National Technical Institute (NTI), a vocational trade school founded in 2003, recognized 103 graduates who earned HVAC, plumbing and electrical certificates at its Phoenix campus.
Family, friends and instructors celebrated the students at the Phoenix campus's largest graduating class on July 10, 2026, at its 10,000-sq.-ft. training facility.
NTI's graduating class included 37 HVAC students, 26 plumbing students and 37 electrical students. Each spent 12 to 16 weeks training at NTI's 6,000-sq.-ft. Phoenix lab, learning to solve real-world challenges that make them career-ready. More than 20 had jobs upon graduation.
"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," said Jeff Kozloski, campus director, National Technical Institute Phoenix. "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."
Founded in 2003, NTI is a state-approved trade school with campuses in Las Vegas, Nev.; Phoenix, Ariz.; Houston, Texas; and Reno-Sparks, Nev.
NTI's graduates enter a job market where demand for skilled trade workers far outpaces supply. Employment of plumbers was projected to grow 4 percent from 2024 to 2035, generating about 44,000 annual job openings largely due to retirements, while HVAC mechanics and installers were expected to see faster growth of 8 percent with just over 40,000 openings per year, according to the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association's 2026 industry outlook.
NTI is working to close that gap by producing trained technicians in Phoenix, Houston and Las Vegas who are ready to contribute from day one.
"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," said Alfussene Jalo, NTI graduate, Phoenix campus. "This experience has been the first step toward achieving my dreams."
Through instruction and mentorship from highly experienced trade professionals, students learn in a classroom with peers and get immersive hands-on practical field experience. Training includes how to use professional tools and safety techniques to perform maintenance, repairs and replacements in a simulated real-world environment. NTI's training labs are equipped with industry standards that mirror what technicians encounter on job sites.
NTI offers fast track training certificates through in-person and hybrid learning over 12-16 weeks with new classes starting every month. The trade school also pairs every student with a personal career services adviser, who connects them to local employers.
