Students in the United Association Veterans in Piping (UA VIP) Camp Pendleton Welding Class 43 are halfway through their advanced training.
The UA VIP program is a DOD SKillBridge program, created to assist active-duty service members as they transition out of the military and into rewarding civilian careers in the pipe trades.
With roughly 60 days left, Class 43 students have an understanding of the fundamentals of welding. They are learning from experienced journeyman instructors through hands-on training and classroom instruction.
Marine Cpl. Nick Daniels has adjusted to being in a classroom and said he has a lot to learn but the instructors help you understand new material fairly quickly.
After seeing a flyer for the UA VIP program in the gym, he knew it would be a good fit for him because he likes to work with his hands.
Daniels added that the UA VIP program stood out against other SkillBridge programs.
“The head instructor continuously reached out to me and answered my questions as soon as possible and other programs didn’t seem to care as much,” he said.
Daniels is eager to turn his new knowledge into a full-time career and continue to perfect the trade.
“Joining the UA VIP program is the right way to go and you’ll learn more than you could ever imagine,” Daniels said.
Daniels will begin his apprenticeship with Steamfitters Local 420 in Philadelphia, Pa.
Marine Cpl. Anthony Ramos has also adjusted well to being in a classroom and enjoys the program's structure.
“I love being in a classroom setting,” Ramos said. “I like the instructors showing us how to do something and then we immediately do it ourselves while the instructor walks around giving out knowledge and tweaking our practice. I believe it’s really beneficial to get hands-on rather than learning from a book.”
Ramos heard about the UA VIP program from a friend. He described the training as “excellent.”
“The instructors seem to have massive amounts of knowledge even beyond welding,” he said. “I’ve started to learn math that I was once horrible at. This is the greatest program I’ve ever been a part of.”
Ramos decided to join the UA VIP program because he wanted to join a union because of the good pay and benefits that unions offer.
“The UA VIP program stood out from other programs because Jason (Culkin) made it easy to join the program by helping me every step of the way and giving me advice,” Ramos said. “That was the key to me being in this program.”
After graduating and transitioning out of the military, Ramos will begin his UA apprenticeship at Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 364 in California.
Join the UA VIP program
Active-duty military members in their last six months of service are encouraged to apply for the UA VIP program and begin training in welding, HVACR or fire suppression.
The UA VIP program is offered at the following military installations:
- Joint Base Lewis-McChord
- Camp Pendleton
- Fort Carson
- Fort Cavazos
- Camp Lejeune
- Fort Campbell
- Naval Station Norfolk
After Welding Class 43 students graduate from the UA VIP program and transition out of the military, they will join a UA-registered apprenticeship program and begin working for a UA signatory contractor.
While working as apprentices, Welding Class 43 graduates will earn a livable wage and qualify for full-family medical benefits and retirement benefits, including a 401K and pension.
If you or someone you know is a transitioning active-duty service member in your last six months of service and seeking guaranteed job security, apply for the UA VIP program today.
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