--- title: VIP Development description: This page is for development only. image: https://www.uavip.org/hubfs/uavip-seventeen/stock/apprentice-student-700.jpg --- [![United Association Veterans In Piping Program logo](https://www.uavip.org/hubfs/uavip-seventeen/logos/uavip-logo.svg "United Association Veterans In Piping Program logo")](https://www.uavip.org/) UNITED ASSOCIATION VETERANS IN PIPING PROGRAM [![Union Plumbers, Fitters, Welders and Service Technicians logo](https://www.uavip.org/hs-fs/hubfs/uavip-seventeen/logos/ua-logo-round-w-text-wt.png?width=798&height=798&name=ua-logo-round-w-text-wt.png "Union Plumbers, Fitters, Welders and Service Technicians logo")](https://www.ua.org/) Union Plumbers, Fitters, Welders and Service Technicians [Ë](https://www.uavip.org/development-blog/vip-development#mobile) ## NEWS AND HAPPENINGS WITH VIP Take a look at some of the newsworthy items for the VIP program. # VIP Development - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [ UA Veterans in Piping ](https://www.uavip.org/development-blog/author/ua-veterans-in-piping-vip) ###### Oct 23, 2020 12:20:16 PM ![](https://www.uavip.org/hubfs/uavip-seventeen/stock/apprentice-student-700.jpg) United Associations Veterans in Piping (UA VIP) Program Joint Base Lewis McChord HVAC-R Class 18 participants understand completing the program will lead to a successful career within the UA. Army Staff Sergeant Mark Rivera, a VIP student in Class 18, is grateful for the opportunities offered by the UA VIP Program. “If it was not for the United Association and Veterans in Piping, I would not have had a plan for the rest of my life,” said Rivera. “It has given me the opportunity for an amazing beginning to life outside of the military.![Mark Rivera picture](https://www.uavip.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Mark%20Rivera%20picture.jpg?width=160&name=Mark%20Rivera%20picture.jpg) The UA VIP Program is an 18-week Career Skills program offered to active-duty transitioning service members currently operating at seven military installations nationwide. The program gives active-duty transitioning military service members the chance to learn entry level pipe trades skills through classroom and hands-on activity. Despite having no experience or exposure to HVAC-R systems, Army Sergeant Manoucheka Valcena, another VIP student in HVAC-R Class 18, is glad she has been able to understand the course material. “The classroom instruction and hands-on activities are easy to follow,” Valcena said. “The classroom environment is set up in a way so nobody is left behind.” Once participants successfully complete the VIP Program and transition from the military, they are guaranteed a job with a UA signatory contractor in an agreed upon geographic location. The transitioning active-duty military service members, who are working to complete this program, are investing in a successful future for themselves and their family, as VIP graduates are helping to fill the jobs left open by the large number of retiring tradesmen and tradeswomen.![Manoucheka Valcena picture](https://www.uavip.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Manoucheka%20Valcena%20picture.jpg?width=160&name=Manoucheka%20Valcena%20picture.jpg) Job placement is just one of the benefits of graduating from the UA VIP Program. Graduates also gain direct entry into the five-year UA registered apprenticeship program. During their apprenticeship, graduates will build on their skill set, while they learn in the classroom and on-the-job from experienced journeymen. As their remaining time in the VIP Program winds down, JBLM HVAC-R Instructor David Gibson notices the excitement building amongst participants. “They are all a little nervous, but they have