Frequently asked questions
General Questions
What is VEEP?
The Veteran’s Electrical Entry Program (VEEP) was developed to provide transitioning service members and recently separated veterans the ability to reenter the civilian workforce in a high demand field. By completing the VEEP pre-apprenticeship a qualifying participant gains direct entry in to an electrical apprenticeship at a location of their choosing.
Who runs VEEP?
The VEEP pre-apprenticeship is a national electrical training ALLIANCE program offered at local training centers around the United States. When enough interest is gauged at a military base and a nearby training center, the electrical training ALLIANCE works to get a training agreement in place.
How long is VEEP?
For inside electrician programs, there are three versions. In person training runs 7 weeks, 5 days a week and computer mediated learning training is self directed, typically capped at 6 months from start to finish. There is also a hybrid model of virtual classroom training plus in person that runs 9 weeks, 5 days a week. The line program runs for 16 weeks, 6 days a week that include a wage, room and board. No family housing is provided or allowed. There are also typically 2 weeks of break in the schedule.
Where does VEEP take place?
VEEP training is currently offered only in limited locations. Currently, for inside electricians: In person inside electrician VEEP training is only offered in Anchorage Alaska and San Diego California. Hybrid virtual classroom plus in person training is held in Los Angeles California and Salt Lake City Utah. For inside electricians, there is an online only option as well.
For line worker programs: The training facility is at the Lazy Q facility in La Grange, Texas. We also refer applicants to two other lineworker training programs located in Georgia and Missouri.
The goal of VEEP is to be available nationwide, use the application or contact form to get current information on training locations.
How does the VEEP process work?
Think of the VEEP process as similar to military enlistment.
When you enlist, first you meet with a recruiter to sign the application and pick 3 jobs you would like to do and 3 locations you would like to go to. This is like doing the in2veep application, you pick Line or Inside Electrician, then go to interest meetings as an Inside Wireman applicant or going to online interview as a Line applicant. You might not get a contract, not all who apply are brought in.
Next you are scheduled to go to MEPS where you do your physical and drug test and you are given orders AKA Contract of where you will do Basic Training and Where your Permanent Duty Station will be. This is essentially like getting approved for a VEEP Cohort with a contract for direct entry in hand. You don’t contact the base commander to get a post, the recruiting process takes care of finding a location that is on your list that has needs for more personnel, just like the VEEP team does with the JATCs.
After you complete Basic Training you arrive at your permanent duty station as an E1, with VEEP it is arrival at the local JATC and starting as a 1st year apprentice. If you wash out of VEEP there is no obligation on your part or the JATC’s part.
Then you go to advanced training and other specialized courses that prepare you for the roles and responsibilities of your next leadership advancement or job task until you are fully qualified for more advanced duties, which is like working your way through the progression of apprenticeship and becoming a journey-level worker.
Is VEEP a separate program from SkillBridge or does it work in conjunction with SkillBridge?
Yes, we have SkillBridge approval but we are also open to veterans and we also have an online version that can be done outside of SkillBridge while in the service as long as you have internet access (through the firewall when deployed can be an issue).
Inside Electrician has training models that support SkillBridge. The Lineman cohorts cannot at this time accept SkillBridge participants.
Who facilitates the process?
The electrical training ALLIANCE will work with training centers and service members to ensure everything runs smoothly. All learning materials will be provided free of charge to the participant and training center.
Eligibility & Application Process
How do I apply?
To sign up for VEEP, fill out the application form
What is needed to participate?
All service members and recently separated veterans are able to apply. Service members will also need to fulfill the requirements on the Participant Completion Requirements document both prior and during VEEP.
Where can I get the documents for VEEP?
Below are the documents available for download.
What are some of the key prerequisites for applying?
IF you have a CLASS A CDL THEN the process is much smoother for Line Worker program. Even having said that, it is not a true prerequisite. For inside there are no prereq’s. For all there is just the need to be able to produce a DD-214 form 4 with Honorable or General, Under Honorable Conditions in the proper box and meet the minimum requirements to be an apprentice at your chosen location.
