Employers and advocates back 'troops to trades' bill, urge licensure crosswalks

Industry and veteran-serving organizations told the Veterans and Military Affairs Committee HB 5409 could become a practical pipeline from military service to civilian trades if the bill includes clear credentialing and administrative alignment.

Raymond Ryan, veteran-military outreach partner at General Dynamics Electric Boat, said Electric Boat expects to hire 8,000 workers this year, about 60% in Connecticut, and aims to recruit 1,000 veterans. "Our goal is to hire 1,000 veterans," Ryan said, noting veterans often already possess security clearances and technical skills that speed hiring.

Representatives from the construction and HVAC trades recommended concrete steps to move beyond awareness toward measurable credential outcomes. Don Schubert (Connecticut Construction Industries Association) said the bill should coordinate information and engagement to bridge service members and employers. Jen Jennings (Connecticut Heating and Cooling Contractors Association) urged the committee to create explicit module crediting so military occupational specialties map to the classroom and on-the-job training requirements for state trade licensure.

The National Guard Association of Connecticut supported the bill while encouraging the inclusion of currently serving guardsmen, MOS-to-licensure crosswalks, fee waivers and performance metrics to track credentialing and placement outcomes. Committee members voiced interest in using existing reports and compacts but asked staff and agencies to develop detailed crosswalks and administrative roles.

Lawmakers signaled the committee will continue refining language to align DVA, Department of Labor, and workforce agencies on implementation details and performance reporting.