Veterans in Construction
Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) is committed to connecting our military heroes to meaningful, long-term construction careers.
We recognize that the transition from military life to civilian life and work isn’t always easy; our goal is to help service members in that transition through quality apprenticeship programs that lead to stable employment, strong benefits packages, and union brothers and sisters who have each other’s backs.
In a union, we value team players, problem solvers, and hard workers.
Qualities like loyalty, dedication, teamwork, and problem-solving allow construction unions to thrive, succeed, and build the vital infrastructure that keeps our country moving at home. We see those skills in the women and men who served our country and want to celebrate their talents in our industry.
Find Out More
Are you interested in learning more about a career with the LIUNA Midwest Region? Fill out this form for more information.
“With the Laborers’ Union, much like the Army, there is a feeling of brotherhood, that somebody always has my back. We are held to a high standard in terms of quality, safety, and efficiency, and that gives me a real sense of pride. And, when I looked at the benefits package, the healthcare, the wages, etc., the decision to join LIUNA was an easy one.” — Will Ewan, LIUNA Local 362, Bloomington, Ill. • U.S. Army
Earn While You Learn
You’re considered part of our team and a union brother or sister from the moment you step into one of our training programs. That means you’re part of our union family and can take home the paycheck and benefits that come with earning while learning.
About LIUNA
A laborer is known as the utility player on the construction site. Through required classroom instruction and hands-on training, laborers are indispensable on every job site and have a diverse skill set that often makes them the first person on the job and the last to leave. Laborers are an essential part of any union construction jobsite.
We believe that veterans deserve the chance to start a new career. Our program requires all participants to be 18 and meet the physical capabilities to perform the work. As an apprentice with LIUNA, you’ll receive free classroom instruction and hands-on training. You’ll then practice your skills on the job under the supervision of a journey worker.
Apprentices are considered full-time employees from day one. That means you can earn while you learn, and take home a paycheck to support yourself and your family.
The Laborers partner with accredited pre-apprenticeship programs like Helmets to Hardhats, which have years of experience placing veterans in career-track building trades construction careers, while providing extensive, veteran-specific support.
GI Bill Benefits
Want to make use of your GI Bill benefits, but don’t want to sit in a traditional classroom? Are you looking for a way to get the most out of those benefits while working towards a career that honors your service and values your experience?
Our apprenticeship program is approved by the Federal government, which means you can use your GI Bill benefits to supplement your income while learning all the skills you need to be a successful laborer. Instead of a traditional four-year college, you get hands-on training, mentorship, and earn while you learn, all while qualifying for your GI Bill benefits.
The amount you receive will be specific to you and depend on a few things, including the GI program you qualify for, your eligibility percentage, and your training level.
Want to learn more?
- Are you interested in opportunities with LIUNA? Fill out this form to receive more information.
- Do you want to see how much GI Benefits for which you could qualify? You can use this U.S. Veteran Affairs’ GI Bill Comparison Tool to discover how your GI Bill benefits can support your education. Search and compare approved schools, employers, exams, licenses, and certifications to see how much your VA benefits can help cover.
Helmets to Hardhats’ (H2H) mission is to help transition our military heroes into successful civilian careers in the building trades. H2H connects transitioning military members with fulfilling, family-sustaining, middle-class careers in the construction industry via gold-standard, earn-while-you-learn Registered Apprenticeship programs. We connect participants with employers as well as educate them on how to use their G.I. Bill benefits to supplement their income while completing their training.
