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The United Association Veterans in Piping (VIP) Program proudly announces the graduation of eight active-duty military service members from the UA VIP Joint Base Lewis-McChord HVAC-R Class 13.
HVAC-R Class 13 was made up of seven active-duty Soldiers and one active-duty Airman. Upon graduation from this 18-week career skills program and following their successful transition out of the military, each UA VIP graduate is guaranteed a job in the pipe trades industry with a UA signatory contractor in an agreed upon geographical location. These in-demand jobs, which cannot be outsourced, provide UA VIP graduates with a livable wage and good benefits.
“Your selfless service as Soldiers and Airmen and veterans of the United States armed forces has improved the security and quality of life for all of us,” said UA VIP Administrator Mike Hazard. “Your future work in the trade will continue to impact us all through your contributions to rebuild our nation’s infrastructure. We wish you all the best of luck and I am honored to be here celebrating this milestone with you.”
“HVAC-R class 13 is very excited to start a new career in the United Association,” said JBLM HVAC-R Instructor Dave Gibson. “They will be placed across the U.S into Locals in Washington, Oregon, California, Missouri, Maryland and Pennsylvania. The class caught on quickly and completed all certification. They are eager to learn more on the job and in their apprenticeship training.”
During the April 12 graduation ceremony, featured speakers included the Honorable Jay Inslee, Governor of Washington State; Colonel Nicole Lucas, JBLM Garrison Commander; and Army Major General (Ret). Andy Aadland.
Speaking on behalf of HVAC-R 13 was Sergeant First Class James Brown, who served in the U.S. Army for over 20 years as a Counterintelligence Special Agent. He was deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as an Infantryman and twice in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Resolute Support as a Counterintelligence Special Agent.
Upon successful completion of the UA VIP Program, active-duty service members begin to transition back to civilian life without the stress of starting a job search. The UA VIP Program is proud to help ease the stress faced by transitioning military service members, who often struggle to find a job to in order to provide for their family.
Open to active-duty service members of all branches of the armed forces who are preparing to transition out of the military, the UA VIP Program is free on eight military bases across the country. Those who successfully complete the program and transition out of the military are guaranteed a job and placed into an apprenticeship with a UA Local in an agreed upon geographical location.
The UA VIP Program helps active-duty military service members prepare to enter the United Association’s five-year apprenticeship program at an agreed upon UA Local with an apprenticeship training center practically anywhere in the nation. Apprentices receive classroom and on-the-job training, where they will earn additional industry-recognized certifications and undergo mandatory safety training to keep them safe on the jobsite, as they work toward becoming a journeyman.
For more information on this program, including participating bases, visit www.uavip.org.
The UA VIP Program currently operates nine programs at eight different military bases throughout the country. This program serves active-duty military service members of the U.S. armed forces who are planning to transition from their military service. The UA VIP Program is free of charge to participants who receive career training in one of three pipe trades: welding, fire protection or HVAC-R.
The UA VIP Program is meant to help decrease the number of military members that are unemployed after the service and also reduce the manpower shortage in the construction industry. The shortage is a combination of the effects of an aging workforce, increased demand for workers and the lack of skill training for our youth.
Release ID: 340164