UA VIP Camp Lejeune Welding Class 30 Members Graduate

The students in the United Association Veterans in Piping (UA VIP) Program recently graduated from Camp Lejeune Welding Class 30, and once they transition out of the military, they will begin their 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 schedule, the members of Class 30 learned the basic welding skills, taught by welding instructors Greg Abrams and Rachel Lablance through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on training.

Where Our Graduates Are Going

Thanks to UA VIP, graduates are guaranteed employment upon leaving the military and still have their G.I. Bill benefits. They have direct entry into a DOL-registered UA apprenticeship.

Working with program administrators, Class 30 graduates agree on the geographic area where they will begin their civilian careers.

Once they transition out of the military, Camp Lejeune Welding Class 30 graduates will head to the following areas/Locals:

• Scranton, Pa. — UA Local 524
• Washington, DC — Steamfitters Local 602
• Oklahoma City, Okla. — Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 344
• Atlanta — UA Local 72
• Detroit — Pipefitters Local 636
• Boston — Pipefitters Local 537
• Knoxville, Tenn. – UA Local 102

A Proven Pathway: UA Veterans in Piping (VIP)

For active-duty transitioning military service members, the UA VIP Program is a gold-standard career training initiative.

The program provides an intensive 118-day, 720-hour curriculum that allows students to develop in-demand pipe trades skills in one of the following industries: fire suppression, welding or HVACR. During the training, participants have the opportunity to obtain industry-recognized certifications and train in an environment built on safety and professionalism.

The men and women who successfully complete the UA VIP Program will enter UA’s apprenticeship program and reap the benefits of the Earn While You Learn model. This means apprentices receive good wages as they work for a signatory contractor and receive additional classroom instruction to help them complete the apprenticeship and become a journeyman in their respective craft – all without taking on student debt.

Additionally, as apprentices, they will quickly earn full-family health insurance and excellent retirement benefits.

Congratulations, Camp Lejeune Class 30 Members

For members of Welding Class 30, while graduation from the UA VIP Program marks the completion of one phase of their life, it also signals the beginning of what comes next. Welding Class 30 members proved they could quickly learn the skills needed to work in the pipe trades.

Congratulations to the members of Camp Lejeune Welding Class 30. The UA family is proud of your accomplishment.

Interested in the UA VIP Program at Camp Lejeune? Visit uavip.org/lejeune to learn more about training opportunities for transitioning service members at Camp Lejeune.