National Technical Institute (NTI), a state-approved trade school with campuses in Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Houston, has launched the Regional Immersion Program that offers specialized online trade school educational opportunities to expand workforce training solutions for HVAC, plumbing, and electrical contractors. Regardless of a potential employee's skill level, the new program allows for a diverse range of individuals to conveniently complete virtual instruction followed by four days of intensive in-person training, for contractors looking for entry-level workers.

The Regional Immersion Program presents an excellent opportunity for contractors to overcome their recruitment hurdles and secure the qualified workforce they require. "We partner with contractors who are constantly searching for new employees and hiring our students before they even graduate. Let's face it, people with skilled trade experience are hard to find, and that has created a pressing need for a solution," said David Lee, chief operating officer and co-owner of NTI. "Our program expands the pool of potential candidates, allowing contractors to identify promising workers who possess the right qualities — commitment, enthusiasm, and a willingness to learn. With our assistance, these individuals can develop and excel in their roles."

After completing a series of specialized online tutorials, students attend concentrated lab sessions to reinforce video learning. These lab sessions take place in two weekend training sessions — the first after reaching the midway point of online learning, and the second at the conclusion of the virtual course. The intensive, hands-on training classes are held Friday and Saturday once a month at any of NTI's campuses located in Phoenix, Las Vegas, or Houston limiting the time away from the job. The in-person training is included in the tuition and covers hotel and meals for the weekend lab sessions.

"The Immersion Program has proven to be an invaluable asset to us. It has significantly expanded our talent pool, enabling us to consider candidates, regardless of their experience, but who we know could do a great job with some proper training. And since this program is largely online and limits time away from the job, they are completely immersed in our company and culture from the start," said Chase Cottam, service team manager for Hobaica Servicesin Phoenix. "The graduates who have completed this program have exceeded our expectations, and we've had remarkable productivity and revenue growth from those who participated in the Immersion program. It is really fast with a minimum investment and undoubtedly a game changer for our company."

Through NTI's Immersion Program, the school's HVAC, plumbing, and electrical courses are all available online and can be completed in as little as nine weeks with video instruction that introduces students to the fundamentals of each respective trade. Taught by experienced industry professionals, the video curriculum is broken down into modules with mandatory tests at the end of each lesson. 

The on-campus portion of the program is taught in NTI's high-tech, industry-standard practice labs designed to prepare students for an entry-level career as an HVAC, plumbing, or electrical technician. Graduates will have learned the essentials of their chosen trade and are capable of maintaining industry equipment to ensure proper function, inspecting and testing systems and their components, discussing system malfunctions with customers, repairing and replacing defective parts, and more.

"Contractors are already seeing a benefit as 50 students have already been trained and become successful new employees for many companies throughout the country," said Ryan Woodward, CEO and co-owner of NTI. Contractors see this as a chance to upskill new, inexperienced workers that they desperately need to retain. They can literally hire someone with little or no trade experience, put them through NTI's Regional Immersion Program, and in no time have a fully functioning technician. It is just what the industry needs to fill the thousands of jobs that are available; a win-win for all." 

For more information about the Immersion Program visit www.ntitraining.com.