Jason Hoel had been in the Army for eight years, stationed at Fort Campbell, KY, when he first heard about the VIP Welding program. “I was trying to get loans to pursue oceanography through the Soldier for Life program when I heard about the VIP Welding program,” Jason said.
“I walked over to where the welding shop was, and when I saw it, I thought, ‘This is exactly what I would like to do!’” Jason had a little bit of welding experience, and when he went home and discussed the VIP Welding program option with his wife and family, they were all very supportive. “Transitioning out of the Army for infantrymen is always very difficult,” Jason said.
“The job skills we have don’t easily transfer to civilian jobs. I didn’t want to be a police officer. I didn’t want to do any security detail. So this program gave me an opportunity to start a job at a great pay, and because of that, I wouldn’t have to worry about money. It gave me the ability to get out of the Army and to be able to support my family immediately. I didn’t have to start all over again. I have two kids who are 10 and 11, Natalie and Noah. This job made for a smooth transition for my entire family. The UA instructors were helpful and encouraging. They were the greatest teachers.”
Jason and his wife were originally from southern California, so when he heard the work was booming in San Jose, CA, they were more than eager to return home. “It was a little intimidating at first, because I didn’t know anyone,” he said, “but now I work for a smaller company called M-Tech, and I’ve been with them for about seven months. There are only two of us on the piping side. We have been installing the lines for various gases on jobs such as the Bay 21 Casino, Old Solar City, and Tesla— smaller jobs for multiple companies. I’ve been teamed up with the same journeyman. I like that. I struggle with some PTSD issues. It’s hard for me to be in crowded, large areas at times. He understands that. We are always doing something different. I like that about this job.”
Jason said he feels like he is using his brain again by attending school through the apprenticeship program. “I’m using my hands and using math all the time. I felt like I was losing some of that,” he said.
“If you’re in this industry, you like to feel like you have the ‘one-up’ on the next guy, and I like that aspect of the job. It’s incredible that we can get college credit for some of these classes. I think about pursuing my associate degree, and I have an interest in learning CAD (computer-aided design) and BIM (business information modeling). There are so many avenues you can take in this career.”
This United Association Veterans In Piping Success Story was originally printed in the CareerOps: Career Opportunities in Piping for Transitioning Veterans Fall/Winter 2017 edition.
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