Training & Education Opportunities

Veterans Upward Bound (VUB)

What It Is
Veterans Upward Bound is a federal TRIO program that offers free, college‑prep support to help veterans succeed in higher education or technical training. Established in 1972 and funded by the U.S. Department of Education, VUB projects operate nationwide.

Key Services (Always Free)

  • Academic Refresher Courses – Math, writing, science, computers, and more

  • Test Preparation – ACCUPLACER, CLEP, ACT/SAT, and placement exams

  • College & Career Guidance – Major selection, vocational options, transfer planning

  • Admissions & Financial‑Aid Coaching – Application assistance, FAFSA, GI Bill advice

  • Student Success Workshops – Study skills, time management, tutoring referrals

  • Supportive Services – VA benefit navigation, laptop/calculator loans, counseling referrals

  • Flexible Delivery – Self‑paced online modules, evening, and weekend classes

Eligibility

To enroll, participants must:

  1. Be a U.S. veteran with at least 181 days of active‑duty service (or a service‑connected medical discharge), released under conditions other than dishonorable.

  2. Demonstrate academic need and meet at least one of the following:

    • Potential first‑generation college student, or

    • Meet federal low‑income guidelines.

How to Enroll

  1. Locate the VUB project for your state or county via the program directory (see website below).

  2. Complete a short eligibility interview and submit a DD‑214 (Member 4) or NGB‑22 plus any required income/first‑generation documentation.

  3. Meet with a VUB advisor to build a personalized learning plan and begin classes.

National Contact Information

(The website includes an interactive map to find the nearest VUB campus.)

BAC Local 3 Apprenticeship – Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers (Northern CA)

Overview
The BAC Local 3 Apprenticeship trains men and women for high‑demand careers in masonry and allied craftwork—including Bricklayer, Pointer‑Cleaner‑Caulker (PCC), Tile Layer, Tile Finisher, Marble Mason/Finisher, Terrazzo Mechanic/Finisher, and related specialties. The program combines paid, on‑the‑job training with state‑approved classroom instruction at the Mason Development Center in Tracy, California.

Cost

  • Tuition‑free: Apprentices pay no tuition or fees.

  • Tools & safety gear: Basic starter kit (hard hat, safety glasses, etc.) is provided at no cost.

  • Earn while you learn: Apprentices start at 35‑40 % of the union journeyman wage and receive scheduled raises every six months as they meet hour and classroom milestones.

Program Length

  • 2 years (Tile & Marble Finishers)

  • 3 years (Tile Layers, Marble Masons, PCC)

  • 4 years (Bricklayers)
    All programs lead to a California state apprenticeship certificate and an internationally recognized BAC journeyman credential.

Key Benefits

  • Guaranteed job placement with signatory contractors during training

  • Structured wage progression with health, dental, pension, and annuity benefits

  • Small‑group, hands‑on classes in modern labs and outdoor masonry yards

  • Upgrade & safety training (OSHA, scaffold, welding, blueprint reading) at no cost after graduation

  • State and federal recognition, making your credential portable across the U.S. and Canada

Eligibility

  • 18 years or older

  • High‑school diploma or GED (or proof of high‑school equivalency in progress)

  • Physically able to perform construction work and lift 50 lbs+

  • Reliable transportation to various job sites throughout Northern California

  • Valid driver’s license and ability to work safely at heights

  • Must pass a basic math/measurement assessment and attend an orientation class

Application Process

  1. Contact chuck.callahan@workforwarriors.org

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