Both are open to all branches including Coast Guard, National Guard, and Reserve.
Both are open to Veterans up to 5 years from EAS/EAOS to application
Inside is open for SkillBridge
Line is open for active duty only during terminal leave.
Do I need to wait until my last 180 days in the service to apply to VEEP or can I do so now?
No, get moving because you need to get papers signed by Transition Assistance and Command well in advance.
Apply no earlier than one year from your anticipated terminal leave date (best estimate at the time of application)
I have electrical experience in the military or civilian life, does that help me get into VEEP?
Your military experience will be valuable when you apply for apprenticeship if VEEP does not work out for you so we would suggest that you also look at requirements for application at your desired apprenticeship. For the inside VEEP program your previous experience does not affect your VEEP application. There is an interview and resume review step in the lineman VEEP process where your experience can factor in. In all cases, your military experience can be evaluated for advanced placement by the local JATC or Area-Wide and can result in hours credited to your apprenticeship and credit for classroom training, all on a case by case evaluation.
Are military spouses eligible for VEEP?
Military spouses are not eligible for VEEP at this time.
What kind of knowledge and experiences do I need to apply for these programs?
There is no prerequisite knowledge and experience requirement. There is no requirement to have a particular military occupation code (MOC). Just show up willing to work for a satisfying career and be able to produce a DD214 meeting minimum requirements.
IF- you have a CLASS A Commercial Drivers License- THEN- the process is much smoother for the Line Worker program. Even having said that, it is not a true prerequisite. If accepted in the line program, it is a condition of attendance. A great veteran program to utilize is Troops to Transit.
https://www.troops2transport.com/
https://share.hsforms.com/1GVs4kpDIQou1kttVcI3aZAcar5h
For inside there is no need for the CDL.
For all there is a need to be able to produce after discharge, in a timely manner, a DD-214 form 4 with Honorable or General, Under Honorable Conditions in the proper box and meet the minimum requirements to be an apprentice at your chosen location.
When is the deadline to submit my packages?
Cohorts form throughout the year, so if you see that an application is open for your chosen occupation and location of training then jump on the application process. There is no other paperwork to submit until we start processing your application. There are no deadlines per se. Just don’t apply too early. Suggested best time is one year prior to estimated terminal leave start date.
There will certainly be deadlines for your SkillBridge paperwork, but that is a question for TAP.
Is Chain of Command Approval documentation part of the requirement?
Short answer-Yes-IF you plan to attend training and make use of your SkillBridge window to attend training and be excused from duty then there will be a requirement that the VEEP program signs off on your package for the military. That paperwork will also inform VEEP as to hour responsibilities to your chain of command and points of contact. There are various document titles used in different branches. For online only programs see the other FAQ.
Do I still need to route requests for online only training through command to be approved, or could I just do the online on my own time?
Online only training for inside electricians can be done on your own time. Internet access will need to be available and access through any firewall for our websites must be assured. You will need sufficient free time to finish in a time agreeable to the receiving apprenticeship program, usually 6 months from start to completion.
Training & Curriculum
What does an electrician do?
Inside Wiremen install the power, lighting, controls and other electrical equipment in commercial and industrial buildings.
What skills will I be learning as an intern/apprentice?
During the VEEP pre-apprenticeship, you will be exposed to most of if not all of the first year curriculum for the given apprenticeship. In addition if you are enrolled in an in-person cohort then there will be hands-on training as well. The seven week in person inside wireman programs have thorough conduit bending and wiring hands on training among other subjects.
The lineman program at 16 weeks is the most thorough and will provide training and/or certification on climbing, digger-derrick operation, pole top rescue, line building among others. After VEEP you will enter a registered apprenticeship program somewhere of your choosing across the country. As an apprentice you will spend 8000 hours for inside wireman or 6000 hours for lineman to learn the skills and knowledge enabling you to perform at a level worthy of the label journey level worker.
