Program to expand workforce recruitment efforts in HVAC, plumbing workforce shortages

Las Vegas, Nev. (FOX5) – The National Technical Institute in Henderson trains students and gives them certificates to work in these fields within three to four months.

Working oil with running water is essential, but finding a technician when something breaks can sometimes be difficult.

“Working the sinks, the garbage, really easy stuff, then we’ll move on to the toilet,” said plumbing student Josiah Menendez.

Menendez explained his practical work at NTI to enter the workforce.

“Everywhere you go, there’s always a huge need for plumbing because a lot of plumbers have actually retired and not a lot of people are getting into it now,” Menendez said.

NTI teaches three trades that include HVAC, plumbing and electrical.

NTI’s CEO said they see the greatest need in plumbing and HVAC, especially with more homes and properties being built.

“Everybody’s going to college, and now we’re realizing that we have this workforce that we’re not trained to maintain all the systems that maintain everything, we don’t have the people coming into the business to keep them going.” said the CEO. from NTI’s Ryan Woodward.

Every application for this business is fast tracked and completed within 8 to 16 weeks.

“We went through all the basics that you need to know to be an apprentice plumber, which is a big deal, and most programs don’t give you as great a foundation as this program does,” Menendez said.

Courses cost between $6,000 and $10,000, and while NTI does not accept student loans, they are approved by the VA and work with third-party lenders to provide loans to help pay for students’ education.

“We try not to turn anyone away,” Woodward said. “If they can’t afford it, we try very hard to find a way for them to come to class anyway.”

NTI in Las Vegas graduated 700 students last year and has about 300 enrolled at any given time.

The graduation rate is 99.9% and 90% work in these professions.

Upon completion of the program, students receive a certificate and the school works with more than 200 contractors within the Valley to hire their graduates.

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