Members of the United Association Veterans in Piping Program (UA VIP) Camp Lejeune Welding Class 10 celebrated their recent graduation with an Open House, where they showed off their welding skills to family and special guests.
On May 31, 16 transitioning active-duty Marines from Camp Lejeune, graduated from the UA VIP 18-week accelerated welding program. VIP provides high quality skills training and jobs in the pipe trades industry to active-duty military service members who are preparing to leave the service. These Marines will now transition out of the military, report to their local unions in their desired locations nationwide and begin the UA apprenticeship program, as well as begin working as soon as possible.
“I am extremely proud of the way this class worked up to the last day,” said Camp Lejeune UA VIP Instructor Dave Porter. “The students in most of our classes separate out along the learning curve somewhere around week 6-8, but this class moved from benchmark to benchmark as a group for the most part. It was very interesting to see.”
This was the 10th UA VIP welding class to commence at Camp Lejeune. Throughout the past 18-weeks these 16 Marines learned basic welding skills and earned industry recognized certifications, which will be put to use once they begin the UA apprenticeship program at their prospective locals. UA VIP graduates are guaranteed job placement with a UA signatory contractor in an agreed upon geographical area, easing the burden of seeking employment and closing the gap of unemployment during the transition from the military.
In addition to being guaranteed a job, UA VIP graduates enter a five-year UA apprenticeship program with a UA Local in their designated geographical area. During their apprenticeship, they will receive a mixture of on-the-job training and classroom instruction to further their skill set in the pipe trades and earn additional industry-leading certifications. As they progress, apprentices receive standard wage increases that reflect the value of their increased skillset. Apprentices can also earn college credit throughout the apprenticeship program.
Transitioning from the service to civilian life can present a number of challenges for service members, including the struggle to find good-paying jobs to provide for their families. With guaranteed employment, UA VIP graduates are able to focus on making a smoother and less stressful transition from the military.
The skills and certifications earned by UA VIP participants at Camp Lejeune and seven other bases throughout the country are in high-demand, as there is an increasing need for skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the pipe trades. As the Baby Boomer generation hangs up their hardhats, there is a greater need for highly trained and highly skilled welders, pipefitters, sprinkler fitters, plumbers and HVAC-R service technicians.
UA signatory contractors who hire UA VIP graduates are not just gaining an employee with the skills and certifications to do the work, but someone who understands how to work under pressure, understands the importance of showing up on-time, every day and someone who is willing to listen to their superiors.
Transitioning military service members can apply for this accelerated 18-week program that includes classroom and hands-on skills instruction, which is provided free of cost on eight military bases across the country.
Click here to submit your information in order to learn more about the Camp Lejeune UA VIP Welding Program.
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