In honor of Memorial Day, Mike Hazard, the program manager for the United Association Veterans in Piping program, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the program and what it is doing to help military service members transition to civilian careers in the UA. Hazard also discussed the UA Pipe P.A.L.S. program recently launched by the union.
The United Association Veterans in Piping (VIP) Program is a DOD SkillBridge program for transitioning active-duty military service members. The program provides 118 days (720 hours) of accelerated training to equip transitioning active-duty service members with the skills necessary to work in the pipe trades once they have completed their military commitment. Hazard talked about how the program is able to deliver a guaranteed job and no-cost apprenticeship training in the union at no cost to the military service members enrolled. The VIP Program offers training in Fire Suppression, Pipe Fitting/Welding and Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC-R).
UA VIP has been operational for 16 years, and Hazard discussed why members of the military make excellent union construction workers. The program graduates more than 300 transitioning active-duty service members each year. Hazard expressed excitement about the program's future and can’t wait to see what this year’s graduates will accomplish next.
In conjunction with our continued coverage of Mental Health Awareness Month, Hazard also discussed the new United Association mental health program that launched earlier this month. The program is based on similar work Hazard has completed with the VIP Program. The Mental Health Assistance Program was developed with Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas, a lead mental health and suicide prevention advocate and clinical psychologist, and is aimed at helping erase the negative stigmas around mental health conversations. Hazard shared highlights of the UA Pipe P.A.L.S. Program and how the peer support will help make it easier for UA members to talk about mental health and hopefully get the assistance they need.
Listen to the show above to hear more about the UA VIP Program and the UA Pipe Pals from Hazard.
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