PORTAGE – The unemployment rate for Gulf War-era II veterans (those who have served since 2001) is considerably higher than non-veterans, 11.9 percent compared to 8.7 percent.
Programs like the Helmets to Hardhats organization and the Iron Workers Local 395 Apprenticeship Program are working to combat this problem and bring quality careers to America’s troops returning home from overseas.
At the recent Iron Workers National Apprentice Competition in Indianapolis, the second place winner of the competition was David Brightwell Jr. He spent five years in the Army, a year and a half of which was served in Afghanistan. Upon returning from his tour in the Middle East, he underwent medical treatment at Walter Reed hospitals for injuries sustained in combat.
When he recovered he joined the apprenticeship program to fulfill the dream he’s had since he was four years old – becoming an iron worker. Brightwell says the most rewarding part of being an iron worker so far is overcoming the obstacle of injury, doing what he loves and putting up buildings.
“You get that visual and physical satisfaction that a lot of other jobs don’t give you. Every day you can look up and see what you’ve actually done,” said Jimmy Hale, an instructor with the Local 395 apprenticeship program.
Iron Workers Local 395 is located at 6570 Ameriplex Drive, Portage.
