JBLM HVACR Class 35: New Skills, New Careers in the Pipe Trades

The members of Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) HVACR Class 35 recently celebrated their graduation from the United Association Veterans in Piping (UA VIP) program, marking the start of their transition to civilian careers in the heating and cooling industry.

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 35 learned basic HVACR skills through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on training, building an understanding of what work in this trade involves.

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.

UA VIP students receive 720 hours of training, where they 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. They will receive direct entry into a UA Local Union and receive all the benefits of being a UA member, including good wages, excellent full-family medical insurance and great retirement benefits.

Program Locations

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 sprinkler fitting)
• Naval Station Norfolk (HVACR)

Learning the Trade

For Army Sgt. William Carreto, the UA VIP program opened up a whole new world.

“I had a great time in this class,” he said. “I learned so many new things about the HVAC skill.”

That dual education — technical skill paired with an understanding of how the UA operates and what membership means — gives UA VIP graduates a meaningful head start as they enter their apprenticeships.

Where Our Graduates Are Going

Once they transition out of the military, JBLM HVACR Class 35 graduates are guaranteed a job and direct entrance into a DOL-registered UA apprenticeship program at an agreed-upon location. The graduates from this class will be relocating to the following areas:

• Phoenix – UA Local 469
• Boise, Idaho – UA Local 296
• Baton Rouge, La. – UA Local 198
• Western Washington – UA Local 26

Advice for Future VIP Students From the Graduates

When asked what advice they would offer future VIP students, Class 35 graduates consistently mentioned the value of curiosity, effort and a willingness to do the work beyond the classroom.

“Always ask questions and take the fundamentals seriously,” said Army Spc. Changrui Liu.

Adrian Arevalo, an Army All-Source Intelligence Analyst, echoed that mindset and took it a step further.

“Take advantage of the program and be open to learning the little things,” he said. “Study and do assignments at home, even just to get a better understanding of the class.”

Congratulations, JBLM HVACR Class 35!

The entire UA family applauds the dedication and achievement of JBLM HVACR Class 35 and welcomes each graduate into our union family. As you embark on this new chapter, know that you are joining a Brotherhood and Sisterhood built on solidarity, opportunity and lifelong learning.

Want to learn more about the JBLM HVACR UA VIP Program? Visit uavip.org/apply for details on HVACR training and career opportunities for transitioning active duty service members.