NTI graduates 103 trade technicians in Phoenix

National Technical Institute graduated 103 HVAC, plumbing and electrical students from its Phoenix campus on July 10, marking the school’s largest Phoenix class of 2026. The class arrives as employers face a shortage of skilled trade workers and NTI expands its fast-track training pipeline.

Why it matters: - NTI is sending 103 newly certified HVAC, plumbing and electrical technicians into a labor market with strong demand and persistent worker shortages. - More than 20 graduates already had jobs at graduation, showing the school’s employer pipeline is producing immediate placements. - The Phoenix class adds trained workers to trades that are expected to see thousands of annual openings over the next decade.

What happened: - National Technical Institute recognized 103 graduates at its Phoenix campus on July 10. - The class included 37 HVAC students, 26 plumbing students and 37 electrical students. - Family, friends and instructors marked the event at the campus’s 10,000-square-foot training facility. - The graduating class was the largest in NTI’s Phoenix campus history for 2026.

The details: - Students trained for 12 to 16 weeks at NTI’s 6,000-square-foot Phoenix lab. - The program focused on real-world problem solving to prepare students for work after graduation. - Training covered professional tools, safety techniques, maintenance, repairs and replacements in a simulated job-site environment. - NTI’s labs are designed to mirror industry standards that technicians encounter on the job. - Jeff Kozloski, NTI Phoenix campus director, said the graduates were leaving certified and ready to start careers in the trades. - Kozloski said employers are eager to hire the graduates. - More than 20 graduates had jobs upon graduation. - NTI offers fast-track certificates through in-person and hybrid learning formats. - New classes start every month. - Each student is paired with a personal Career Services Advisor who connects students with local employers. - More information

Between the lines: - The graduation underscores how trade schools are responding to a shortage in plumbing, HVAC and electrical work. - The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association’s 2026 industry outlook projects plumbers will grow 4% from 2024 to 2035, with about 44,000 annual openings. - The same outlook projects HVAC mechanics and installers will grow 8%, with just over 40,000 openings per year. - NTI is positioning campuses in Phoenix, Houston and Las Vegas as a direct pipeline for employers. - A graduate, Alfussene Jalo, said the program gave him confidence, discipline and a better path forward.

What's next: - NTI will continue enrolling new classes every month. - The school will keep pairing students with Career Services Advisors to support employer connections. - NTI is expected to keep using its Phoenix, Houston and Las Vegas campuses to feed demand for skilled trades workers.

The bottom line: - NTI is using short, hands-on training to turn out job-ready technicians faster than traditional pathways can, at a time when the trades need them most.