JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. – JBLM will celebrate the graduation of its first Soldiers from the Veterans In Piping (VIP) Welding program during a ceremony May 23 at 2 p.m., at the Southwest Washington Pipe Trades, Local 26, 8501 Zenith Court NE, Lacey, Wash.

The ceremony will recognize 14 active duty Soldiers from JBLM and four Army National Guard Soldiers from Camp Murray who have completed 18 weeks of free pre-apprenticeship training in welding from the United Association of Apprentices and Journeymen of the Plumbing, Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States, Canada and Australia (UA at www.uavip.org).

The UA and JBLM Army Continuing Education System (ACES) have partnered to offer the UA VIP program to transitioning active duty Service members from JBLM in the pipe trades of welding and heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR).

Graduation ceremony Keynote addresses will be provided by Washington State Governor Jay Inslee; Washington’s 10th District Congressmen, Denny Heck (via Skype); and the JBLM Joint Base Commander, Col. H. Charles Hodges, Jr.

MEDIA AVAILABILITY:  Media interested in attending the ceremony can RSVP by calling the JBLM Public Affairs Office at (253) 967-0152.

Background:  Originally launched with the United States Marine Corp at Camp Pendleton, Calif. and with veterans nation-wide, the VIP program was redesigned for JBLM to augment transition from active-duty under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act to Hire Heroes.  The JBLM Welding-1 class began 15 Jan. with 14 active duty (and four Army National Guard) Soldiers transitioning from the military.  Active duty Soldiers use permissive temporary-duty while enrolled in the program which becomes their place of duty for the remainder of their time in the active component.

After the 18-week pre-apprenticeship VIP program, these Soldiers will be placed directly into apprenticeship careers up to one year ahead of their civilian counterparts.  The UA guarantees a direct-hand off into its nationally recognized apprenticeship program at any of its 300 unions nation-wide promising a living wage, guaranteed job training, full health and retirement benefits and a promising career in the piping industry.  VIP graduate-apprentices are paid approximately 60% of journeypersons in their skilled trade for the geographic area where they work, with regular salary increases until journey-level status is obtained.

In addition, Veterans In Piping graduates earn college credit for the training, and upon completion of their 4-year apprenticeship have an opportunity to earn additional college credits toward an Associate’s Degree, at no cost.  The UA VIP program targets active duty military to bridge the gap between transitioning from military service directly into skilled-trade employment.  Through the intensive UA VIP training, these JBLM Service members have built upon their advanced military training and experience and used the training to further develop their skills for high demand trades nationwide. The JBLM UA VIP Pilot Program helps fill a nationwide need for skilled labor in the workforce and provides a positive re-entry into civilian life with long-term, lucrative careers for those who have served their country.