--- title: UA VIP instructor talks about the program on national pro-union podcast description: Rachel Lablance joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about being the first female UA VIP instructor and what helped her get there. image: https://www.uavip.org/hubfs/Rachel%20Leblance%20-%20UA%20VIP%20Welding%20Class%205%2c%20Camp%20Lejeune%20(1).jpg --- [![United Association Veterans In Piping Program logo](https://www.uavip.org/hubfs/uavip-seventeen/logos/uavip-logo.svg "United Association Veterans In Piping Program logo")](https://www.uavip.org/) UNITED ASSOCIATION VETERANS IN PIPING PROGRAM [![Union Plumbers, Fitters, Welders and Service Technicians logo](https://www.uavip.org/hs-fs/hubfs/uavip-seventeen/logos/ua-logo-round-w-text-wt.png?width=798&height=798&name=ua-logo-round-w-text-wt.png "Union Plumbers, Fitters, Welders and Service Technicians logo")](https://www.ua.org/) Union Plumbers, Fitters, Welders and Service Technicians [Ë](https://www.uavip.org/news-happenings/ua-vip-instructor-talks-about-the-program-on-national-pro-union-podcast#mobile) ## NEWS AND HAPPENINGS WITH VIP Take a look at some of the newsworthy items for the VIP program. # UA VIP instructor talks about the program on national pro-union podcast - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [ UA Veterans in Piping ](https://www.uavip.org/news-happenings/author/ua-veterans-in-piping-vip) ###### Apr 10, 2024 4:35:57 PM ![](https://www.uavip.org/hubfs/Rachel%20Leblance%20-%20UA%20VIP%20Welding%20Class%205%2c%20Camp%20Lejeune%20(1).jpg) Rachel Lablance, the first female instructor in the United Associations Veterans In Piping (UA VIP) program, recently appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about her experience in the program.  Growing up, Lablance knew she wanted a career that wouldn’t force her to live paycheck to paycheck. She joined the U.S. Marine Corps once she graduated from high school.  Lablance liked working with her hands and was always interested in mechanics. She became an aircraft mechanic in the military, which first exposed her to welding.  When Lablance decided she was ready to transition out of the military, she came across a flyer for the UA VIP program and saw it offered free welding training and guaranteed job placement. She knew it would be perfect for her. ![Rachel Leblance - UA VIP Welding Class 5, Camp Lejeune (1)](https://www.uavip.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Rachel%20Leblance%20-%20UA%20VIP%20Welding%20Class%205%2c%20Camp%20Lejeune%20(1).jpg?width=242&height=323&name=Rachel%20Leblance%20-%20UA%20VIP%20Welding%20Class%205%2c%20Camp%20Lejeune%20(1).jpg) “By the time I left the military, I had two kids and I knew it was time for me to stay in one place and be a mom,” Lablance said.  The UA VIP program was created to help active-duty military members smoothly transition back into civilian life by offering free training and guaranteed job placement. While in the program, students will learn basic skills in welding, HVAC-R or fire suppression.  During her March 25 appearance on the national pro-union podcast, Lablance told AWF host Ed “Flash” Ferenc that because she already had experience welding, she was able to earn eight welding certifications during the 17 weeks of UA VIP training.  After she graduated from the UA VIP program, she moved to southern Illinois where she completed her UA apprenticeship with [Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 101](https://ualocal101.org/), and worked for eight years.  “They kept me working which helped me learn the trade,” Lablance said. “The eight years of welding experience from the Marines helped me too.” ## From VIP student to VIP instructor    Mike Hazard, VIP Program Manager, reached out to Lablance with an opportunity that would change her life. Hazard asked Lablance if she would become an instructor at Camp Lejeune, the same base where she completed the UA VIP program.  Lablance packed her things and moved back to North Carolina, where she became the first female UA VIP instructor in the history of the program.  “The transition of becoming the first female instructor wasn’t difficult,” Lablance said. “In the military, you have Brotherhood and Sisterhood and in the UA you have the same thing.” Lablance added that as long as you focus on the job, you know what needs to get done and you have the ability and knowledge to do the job, being a female doesn’t really change anything. In the classroom, some of the students didn’t take her seriously at first, but as soon as she struck a rod up or showed them TIG welding they quickly realized she knew what she was doing.  “Sometimes I had to prove myself a little, but that’s perfectly fine,” Lablance said.  ![Rachel LaBlance](https://www.uavip.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Rachel%20LaBlance.jpg?width=291&height=436&name=Rachel%20LaBlance.jpg)Lablance has been an instructor for about a year and has yet to have a female VIP student in her class.  “I really hope we will get another female soon, I’m really looking forward to that,” she said.  A couple of weeks ago, Camp Lejeune Welding Class 25 graduated, and a new class will begin on April 8.  Lablance told Ferenc how the first week of class includes teaching OSHA safety and welding basics. Then, they’ll go over safety with hand tools and work their way to using the torch. Eventually, students make their way to the shop where the hands-on training begins. Going into her second year as an instructor, Lablance looks back on her time in the UA VIP program and appreciates the opportunities it has provided her.   “To anyone out there listening, if you have the ability to apply for the VIP program as an active-duty member, please look into the program, do your research, get on the VIP website and check it out. The program changed my life and I am so happy with the decision I ended up making,” Lablance said.   Listen to the full interview [here.](https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=pi542-15c0c77-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=1&fonts=Arial&skin=1b1b1b&font-color=ffffff&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=3267a3)    [Camp Lejeune](https://www.uavip.org/news-happenings/topic/camp-lejeune)  |   [Success Stories](https://www.uavip.org/news-happenings/topic/success-stories)  |   [UA VIP Graduate](https://www.uavip.org/news-happenings/topic/ua-vip-graduate)  |   [UA VIP Program](https://www.uavip.org/news-happenings/topic/ua-vip-program)  |   [Rachel Lablance](https://www.uavip.org/news-happenings/topic/rachel-lablance)  |   [Female instructor](https://www.uavip.org/news-happenings/topic/female-instructor) ##### Comments ## faq FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS We’re sure you have lots of questions about the VIP Program. A lot of these questions can be answered in our FAQ area. Click the button below to learn more. [faq](https://www.uavip.org/faq) ## Video and Photo Gallery Take a [look](https://www.uavip.org/media-gallery) at everything the VIP program is doing for our returning veterans — through videos and photos. ![VIP Graduate David Adams](https://www.uavip.org/hubfs/images/VIP_Graduate_David_Adams_sm.jpg "VIP Graduate David Adams") ![VIP Graduate David Adams](https://www.uavip.org/hs-fs/hubfs/images/VIP_Graduate_David_Adams_sm-large.jpg?width=153&height=217&name=VIP_Graduate_David_Adams_sm-large.jpg "VIP Graduate David Adams") Pipefitters Local 455, St. Paul, MN, Apprentice David Adams (VIP graduate, Wisconsin Welding Class 2) is pictured on the job working for Pioneer Piping, Incorporated (PPI) at the Flint Hills Refinery in MN. ![Camp Pendleton](https://www.uavip.org/hubfs/images/Joe_Miller_Butte_MT_2.jpg "Camp Pendleton") ![Camp Pendleton](https://www.uavip.org/hs-fs/hubfs/images/Joe_Miller_Butte_MT_2-large.jpg?width=153&height=217&name=Joe_Miller_Butte_MT_2-large.jpg "Camp Pendleton") Camp Pendleton VIP Graduate turned out as Journeyman and makes a life in Butte, MT, with Local 41. ![Orry graduated](https://www.uavip.org/hubfs/images/Orry_Camp_Lejeune_02.jpg "Orry graduated") ![Orry graduated](https://www.uavip.