A class of service members at the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in California graduated into new careers in the construction industry, completing the United Association's Veterans In Piping (VIP) program.

The VIP is a 720-hour training course, developed to assist members of the military in transitioning to civilian life and careers after their successful military service. Camp Pendleton's participants in the program will graduate as second-year union apprentices.

United Association has outfitted two mobile training units where the graduates received 16 weeks of accelerated welding instruction, including two weeks of career and lifestyle transitioning.