The members of Camp Pendleton Welding Class 48 have graduated from the United Association Veterans in Piping (UA VIP) program. Having completed their on-base training, they are ready to take the next step toward civilian careers in the pipe trades.
A DoW SkillBridge program, UA VIP, is open to active-duty service members who will be in their 180-day transition window when the course begins and ends.
During the program’s 118-day training period, the members of Class 48 learned foundational welding skills from experienced journeyman instructors through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on training, building the knowledge and skills they will carry into UA apprenticeships and careers in the pipe trades.
Class 48 students were taught the fundamentals of welding by experienced journeyman instructors. During their time in the program, the students had the opportunity to earn numerous industry-recognized welding certifications that they can take with them, giving them a leg up on their fellow apprentices.
A Proven Pathway: UA VIP
For more than a decade, the UA VIP Program has helped transitioning active-duty service members prepare for good-paying, in-demand civilian careers after they leave the military.
During the 720 hours of pre-apprenticeship training, UA VIP students learn basic pipe trade skills in one of three crafts: HVACR, welding or sprinkler fitting.
Once VIP participants graduate and transition out of the military, they enter the UA’s five-year Registered Apprenticeship Program, where they will continue to build on their newly acquired skill set without taking on student debt.
VIP graduates are also guaranteed jobs with a UA signatory contractor in an agreed-upon geographic location. As new members of that area’s UA Local Union, they will enjoy all benefits, including good wages, excellent full-family medical insurance and great retirement benefits.
Where Class 48 Graduates Are Going
Working with program administrators, Class 48 graduates agreed on the geographic areas where they will begin their civilian careers. Once they transition out of the military, Camp Pendleton Welding Class 48 graduates will head to the following areas and Local Unions:
- San Diego – UA Local 230
- Central New Jersey – UA Local 9
- Houston – UA Local 211
- Colton, Calif. – UA Local 364
More about UA VIP
The UA VIP program offers accelerated training in welding, HVACR or sprinkler fitting at the following military bases:
- Camp Pendleton (welding)
- Joint Base Lewis-McChord (welding and HVACR)
- Fort Carson (welding)
- Fort Hood (welding)
- Camp Lejeune (welding)
- Fort Campbell (welding and fire suppression)
- Naval Station Norfolk (HVACR)
H2 Congratulations, Camp Pendleton Welding Class 48
Graduation is a milestone, but it is also the beginning of what comes next. The graduates of Camp Pendleton Welding Class 48 have proven they can handle the pace, do the work and stay committed to learning.
Congratulations to the members of Camp Pendleton Welding Class 48. The UA family is proud of your accomplishment and looks forward to seeing you on future jobsites.
Interested in the UA VIP Program at Camp Pendleton? Visit uavip.org/camp-pendleton-vip-opportunities to learn more about welding training opportunities for transitioning service members.
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