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Photo_Gallery_/Orry_Camp_Lejeune_02_large.jpg?width=153&height=217&name=Orry_Camp_Lejeune_02_large.jpg "Orry graduated") Orry graduated on April 9, 2015 and affiliated with UA Local 455, St. Paul, MN. ![Jerry Heneha](https://www.uavip.org/hubfs/images/Jerry_FT_Sill_Class_01.jpg "Jerry Heneha") ![Jerry Heneha](https://www.uavip.org/hs-fs/hubfs/images/Jerry_FT_Sill_Class_01-large-1.jpg?width=217&height=153&name=Jerry_FT_Sill_Class_01-large-1.jpg "Jerry Heneha") Sgt. Jerry Heneha, A Battery, 1st Battalion, 31st Field Artillery, puts together a valve system in preparation for his final week of the United Association's Veterans in Piping program at the Industrial Training Complex Photo Credit: Ms. Marie Berberea (TRADOC) ![inaugural Sprinkler](https://www.uavip.org/hubfs/images/Fort_Sill_Class_01_800x600.jpg "inaugural Sprinkler") ![inaugural Sprinkler](https://www.uavip.org/hs-fs/hubfs/images/Fort_Sill_Class_01_800x600-large.jpg?width=217&height=169&name=Fort_Sill_Class_01_800x600-large.jpg "inaugural Sprinkler") Fort Sill's inaugural Sprinkler Fitter class began on 2 March 2015. ![SFC Michael Olsen](https://www.uavip.org/hubfs/images/VIP15FtHood-_104.jpg "SFC Michael Olsen") ![SFC Michael Olsen](https://www.uavip.org/hs-fs/hubfs/images/VIP15FtHood-_104-large.jpg?width=217&height=153&name=VIP15FtHood-_104-large.jpg "SFC Michael Olsen") SFC Michael Olsen and 1SG William Davidson presented their instructors Louis Purcella and Micah Tyler with a momentum from the class. ![SGT Howard Nash](https://www.uavip.org/hubfs/images/VIP15FtHood-_055.jpg "SGT Howard Nash") ![SGT Howard Nash](https://www.uavip.org/hs-fs/hubfs/images/VIP15FtHood-_055-large.jpg?width=217&height=153&name=VIP15FtHood-_055-large.jpg "SGT Howard Nash") SGT Howard Nash is headed to Harrisburg, PA, to affiliate with Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 520. ![Gail Pilecki](https://www.uavip.org/hubfs/images/VIP15FtHood-_038.jpg "Gail Pilecki") ![Gail Pilecki](https://www.uavip.org/hs-fs/hubfs/images/VIP15FtHood-_038-large.jpg?width=153&height=217&name=VIP15FtHood-_038-large.jpg "Gail Pilecki") Gail Pilecki was so proud of her son, SGT Jeremy Pilecki, on graduation day. SGT Pilecki will make his home in Houston, affiliating with Pipefitters Local 211. ![William Davidson](https://www.uavip.org/hubfs/images/VIP15FtHood-_017.jpg "William Davidson") ![William Davidson](https://www.uavip.org/hs-fs/hubfs/images/VIP15FtHood-_017-large.jpg?width=217&height=153&name=VIP15FtHood-_017-large.jpg "William Davidson") 1SG William Davidson gave the graduate testimonial. He will remain with his family in Waco, TX, affiliating with Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 529 in Waco, TX. ![Michael Olsen](https://www.uavip.org/hubfs/Photo_Gallery_/VIP15FtHood-_077_sm.jpg "Michael Olsen") ![Michael Olsen](https://www.uavip.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Photo_Gallery_/VIP15FtHood-_077_large.jpg?width=153&height=217&name=VIP15FtHood-_077_large.jpg "Michael Olsen") SFC Michael Olsen and his wife, Amanda, will remain in the area, affiliating with Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 529 in Waco, TX. ![SPC Chad Eberle](https://www.uavip.org/hubfs/Photo_Gallery_/VIP15FtHood-_032_sm.jpg "SPC Chad Eberle") ![SPC Chad Eberle](https://www.uavip.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Photo_Gallery_/VIP15FtHood-_032_large.jpg?width=153&height=217&name=VIP15FtHood-_032_large.jpg "SPC Chad Eberle") Alysa and SPC Chad Eberle will be heading to San Antonio, TX, with Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 142. ![SGT Lawrence Beller](https://www.uavip.org/hubfs/Photo_Gallery_/VIP15FtHood-_070_sm.jpg "SGT Lawrence Beller") ![SGT Lawrence Beller](https://www.uavip.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Photo_Gallery_/VIP15FtHood-_070_large.jpg?width=153&height=217&name=VIP15FtHood-_070_large.jpg "SGT Lawrence Beller") SGT Lawrence Beller, his wife, Brittney, and daughter, Nahla, will be making Houston, TX, their home, affiliating with Pipefitters Local 211. Mouse over thumbnails to view larger videos and photos or view entire [Gallery](https://www.uavip.org/media-gallery). ## News & Happenings ##### [More News & Happenings](https://www.uavip.org/news-happenings) ## faq FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS We’re sure you have lots of questions about the VIP Program. A lot of these questions can be answered in our FAQ area. Click the button below to learn more. [faq](https://www.uavip.org/faq) --- ## Video and Photo Gallery Take a [look](https://www-uavip-org.sandbox.hs-sites.com/media-gallery) at everything the VIP program is doing for our returning veterans — through videos and photos. [Gallery](https://www.uavip.org/media-gallery) --- ## News & Happenings [News](https://www.uavip.org/news-happenings)