Established in 2003, National Technical Institute is a state-approved trade school with campuses in Las Vegas and other states. Veterans trained by NTI fill the need for top skills in the fluctuating Las Vegas job market, particularly in skilled trades such as HVAC technicians, plumbers and electricians, as the aging workforce retires from these positions.
The school offers fast-track training focused on a career-oriented education in a highly focused learning environment that concentrates on imparting the essential skills needed for each job. Graduates are prepared for their chosen careers starting on their very first day on the job. Classes typically last between 12 and 15 weeks, and schedules are flexible to accommodate students’ needs with a range of options, including virtual, hybrid, regional immersion classes and in-person programs.
Programs offered include entry-level HVAC technician, entry-level plumbing technician and entry-level electrical technician.
“These are all entry-level courses to get people the foundational skills they need to get in those industries. These are skills that can be used for positions in maintenance or an engineer-type role in the service or construction industry,” said Kodi Wilson, campus director for Las Vegas.
Wilson worked in the plumbing trades after graduating from high school and continued in this field for 15 years of his career. He was then offered the opportunity to become a plumbing instructor at NTI, and two years later, he was presented with the opportunity to move into the campus director role, managing the entire campus.
Erik Vasquez, an HVAC instructor at NTI, served in the Air Force and worked in the HVAC trade for 17 years. He has worked in different aspects of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration. Vasquez also worked as a welder before being given the opportunity to become an instructor at NTI.
“There is a very high demand, especially in areas like Las Vegas, where temperatures can get very hot, so that I can teach my skills to the next generations,” added Vasquez.
As for instructing other veterans, “Anybody that’s been in the military, when they come out, they are very easy to follow the guidelines since they’re very structured. Veterans understand the curriculum and expectations, especially when we set goals. Their drive is to achieve those goals with clear guidelines, processes and procedures in place. Veterans push themselves to be a better version of themselves as they go through the classes,” added Vasquez.
Adonis Todd, a veteran, graduated from plumbing school and entered the civilian work force. “I served in a nuclear Navy, and many of the aspects of plumbing are similar, so I think it translated well into the civilian side. I’m very mechanically inclined, and I thought I would be good at it.” Todd enrolled in the HVAC class, planning to take multiple classes over time.
“Our process at NTI for individuals to get enrolled is simple. We encourage everyone to come down and take a tour of the facility and the program they’re interested in, to make sure it’s the right fit. We like them to see our labs, meet an instructor and get a feel for the program,” explained Wilson. “Once they complete the tour, if they’re interested, we help them to figure out the financing side of it. That varies person by person, whether they need to do some lending or they’ve got their Veteran Education benefits.”
Programs are held approximately every six weeks, allowing students to start school as seamlessly as possible. Students have to be 18 years or older to enroll in classes.
In 2019, 2020 and 2022, NTI was honored as “The Best Trade School” by the Las Vegas Review-Journal and one of the fastest growing companies for 2020, 2021, and 2022 by Inc. 5000. For more information, visit ntitraining.com and follow on Facebook @lvntitraining and X (Former Twitter) @NTItraining.
