b'PipefitterGoing through the pipetter/welder ap-prenticeship requires going to school at the union hall as wellKyle Lamonas working in the eld. At Local 43,has a baby boy on the way, and he is grateful his fi- rison, and Matt Johnson, our business agent, have ance does not have to work while she is pregnant.been so helpful. Kyle stated that his leadership at school occurs twoGoing through the pipefitter/welder appren- the local union has been very supportive of issues ticeship requires going to school at the union hallthat he has had dealing with anxiety and sleep days a week for sixas well as working in the field. At Local 43, schoolchallenges associated with PTSD. In the end, he hours, and the restoccurs two days a week for six hours, and the restfeels that this environment has been the very best of the time youre out earning money, Kyle said.for him. of the time youreHe continued, Because the VIP program givesThis job is very self-rewarding, Kyle con-you credit for one year of the apprenticeship pro- cluded, and if I mess up, its my fault. When you out earning money.gram in most instances, I went straight into mydrop the hood [welding], you have no one else to second year, and school was difficult. When I firstblame, and to see something that youve created jumped in, I was like, whoa! I wasnt familiar withfrom start to finishnow that is trulyKyle Lamon a lot of the stuff. My business manager, Larry Mor- something. Career Opportunities in Piping for Transitioning Veterans|Fall/Winter 2019 13'