Troops to Trades

- 101 5th St E #2100, St Paul, MN 55101

For Minnesota residents, especially those who have served in the United States military, transitioning to a civilian career can be a challenging but rewarding journey. In the heart of St. Paul, a non-profit initiative called Troops to Trades stands as a significant resource for veterans looking to build a new life in the skilled trades. While the name might appear in local business listings with services related to plumbing and HVAC, it is important for Minnesotans to understand that Troops to Trades is primarily a national scholarship and career assistance program, not a direct provider of plumbing or HVAC repair services in the Twin Cities metro area.

Troops to Trades operates under the umbrella of the Nexstar Legacy Foundation. The program's core mission is to bridge the gap between the honorable service of veterans, National Guard, and Reserve members and the high-demand need for skilled professionals in the residential service industries, specifically plumbing, heating, cooling, and electrical work. The program leverages the invaluable skills military personnel already possess—such as discipline, accountability, and a strong work ethic—and provides the necessary technical training to make a successful career switch.

The program is centrally located in St. Paul, reflecting a commitment to serving the Upper Midwest's veteran community, though its impact and network are nationwide. The focus is on providing veterans with the tools to find meaningful, long-term employment within these essential trades, which are experiencing significant workforce shortages. The long-term goal is to help veterans secure rewarding, family-sustaining careers that utilize their inherent leadership and problem-solving abilities.

It is vital to clarify the nature of their business for local users searching for a 'plumber' or 'HVAC contractor.' Troops to Trades does not perform residential or commercial repair work. Instead, it serves as a powerful conduit, offering financial aid and job connections to help veterans become the next generation of skilled plumbers and HVAC technicians who will serve communities across Minnesota and the country.

The program's association with the plumbing and HVAC industries is through its foundational support for individuals entering these fields, not as a service provider itself. This distinction is key for Minnesotans seeking either career assistance or residential service work. If you are looking for plumbing or HVAC repair, you would be contacting one of the many contractors who partner with or support the Troops to Trades mission by hiring its graduates.

Location and Accessibility

Troops to Trades, as an initiative of the Nexstar Legacy Foundation, is physically situated in a prominent and accessible part of downtown St. Paul. This central location in the Twin Cities metro area makes it a key hub for veterans seeking career guidance in the region.

The official address places it within a major commercial and administrative building, making it easily reachable by various forms of transportation. St. Paul's downtown area is well-served by Metro Transit buses and the light rail, offering excellent accessibility for veterans traveling from Minneapolis, the surrounding suburbs, and Greater Minnesota. The location is in close proximity to major thoroughfares, which is convenient for those driving to appointments or informational sessions.

Being located in a metropolitan center like St. Paul also allows the organization to better connect with a wide network of partner businesses and trade associations in the plumbing, heating, cooling, and electrical sectors throughout Minnesota, further enhancing the job placement opportunities for program participants.

The facility itself is an office location dedicated to the administration of the non-profit's programs, including processing applications for training grants and coordinating job placement through the Business Network. While the address is in St. Paul, the training offered through the program can take place at various technical schools and partner businesses across the United States, providing Minnesotans with flexible options for technical education.

Services Offered

Troops to Trades offers a suite of services specifically designed to facilitate the transition of veterans into the residential service trades. These services are centered around career guidance, financial aid for training, and job placement assistance. The program acts as a vital link between the disciplined workforce of the military and the technical demands of the civilian trades.

• Training Grants and Scholarships: The program provides all-expense-paid training grants and scholarships for veterans, National Guard, and Reserve members. These grants are specifically for hands-on, technical training in the plumbing, heating, cooling, and electrical residential service industries. The grants often cover tuition for focused technical school programs, which can last from a couple of weeks to a few months, giving veterans the necessary skills to start working quickly.
• Career Placement Options: Troops to Trades focuses on helping veterans secure immediate employment. They connect program participants with companies that are actively looking to hire apprentice or entry-level employees and are committed to continued on-the-job training.
• Access to the Business Network: The program maintains a network of service industry businesses that are veteran-friendly and interested in hiring program graduates. This network provides veterans with direct contacts to learn about and apply for technician careers in the residential service field.
• Focus on Residential Service Industries: The assistance is targeted towards high-demand areas, including:
  • Plumbing & Piping Services (Residential, Commercial, Industrial)
  • Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC)
  • Electrical Work and Heating Systems
  • Water Conditioning and Clean Water Supply Systems
• Skill Set Translation: They assist veterans in recognizing and translating their military-acquired skills—such as problem-solving, discipline, and teamwork—into valuable assets for a career in the trades.
• Ongoing Assistance and Support: Troops to Trades provides continuous support for businesses in recruiting and successfully onboarding veterans, ensuring a smooth transition for both the employer and the former service member.

