Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16What Are the Jobs? Welder/Pipefitter A welder works in every area of the construction industry where metals and alloys are joined. They will work with plumbers, pipefitters, sprinkler fitters, and HVACR technicians. Work will include installation, mainte- nance, and repair of all types of piping systems, as well as joining struc- tural steel brackets and supports for such systems. A welder has to work in many different environments and in all types of positions. Welders will study blueprints, drawings and specifications for the job and must measure, cut and weld using various methods and tools. HVACR Service Technician A service technician's work covers the general responsibilities for heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR). This would include the installation and maintenance of all sizes of heating and cooling systems for residential, commercial, institutional and in- dustrial applications. Some job-specific applications include complete gas piping installations, high-voltage electrical components, testing and analyzing, and startup of systems. Fire Sprinkler Fitter Sprinkler system installers, or sprinkler fitters as they are commonly known, have detailed knowledge of fire codes and the methods for in- stallation of sprinkler piping systems, and a responsibility for life safety in residential, commercial and industrial applications. They install wet, dry, pre-action, deluge, and chemical fire protection and extinguishing systems, just to name a few. As a sprinkler fitter you will install and maintain high- and low-pressure piping, equipment and devices to supply fire protection systems with water, foam, carbon dioxide, and other materials in hospitals, commer- cial buildings, manufacturing plants, homes, and in apartment buildings. Plumbing Our contractors and members are actively engaged in plumbing instal- lation, repair, service and maintenance of piping and plumbing systems and equipment used for drinking (potable) water distribution, sanitary waste drainage, storm water systems and gas distribution. Our plumbers also work on technical installations for medical gas in hospitals and nursing homes, hydronic in-floor heating, solar thermal panels, heat pumps, cross-connection control and many other systems necessary for the health and safety of the general public. Our Contractor Partners We are fortunate to have forged strong partnerships with the Mechani- cal Contractors Association of America (MCAA), Mechanical Service Contractors Association (MSCA), Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Con- tractors Association (PHCC), Plumbing Contractors of America (PCA), Pipe Fabrication Institute (PFI), and the National Fire Safety Association (NFSA). Contents CAREERops Career Opportunities in Piping for Transitioning Veterans | Fall/Winter 2015 Catching Up with VIP Graduates One Year Later 7 Throwing a Lifeline to Transitioning Soldiers 10 Camp Pendleton VIP Graduate Turns Out as Journeyman and Makes a Life in Butte, MT, with Local 41 12 Find Your Future: VIP® Programs Across the Nation 14 “The average guy who comes out of the military already knows a lot of the practical things—like getting to work on time and the impor- tance of all of those other things that go along with being a good employee.” – Mike Trapp, CEO and owner, Olson Plumbing and Heating, Colorado Springs, CO 5