The students of Joint Base Lewis-McChord Welding Class 28 are halfway through their time in the United Association Veterans In Piping (UA VIP) program.
Students will continue to prepare for future civilian careers in the pipe trades as they receive advanced welding training from UA journeymen instructors.
Students will benefit from both hands-on training and classroom instruction. This combined approach is geared toward helping them earn industry-recognized certifications before they graduate and then gain acceptance into a UA-registered apprenticeship program.
As a DOD Skillbridge Program, UA VIP is designed to help transitioning active-duty service members find rewarding civilian careers in the welding, HVAC-R or fire suppression industries.
After graduating from the UA VIP program and transitioning out of the military, students will enroll in a five-year apprenticeship program with a DOL-registered UA apprenticeship program at an agreed-upon location.
UA apprentices receive competitive hourly wages while acquiring skills through classroom education and on-the-job training. During the apprenticeship program, they will quickly become eligible for comprehensive full-family health care and retirement benefits.
At the Class 28 mid-point, students have begun to pick their apprenticeship program placement.
Kyle Vargas, UA VIP student and Army Sgt. recently received confirmation he will be headed to Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 290 in Portland, Ore.
Air Force Staff Sgt. Scott Gainey will begin his five-year apprenticeship with Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 412 in Albuquerque, N.M.
Students have a lot of work left to do in the next nine weeks of the program. UA VIP students will continue to work toward industry-recognized welding certifications that will help develop various welding skills.
Apply for the UA VIP program today
UA VIP was founded in 2008 and has since helped thousands of transitioning military members transition to civilian careers in the pipe trades.
All active-duty members in their last six months of military service are encouraged to apply for the UA VIP program.
The UA VIP program is available at seven military bases with nine different programs.
- Joint Base Lewis-McChord offers training in welding and HVAC
- Camp Pendleton offers training in welding
- Fort Carson offers training in welding
- Fort Cavazos offers training in welding
- Camp Lejeune offers training in welding
- Fort Campbell offers training in welding and fire suppression
- Naval Station Norfolk offers training in HVAC
Apprentices, once they begin their five-year apprenticeship program, will earn good wages, full-family healthcare and retirement benefits, including a pension and 401K.
Apprentices will eventually top out and become experienced journeymen in their trade which opens up excellent career paths with potential for advancement in the piping industry.
Learn more about the UA VIP program on the website.
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