The upcoming transition to civilian life was made easier for the graduates of the Naval Station Norfolk HVACR Class 16, thanks to the United Association Veterans in Piping program.
The graduates will walk into guaranteed civilian jobs through a UA registered apprenticeship where they will earn good pay, quality healthcare for their families and even start participating in a retirement program.
The UA VIP program is a Career Skills Program (CSP) for transitioning active-duty service members. It provides guaranteed job placement for graduates after the military.
Over the course of 18-weeks, the students trained alongside experienced journeyman instructors and learned the basics of installing, repairing and maintaining heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration systems through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on experience.
The students became eligible to apply to the UA VIP program during their last 18 months of service commitment. Training takes place at select military bases throughout the country and is considered part of each student’s military enlistment period.
The UA VIP program offers training in welding, HVACR and fire sprinkler fitting.
A direct path to a UA apprenticeship
Once the UA VIP graduates transition out of the military, they will join a UA registered apprenticeship at an agreed upon location.
The graduates from Class 16 plan to join UA unions in Akron, Ohio; Dallas and Salt Lake City.
During their apprenticeship, they will earn a livable union wage and quickly be eligible for quality healthcare benefits for their families. They will start earning a 401K and a pension for their retirement.
As they progress through their training, they will earn steady pay raises. After completion of the apprenticeship, they become journeymen with numerous opportunities for career advancement. Some will go on to own their own businesses, land jobs as foremen or become UA VIP instructors.
The UA VIP program prepares transitioning active-duty members of the military for good paying civilian careers.
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