Staff Reports | Community Updates
National Technical Institute, known as NTI, recognized 103 graduates who earned certificates in HVAC, plumbing and electrical trades at its Phoenix campus.
Family members, friends and instructors gathered July 10 at the school’s 10,000-square-foot Phoenix training facility to celebrate what NTI described as the largest graduating class in the campus’s history.
The graduating class included 37 HVAC students, 26 plumbing students and 37 electrical students. Students completed 12 to 16 weeks of training in NTI’s 6,000-square-foot Phoenix lab, where they learned industry skills through hands-on instruction. More than 20 graduates had secured jobs by the time they completed the program, according to a press release.
“Six months ago, many of these students were considering their next step in life, and today they’re walking out of here as certified HVAC, plumbing, and electrical technicians ready to start their careers and serve the industry,” Jeff Kozloski, campus director of National Technical Institute Phoenix, said. “Improving lives by helping people begin a rewarding trade career is what drives our team every single day, and employers are eager to put these graduates to work.”
NTI graduates are entering a labor market that continues to face demand for skilled trades workers. Employment of plumbers is projected to grow 4% from 2024 to 2035, creating about 44,000 job openings annually, while employment of HVAC mechanics and installers is expected to increase 8% with more than 40,000 openings each year, according to the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association’s 2026 industry outlook, according to a press release.
“NTI gave me more than plumbing skills, it gave me confidence, discipline, and the belief that with hard work, I can build a better future,” Alfussene Jalo, an NTI Phoenix graduate, said. “This experience has been the first step toward achieving my dreams.”
Students receive instruction and mentorship from experienced industry professionals while completing classroom coursework and hands-on training. The program includes training on professional tools, safety procedures, maintenance techniques and repair methods in simulated job-site environments. NTI’s training labs are designed to reflect the equipment and conditions technicians encounter in the field.
