Former Marine Sgt. Marshall Lord joined the United Association Veterans in Piping Program to prepare for his transition out of the military to ensure a stress-free transition to a civilian career in the pipefitting industry.
The UA VIP program is a DOD Skillbridge Program that teaches transitioning active-duty military service members the skills necessary to begin their careers in the pipe trades.
Now a 4th-year apprentice, Lord is thankful for the valuable skills the VIP program has provided him and believes the program prepared him for a long career with a UA-affiliated Local Union.
“The VIP program provided a challenging and exciting opportunity for me to pursue my love for working with my hands into a rewarding and stable career in the pipefitting industry,” Lord said. “The VIP program provided hands-on training and dedicated instructors that gave me the skillset and confidence to pursue my long-term professional ambitions.”
Lord transitioned out of the military in 2021 after completing his accelerated HVAC-R training at Naval Station Norfolk where he was trained by experienced journeyman instructors. Between learning in a classroom and hands-on training, Lord was able to obtain valuable HVACR skills and earned multiple certifications.
The UA VIP program stood out to Lord because it not only provided the training and education needed to excel, but he also believes the benefits such as immediate career placement, career advancement opportunities and continued support from previous instructors and classmates were unmatched. 
After relocating to Illinois and joining Steamfitters Local 353 in Peoria, Lord began working right away. He is currently working for Warner Mechanical.
Since graduating from the VIP program, he has worked on repairing, replacing and maintaining HVACR equipment as a service technician. Additionally, he has also worked as an industrial pipefitter replacing boilers, chillers, cooling towers and other complex piping systems.
“I would tell any active-duty transitioning service member who is thinking about applying for the VIP program that the reward is worth the challenge and that this program provides top-tier education, training and career development that makes a positive, long-lasting impact,” Lord said.
How the VIP program can improve your life
Upon completion of the VIP program and transition out of the military, VIP graduates receive direct entry into a DOL-registered UA apprenticeship program. During the 5-year apprenticeship program, they will start earning good union wages and quickly become eligible for quality healthcare for themselves as well as their families.
Lord recommends the VIP program to any transitioning active-duty service member looking for a rewarding career when they leave the military.
The UA VIP program offers career training in welding, HVACR, and fire suppression where students will learn basic skills in their desired trade to prepare them for their future careers.
Any transitioning active-duty service member who is interested in learning more about the UA VIP program is encouraged to learn more on the UA VIP website.
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