Special to Ontario Construction News
After years of long hours and little satisfaction behind a civilian desk, former Corporal Mike Miniota found his true second calling as an Elevator Mechanic. The turning point came when he connected with Helmets to Hardhats (H2H), a national not-for-profit that helps Canada’s military community transition into rewarding skilled trades careers.
Founded in 2012, H2H partners with Canada’s Building Trades Unions and employers to help Veterans, reservists, senior cadets, and military families find stable, well-paid jobs that value their discipline, teamwork, and leadership. To date, H2H has helped thousands of military community members find new purpose in the trades.
Mike heard about H2H in 2018 when he met up with some of his old Army friends on Remembrance Day. “Most of them were out of the Army too, had gone through the H2H program, and were now Unionized Elevator Mechanics,” he recalls. “They all had significantly better work life balance, made more money, and were much happier with their careers.”
The very next day, Mike registered with Helmets to Hardhats. Soon after, he joined the International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC), and he hasn’t looked back since.
Mike joined the Canadian Armed Forces at just 20 years old, serving with the 3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment as a platoon signaler and LAV gunner. After an extended tour in Afghanistan, he transitioned out of the military.
Like many Veterans, Mike’s path after service wasn’t straightforward. He found a civilian role in IT but quickly realized it wasn’t for him. “I was miserable in a career with around-the-clock responsibilities and no real work-life balance,” he says.
With support from Helmets to Hardhats, Mike began his journey into the skilled trades. “When an opportunity to join a trade local was available, H2H let me know and I was able to start the intake process,” Mike explains. “The process was very straightforward.”
Mike quickly found that the same qualities that helped him succeed in uniform translated perfectly to the skilled trades.
“My military experience gave me the discipline and durability to come in every morning prepared and complete my work for the day. Working with my brothers in Local 50 was a very common experience and feels very similar to a military day.”
He adapted easily to the familiar structure and teamwork that define both military and trade environments. “In order to build those elevators, you need a group of mechanics and apprentices. This group is very similar to a military platoon. Lead by the most senior, and delegated to other experiences workers, that then work with and teach the least experienced.”
For those leaving the military, money, pensions, and quality of life are some of the biggest concerns. Employment is key, not just for income, but for maintaining a sense of identity and purpose. Mike says his experience with Helmets to Hardhats has been life changing. “Joining a trade as part of a union has improved my earnings and set clear boundaries with work hours and paid overtime. I have minimal work stress and at the end of the day.” These changes mean Mike can focus on what matters most – spending more time with his wife and two daughters.
The process is what he enjoys most about his job. “You don’t have to worry about the whole thing at once, just keep going one step at a time.”
His co-workers keep things lively, too. “You really never know what they’re up to next or what crazy story happened to someone at one of the construction sites.”
Mike encourages other Veterans and military members to think about the trades for their next career. “Go for it! You can do it.”