Comstock's magazine 1119 - November 2019 | Page 7

SALUTING VETERANS Northern California Carpenters Regional Council SALUTING VETERANS EVERYWHERE S gt. Christopher Dupzyk honorably apprenticeship program. Today, he works as served in the Marine Corps for eight a foreman in the greater Sacramento region years. After his service, he found that and has worked on numerous commercial transitioning back to civilian life and finding high-rise projects, such as hotels, medical employment was challenging. office buildings and strip malls. “I spent five years after the military trying The Helmets to Hardhats apprenticeship to decide what career I should pursue, and, program, like other union-management eventually, turned to the construction field,” programs, is regulated and approved at says Dupzyk. “Thanks to the carpenters both the federal and state level. Because union (United Brotherhood of Carpenters of this, veterans are able to utilize their and Joiners of America), and their Helmets Montgomery GI Bill benefits to supplement to Hardhats program, I was afforded an their earnings while learning the trade. opportunity to develop my skills and fast track my career.” “This program has not only positively impacted my life, it has also advanced Helmets to Hardhats, a national nonprofit my career,” says Dupzyk. “I am extremely program, connects National Guard, Army grateful for the support this program offers, Reserve, and retired and transitioning and, likewise, the different opportunities active-duty military service members I’ve had access to in the construction with skilled training and quality career industry because of it.” opportunities in the construction industry. Not only does the program help veterans like Dupzyk successfully transition back into civilian life, it also offers them the means to “Thanks to Helmets to Hardhats, I was able to fine- tune my skills and accelerate my career.” CHRISTOPHER DUPZYK Veterans interested in Helmets to Hardhats are encouraged to visit https:// helmetstohardhats.org to learn more. secure a quality career in construction. After learning about Helmets to Hardhats three years ago, Dupzyk started the process and went through the nonprofit’s pre- HelmetsToHardhats.org