Over the last decade, more than 2 million men and women have served and sacrificed for our nation. Despite being a disciplined and highly-trainable population, military members face an exceedingly high unemployment rate upon leaving the service.
To ease the transition back into civilian life, the United Association established the UA Veterans in Piping (VIP) Program to equip military service members preparing to leave the service with sought after skills that can lead to lifelong careers in the increasingly in-demand pipe trades. The courses, which are 118 days in length - provided free of cost on military bases across the country - VIP participants earn industry-recognized certifications and direct entry into solid private-sector jobs with good pay and benefits.
In addition to veteran unemployment, the UA VIP Program was created to address a growing shortage in the construction industry of skilled workers due to the combined effects of an aging workforce, increased demand, and a lack of skills training for youth.
With praise from Congress, the U.S. Department of Labor, the military and media, the UA VIP Program is recognized as one of the best active-duty military transition programs in the country.
To learn more about the UA VIP Program, click here.
About the UA
The United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada (UA); affiliated with the national building trades, represents more than 362,000 plumbers, pipefitters, sprinkler fitters and service technicians in North America.
In 1936, the UA was recognized as operating the first nationally registered joint apprenticeship program in the United States. Today, individuals who enter a five-year UA apprenticeship program are part of a select group of men and women motivated to learn a complex and challenging trade while upholding the ideals of trade unionism. It is for this reason that we are so committed to working with transitioning military service members through our Veterans In Piping Program.