Features / Highlights

The Troops to Trades program highlights several distinct features that make it a compelling choice for Minnesota veterans seeking a new career path and for local trade businesses looking to hire high-quality talent.

• Non-Profit and Veteran-Focused Mission: The organization is a non-profit committed exclusively to helping service members and veterans. This singular focus ensures that their resources and network are optimally aligned with veteran needs and career goals.
• Endorsed by Industry Leaders: As a program of the Nexstar Legacy Foundation, Troops to Trades is supported by a leading resource in the residential service industry, lending it credibility and a vast network of potential employers.
• Comprehensive Financial Aid: The program is noted for offering all-expense-paid grants for short, intensive technical training, which can allow veterans to gain essential skills and enter the workforce with minimal delay and without accumulating debt.
• Focus on Core Military Values: The program actively promotes the idea that military-trained workers are highly desirable due to their innate qualities—they are accountable, sincere, trustworthy, disciplined, and respect procedures, all of which are immense assets in the service industries.
• National Reach with a Local Presence: While the St. Paul office serves as an administrative base, the program’s ability to place veterans with partner companies across the United States, including numerous opportunities throughout Minnesota, provides broad career prospects.
• Targeting High-Demand, Stable Careers: By specializing in the P-H-C-E (Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, Electrical) trades, the program directs veterans toward industries known for long-term stability, strong wages, and consistent demand, even in the coldest Minnesota winters.

Contact Information

Minnesotans interested in the Troops to Trades career program or seeking more information about the Nexstar Legacy Foundation’s initiatives can use the following contact details for their St. Paul office location:

• Address: 101 5th St E #2100, St Paul, MN 55101, USA
• Phone: (651) 789-3366
• Mobile Phone: +1 651-789-3366
• Note: This location serves as the administrative and career assistance hub for the program and is not a physical trade school or a local service shop.

What is Worth Choosing

Choosing to connect with Troops to Trades is worthwhile for several key reasons, especially for veterans in Minnesota seeking a definitive and supportive path into a skilled career.

The greatest advantage is the direct connection to opportunity. The program is not just about general training; it is laser-focused on placing veterans into specific, high-paying jobs within the plumbing, HVAC, and electrical fields. These are careers that require the mental fortitude and practical skills that military service instills. The training is intensive and designed to get participants work-ready in weeks, not years, making it an efficient bridge to civilian employment.

Furthermore, the financial support is a game-changer. By offering all-expense-paid training grants, Troops to Trades removes a major financial barrier to career change, allowing veterans to pursue new skills without the burden of educational debt. This is a crucial element for many transitioning service members who need to establish financial stability quickly.

Finally, the validation of military experience is a powerful draw. Troops to Trades and its network of employers deeply value the inherent qualities of veterans, acknowledging that skills like reliability, integrity, and discipline are the true foundations of excellent service technicians. For a veteran, knowing that their military service is seen as a profound asset rather than a gap in civilian experience is incredibly encouraging and builds confidence for the next chapter of their professional life in Minnesota's thriving trade industries.

The program is a unique, nationally-recognized non-profit solution to two critical issues: veteran underemployment and the skilled labor shortage in essential home services. For any veteran in the St. Paul or greater Minnesota area considering a career change into a hands-on, respectable, and financially rewarding trade, engaging with the Troops to Trades program is a highly recommended first step.

Troops to Trades

101 5th St E #2100, St Paul, MN 55101, USA