been communicating with the UA Locals and contractors,” said Gibson. “Now the nervousness is turning into excitement to begin their new careers with the UA.” The benefits of a career in the UA are plentiful, as apprentices start out earning a livable wage with scheduled pay increases as they progress through the apprenticeship program. They also earn benefits including full family health insurance and retirement benefits, such as a 401k and pension. To learn more about the VIP Programs offered at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, [click here.](https://www.uavip.org/apply) [HVACR](https://www.uavip.org/development-blog/topic/hvacr)  |   [Fort Carson](https://www.uavip.org/development-blog/topic/fort-carson)  |   [United Association](https://www.uavip.org/development-blog/topic/united-association)  |   [UA VIP](https://www.uavip.org/development-blog/topic/ua-vip)  |   [UA VIP Program](https://www.uavip.org/development-blog/topic/ua-vip-program)  |   [United Association VIP Program](https://www.uavip.org/development-blog/topic/united-association-vip-program)  |   [United State Army](https://www.uavip.org/development-blog/topic/united-state-army) ##### Comments ## faq FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS We’re sure you have lots of questions about the VIP Program. A lot of these questions can be answered in our FAQ area. Click the button below to learn more. [faq](https://www.uavip.org/faq) ## Video and Photo Gallery Take a [look](https://www.uavip.org/media-gallery) at everything the VIP program is doing for our returning veterans — through videos and photos. ![VIP Graduate David Adams](https://www.uavip.org/hubfs/images/VIP_Graduate_David_Adams_sm.jpg "VIP Graduate David Adams") ![VIP Graduate David Adams](https://www.uavip.org/hs-fs/hubfs/images/VIP_Graduate_David_Adams_sm-large.jpg?width=153&height=217&name=VIP_Graduate_David_Adams_sm-large.jpg "VIP Graduate David Adams") Pipefitters Local 455, St. Paul, MN, Apprentice David Adams (VIP graduate, Wisconsin Welding Class 2) is pictured on the job working for Pioneer Piping, Incorporated (PPI) at the Flint Hills Refinery in MN. ![Camp Pendleton](https://www.uavip.org/hubfs/images/Joe_Miller_Butte_MT_2.jpg "Camp Pendleton") ![Camp Pendleton](https://www.uavip.org/hs-fs/hubfs/images/Joe_Miller_Butte_MT_2-large.jpg?width=153&height=217&name=Joe_Miller_Butte_MT_2-large.jpg "Camp Pendleton") Camp Pendleton VIP Graduate turned out as Journeyman and makes a life in Butte, MT, with Local 41. ![Orry graduated](https://www.uavip.org/hubfs/images/Orry_Camp_Lejeune_02.jpg "Orry graduated") ![Orry graduated](https://www.uavip.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Photo_Gallery_/Orry_Camp_Lejeune_02_large.jpg?width=153&height=217&name=Orry_Camp_Lejeune_02_large.jpg "Orry graduated") Orry graduated on April 9, 2015 and affiliated with UA Local 455, St. Paul, MN. ![Jerry Heneha](https://www.uavip.org/hubfs/images/Jerry_FT_Sill_Class_01.jpg "Jerry Heneha") ![Jerry Heneha](https://www.uavip.org/hs-fs/hubfs/images/Jerry_FT_Sill_Class_01-large-1.jpg?width=217&height=153&name=Jerry_FT_Sill_Class_01-large-1.jpg "Jerry Heneha") Sgt. Jerry Heneha, A Battery, 1st Battalion, 31st Field Artillery, puts together a valve system in preparation for his final week of the United Association's Veterans in Piping program at the Industrial Training Complex Photo Credit: Ms. Marie Berberea (TRADOC) ![inaugural Sprinkler](https://www.uavip.org/hubfs/images/Fort_Sill_Class_01_800x600.jpg "inaugural Sprinkler") ![inaugural Sprinkler](https://www.uavip.org/hs-fs/hubfs/images/Fort_Sill_Class_01_800x600-large.jpg?width=217&height=169&name=Fort_Sill_Class_01_800x600-large.jpg "inaugural Sprinkler") Fort Sill's inaugural Sprinkler Fitter class