Naval Station Norfolk HVACR Class 25 students are officially halfway through their accelerated training.
During their time in the UA VIP program, Class 25 students learn the fundamentals of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration through hands-on training and classroom instruction.
Adjusting to a classroom after years in the U.S. Marine Corps can be challenging, but for Lance Cpl. Angel Murillo, the transition has been positive.
“VIP has been an amazing experience,” Murillo said. “The things offered through the UA VIP program are remarkable, like giving transitioning service members the opportunity of a lifetime. The instructor is amazing and relates to us. Graduating with a guaranteed job is a huge relief.”
Guaranteed job placement is more than just a promise, it’s a pathway to a stable, well-paying civilian career. For many in Class 25, like Murillo, it’s a key reason they chose the UA VIP program over other SkillBridge programs.
Murillo discovered the UA VIP program through a friend who participated in the program when they transitioned out of the military.
“Hearing from friends who used the program when they were transitioning and how it helped them greatly to be ready again for the civilian world was a no-brainer for me,” he said.
Class 25 students will relocate to various parts of California, Oregon and Washington D.C. to begin their UA apprenticeships after they graduate and transition out of the military.
What’s next for Class 25
UA VIP is a DOD SkillBridge program, created to help active-duty service members transition from the military to civilian life with minimal stress.
During the second half of their on-base training, Class 25 students will have the opportunity to earn industry-recognized certifications before they graduate on Sept. 4.
While working as apprentices, Class 25 graduates will receive competitive hourly wages while advancing their skills through classroom education and on-the-job training. During their apprenticeship, they will quickly become eligible for comprehensive full-family healthcare and retirement benefits.
Apprentices will eventually top out and become experienced journeymen in their trade, opening up excellent career paths with potential for advancement in the piping industry.
All transitioning service members who are unsure where they will work after leaving the military are encouraged to apply for the UA VIP program today.
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