canadian Armed Forces bases across the country to ensure that the hiring of Veterans is a priority.
Joseph’s passion for those who have served is evident in his lifelong charity work. Helmets to Hardhats ensures that the necessary network of supports are in place for Veterans to meet their needs post-service.