began on 2 March 2015. ![SFC Michael Olsen](https://www.uavip.org/hubfs/images/VIP15FtHood-_104.jpg "SFC Michael Olsen") ![SFC Michael Olsen](https://www.uavip.org/hs-fs/hubfs/images/VIP15FtHood-_104-large.jpg?width=217&height=153&name=VIP15FtHood-_104-large.jpg "SFC Michael Olsen") SFC Michael Olsen and 1SG William Davidson presented their instructors Louis Purcella and Micah Tyler with a momentum from the class. ![SGT Howard Nash](https://www.uavip.org/hubfs/images/VIP15FtHood-_055.jpg "SGT Howard Nash") ![SGT Howard Nash](https://www.uavip.org/hs-fs/hubfs/images/VIP15FtHood-_055-large.jpg?width=217&height=153&name=VIP15FtHood-_055-large.jpg "SGT Howard Nash") SGT Howard Nash is headed to Harrisburg, PA, to affiliate with Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 520. ![Gail Pilecki](https://www.uavip.org/hubfs/images/VIP15FtHood-_038.jpg "Gail Pilecki") ![Gail Pilecki](https://www.uavip.org/hs-fs/hubfs/images/VIP15FtHood-_038-large.jpg?width=153&height=217&name=VIP15FtHood-_038-large.jpg "Gail Pilecki") Gail Pilecki was so proud of her son, SGT Jeremy Pilecki, on graduation day. SGT Pilecki will make his home in Houston, affiliating with Pipefitters Local 211. ![William Davidson](https://www.uavip.org/hubfs/images/VIP15FtHood-_017.jpg "William Davidson") ![William Davidson](https://www.uavip.org/hs-fs/hubfs/images/VIP15FtHood-_017-large.jpg?width=217&height=153&name=VIP15FtHood-_017-large.jpg "William Davidson") 1SG William Davidson gave the graduate testimonial. He will remain with his family in Waco, TX, affiliating with Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 529 in Waco, TX. ![Michael Olsen](https://www.uavip.org/hubfs/Photo_Gallery_/VIP15FtHood-_077_sm.jpg "Michael Olsen") ![Michael Olsen](https://www.uavip.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Photo_Gallery_/VIP15FtHood-_077_large.jpg?width=153&height=217&name=VIP15FtHood-_077_large.jpg "Michael Olsen") SFC Michael Olsen and his wife, Amanda, will remain in the area, affiliating with Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 529 in Waco, TX. ![SPC Chad Eberle](https://www.uavip.org/hubfs/Photo_Gallery_/VIP15FtHood-_032_sm.jpg "SPC Chad Eberle") ![SPC Chad Eberle](https://www.uavip.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Photo_Gallery_/VIP15FtHood-_032_large.jpg?width=153&height=217&name=VIP15FtHood-_032_large.jpg "SPC Chad Eberle") Alysa and SPC Chad Eberle will be heading to San Antonio, TX, with Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 142. ![SGT Lawrence Beller](https://www.uavip.org/hubfs/Photo_Gallery_/VIP15FtHood-_070_sm.jpg "SGT Lawrence Beller") ![SGT Lawrence Beller](https://www.uavip.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Photo_Gallery_/VIP15FtHood-_070_large.jpg?width=153&height=217&name=VIP15FtHood-_070_large.jpg "SGT Lawrence Beller") SGT Lawrence Beller, his wife, Brittney, and daughter, Nahla, will be making Houston, TX, their home, affiliating with Pipefitters Local 211. Mouse over thumbnails to view larger videos and photos or view entire [Gallery](https://www.uavip.org/media-gallery). ## News & Happenings ##### [More News & Happenings](https://www.uavip.org/news-happenings) ## faq FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS We’re sure you have lots of questions about the VIP Program. A lot of these questions can be answered in our FAQ area. Click the button below to learn more. [faq](https://www.uavip.org/faq) --- ## Video and Photo Gallery Take a [look](https://www-uavip-org.sandbox.hs-sites.com/media-gallery) at everything the VIP program is doing for our returning veterans — through videos and photos. [Gallery](https://www.uavip.org/media-gallery) --- ## News & Happenings [News](https://www.uavip.org/news-happenings)