NTI signed a 10-year lease and has begun renovating its space in a former big-box store in Sparks. Over the next three months, NTI will develop classrooms equipped with cutting-edge trades technology, individual training stations, and dynamic curricula with hands-on programming to get students career-ready. Applications open in September and the first classes will start in November.

“NTI has provided skilled training for over 5,000 students and the demand keeps growing,” said Ryan Woodward, the National Technical Institute’s CEO. “The Reno-Sparks area has a significant workforce shortage, and as a Nevada business, we’re strategically positioned to provide accelerated programs to jump-start careers, develop a pipeline to the trades, and build a stronger Northern Nevada community.”

Local business leaders at Nevadaworks reached out to Woodward and the NTI team after identifying Reno-Sparks as one of the region’s fastest-growing areas and one with a widening gap between the demand for skilled trades workers and the number of students in the training pipeline. After reviewing several locations, NTI selected The Oddie District for its community-driven culture aimed at attracting a diverse mix of businesses where NTI students can engage daily with professionals from a wide range of backgrounds, the press release said.

“The Oddie District is built on the idea that innovation and community go hand in hand,” said Doug Wiele, the CEO and one of the founders of Foothill Partners, creators of the Oddie District. “NTI fits that vision perfectly, bringing students into a space where they train alongside artists, technologists, and entrepreneurs who are all working toward something bigger than themselves.”

The Oddie District space will be NTI’s fifth location; the institute has two campuses in Houston, Texas, and one each in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Phoenix, Arizona. Experienced contractors train and mentor students to become HVAC, plumbing, and electrical technicians using contractor-driven, hands-on curricula, with options for hybrid learning through the Fusion Training program. NTI also partners with contracting companies to build specialized training programs that refine employee expertise.

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Students earn certifications in 12 to 16 weeks and can receive dedicated support from a personal advisor who keeps them engaged throughout the program and connects them to job opportunities. 

Trained HVAC, plumbing, and electrical technicians are in demand in residential and commercial industries nationwide. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that HVAC technicians earn a median wage of $59,000 a year and predicts employment will grow by 8%, well above average, between 2024 and 2034.