The Military Veterans Program (MVP) is designed for soldiers transitioning out of the U.S. Army at Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas. Fort Hood has the largest number of transitioning soldiers of all U.S. bases - more than 900 per month. Program participants take part in a free, eight-week training program, which gives military vets the basic skill set of a first-year apprentice with hands-on projects for real-world experience. Once civilians, these veterans join a Southern States Millwright or Central South Carpenter local union and get to work!

When the MVP program started a few years ago, it was geared toward just millwrights, and quickly became the number one such program at Ft Hood. At the start of 2021, a carpenter program was launched alongside the millwright tract. Millwrights and carpenters train together for the first half of the program for common core training such as OSHA 30 and First Aid. They then break into either millwright or interior systems carpenter training for the remaining four weeks.

The program is so highly effective that it recently was recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor for its success in getting military veterans into the civilian workforce.

“We are so proud to be part of a program that was recently recognized for its effectiveness,” said Paul Jones, Executive Director of the Central South Carpenters & Millwrights Training Trust Fund, which administers the program. In just 2021, 39 retiring soldiers graduated from the program. That number is expected to continue to climb.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott also recognized the effectiveness of the program. He sent a letter to program administrators that read in part:

“The often-used slogan for the Lone Star State’s approach to commerce is that “Texas is wide open for business.” This openness and dedication to inclusivity in business is a testament to the fact that our economy works best when everyone is welcome, especially the hardworking men and women who have served our country in the armed forces. Through your efforts to help veterans succeed in their careers, our robust Texas workforce continues to grow stronger. Companies like yours remain the backbone of our economy, and we must never forget that our state and nation will continue to be strengthened by the full participation for workers from all backgrounds. At this time, I commend you for your dedication to ensuring that our veterans have access to ample employment opportunities and helping them find their place in the Texas workforce. Together we will build a better and brighter future for the Lone Star State.”

Learn more about this incredible program at www.ubcmvp.org