Photo By Cpl. Karina Lopezmata | Marines and students in the United Association (UA) Veterans In Piping (VIP) Program,...... read more read more
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You have made the decision to leave the military, now it’s time to make the most of it. Transitioning from active duty to civilian life can be a long and difficult journey. It is a big change, but like most things, a little planning can go a long way. As a service member, you have proven your commitment, discipline and resourcefulness. The task now is making sure those military accomplishments look their best on a civilian resume and transcript.
The United Association (UA) established the UA Veterans In Piping (VIP) Program in 2008 to offer high-quality skills training and jobs in the pipe trades to active duty military personnel preparing to leave the service. The transition program consists of 18-weeks of accelerated training in highly marketable skills such as welding, fire sprinkler fitting and heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC-R).
“I didn’t have any welding experience at all until I came here (VIP program),” said Sgt. John Coe, a tank mechanic with Combat Logistics Battalion 24 (CLB-24). “They taught me how to weld and I learned about several things that go along with welding.”
The UA VIP Program gives an opportunity for transitioning military to move into a career where they can support their family. VIP participants earn industry-recognized certifications and a direct entry into secure private-sector jobs with good pay and benefits.
“We do all this at absolutely no cost to the military or the participant,” said David Porter, the VIP instructor for Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. “We don’t ask for any reimbursement, GI bills or anything like that. We just need good people in our training.”
¬¬The UA VIP Program is only available to active duty military personnel and a UA VIP Program inquiry form must be filled out and signed off at battalion level, authorizing permission. As long as the requirements are met and signed off, an interview is granted to anyone who has turned in the packet. The form must be turned in 30 to 90 days before the start of the next class.
“It is a competitive program to get into,” Porter said. “We normally have about 25 to 30 applicants for the 16 slots, but I don’t want that to deter anyone from applying. We select the 16 we feel are best fit for the program and it is not based on rank.”
“I benefitted by learning skills I have never used before and a guaranteed job in the civilian side,” Coe said. “It was worth it.”
The Marine Corps trained Coe to protect his country, and with the VIP program training he can build it.
For more information about the UA VIP, visit their website www.uavip.org or call the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune office at (910) 451-9679.
| Date Taken: | 03.18.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 03.20.2019 09:58 |
| Story ID: | 314863 |
| Location: | CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 50 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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