For online training, is it the same curriculum/material that you’d be getting at the in person training?
We cannot provide the same curriculum in an online only format. There is overlap and there are courses which MAY be approved for advanced placement dependent upon local training program approval but some courses just cannot be done online only, such as conduit bending.
What are the future dates for the program?
Future dates are announced on the website and applications will reflect the various locations and dates when they become available. Watch the about page and blog posts.
Will VEEP be online or in a physical environment?
The line program is in person only. The inside electrician program has three options, in person, fully online, or hybrid virtual training plus in person.
What does the Computer Mediated Learning Program consist of?
We have a math course, plus 5 courses that are equivalent to 6 of our inside curriculum courses.
This can be done in place, anywhere with internet access
Cost, Benefits, & Post-Training opportunities
What is the cost for the Electrician program?
VEEP for all electrician cohorts is provided at no cost to the participant. Books, tuition, lab fees are all covered. participants will have to transport, feed and house themselves for any in person cohorts, at the location of training.
Will there be opportunities after the SkillBridge/program is completed?
Everyone who gets scheduled for training starts out with an agreement for direct entry into a registered apprenticeship. That means a paying career right after graduation, transition and relocation.
Does VEEP use the GI Bill?
No, there is no cost to participants for most VEEP courses. VEEP is not a program that you can access your GI Bill for in order to get housing support. The MoValley line program charges a tuition, ask at the time of application to see if your VA benefit can be accessed for that one program.
Is Travel, Housing, Room and Board Covered?
For the inside electrician program locations there is no allowance, stipend, or other help available for travel, housing, room and board or other expense such as childcare. There is, for some cohorts in Alaska only, on base housing if and only if you have a valid ID to get on post. That is decided each year based on availability and can get cancelled due to base needs.
For the line program in La Grange, Texas, and for that program and location only, a wage, room and board provided for participants only. No family members are allowed on the compound during training weeks. There are one or two leave weeks for travel home during the training schedule. Travel is not reimbursed and is the total responsibility of the participant.
After completion of this course, do you start off as a 2nd year apprentice or as a 1st year?
That takes quite a bit of knowledge about your particular case. Which curriculum did your cohort follow? Is the apprenticeship you are entering under a 4 year or 5 year school schedule (Inside)? How well will you do on the assessment when you show up to be registered. These are questions that are not fully answerable until much later. Bottom line is that the training you receive is creditable for the apprenticeship but there are 8000 hours (inside) or 6000 hours (line) of OJT to complete. And not all cohorts get a full first year core curriculum. The circumstances of which curriculum your group used and the number of years of apprenticeship (Inside) play the major factor in the decision. And in every case, each individual being assessed for direct entry placement needs to be placed in a track where they can succeed. Not all who finish are at the same level of readiness so there is no one simple answer.
Training Centers
What is a JATC and AJATC?
Joint Apprenticeship Training Committees (JATCs) are the local organizations that run the apprenticeships across the country. They are made up of electrical contractors and union worker members, in a joint labor and management organization. Area-wide Joint Apprenticeship Training Committees (AJATCs) are similar organizations that cover wide regions, and is how the lineman apprenticeships are governed. Inside electrician apprenticeships are organized under JATCs with a limited exception that is transparent to an Applicant, unlike the line application process that is through the AJATC.
How can my JATC participate?
There are two ways a training center can participate by training or accepting. A training JATC would provide VEEP training and provide records and completion documentation to the electrical training ALLIANCE. An accepting JATC would accept VEEP graduates into their electrical apprenticeship.
If interested in VEEP, those affiliated with training centers can fill out the form at the link below to let the electrical training ALLIANCE know of their interest.
Our inside program committee wants to offer direct interview, is that ok?
By direction of national leadership of IBEW and NECA the program hinges on providing direct entry.