<< Previous   of   Next >> Contributed photo  (click to enlarge) The Veterans in Piping training program gives military veterans high-demand skills as welders. (click to enlarge) Brandon Thomas

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Learn more about the Veterans in Piping welding apprenticeship program at www.uavip.org.

CONTACT SCBJ Kurt Batdorf, Editor kbatdorf@scbj.com

Returning veterans retrained as welders

By M.L. Dehm
SCBJ Writer

Some of the biggest challenges faced by U.S. military personnel aren't created by the enemy. They are found back at home.

In this period of high unemployment, many war veterans find there are no jobs waiting for them when they return from their tour of duty. When jobs do become available the competition is fierce.

Worse, unemployment rates for the young returning veterans can be three times as high as that of nonveterans in the same age group, according to retired Maj. Gen. Matt Caufield.

The reason is clear. These young soldiers were recruited prior to learning a trade or skill. Military service only prepared them for the challenges they would face in combat and not for entering a civilian work force.

A unique program from the United Association of Plumbers, Pipefitters and Sprinklerfitters (UA) is trying to overcome that challenge. The UA has partnered with the U.S. military to create the Veterans in Piping program.

“It allowed my entrance in the work force where I'm learning and earning a livable union wage,” said U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. Brandon Thomas, an Iraq war veteran.

Thomas and more than 1,000 fellow veterans have benefited from the free program that offers valuable job skills to those coming out of the service.

Similar to the existing Helmets to Hardhats program that provides former military personnel with information about construction careers, the Veterans in Piping program takes training a step further.

In addition to the 16 weeks of accelerated welding and related training, there is a transitional component to help the returning military personnel to adjust to civilian life and know what to expect from their new career.

For the young veteran who has little experience working in a civilian job and who is used to giving or receiving orders, this can be vital towards future success and a good relationship with co-workers.

Thomas described his own experience.

“Working with the crew is very informal — first-name basis — but like the Army I'm surrounded by other craftsmen and women from different walks of life with endless craft knowledge,” he said.

“I'm always encouraged to further develop my craftsmanship and develop a clean functional application in a timely manner as these are some skills that separate union from nonunion labor on so many fronts.”

The Veterans in Piping program could not come at a better time. Welders are currently in high demand nationwide. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that 450,000 welders will be needed nationwide by 2014.

Part of the reason is that the majority of current welders are baby boomers just now hitting retirement age. Studies suggest that as these boomers continue to retire, demand for experienced replacement workers will skyrocket.

Because of this, a young trained graduate of the Veterans in Piping program can look forward to a long-term, lucrative civilian career.

In order to apply to the Veterans in Piping program, veterans need to have had an honorable discharge, a high school diploma or equivalent, pass a drug test, conduct an interview and be physically fit to perform work.

After training, Veterans in Piping graduates can become union apprentices. Apprenticeship training and instruction, which is paid on-the-job, lasts about four to five years, then a graduate can become a journeyman.

Sometimes veterans can use credit from their military experience to enter their apprenticeship at an advanced level.

United Association apprenticeships include the fields of plumbing, pipefitting, sprinklerfitting, HVAC servicing and welding.

Graduates find careers with contractors all over the country. The veteran UA member usually finds himself in a good career with a higher wage level and better benefits than with a nonunion job without the training.

It's also a winning situation for the contractors who employ these veterans. They receive an employee with military leadership and discipline skills as well as a good welder.

There is also the knowledge that the company is supporting those who have served the country.

For Thomas, an additional feeling of satisfaction came with his Veterans in Piping experience.

“Currently I'm working with University Mechanical Contractors on Fort Lewis,” Thomas said.

“We are installing comfort heating into soldier barracks. As an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran and current Army Reservist, I'm excited to be apart of improving the living conditions of the soldiers of For Lewis as it is well-deserved.”

Thomas credits United Association General President Bill Hite, Local 26, UA special representative for training Anne St. Eloi and others for his success in the program.