● 204 graduates earn certificates at Northwest Campus on Aug. 8; 28honored at Southeast Campus on Aug. 14
● 98 HVAC, 65 electrical and 41 plumbing technicians earn certificatesfor work in skilled trades
● More than 40 Northwest Campus graduates secured jobs before completingcoursework
HOUSTON, Texas (Aug. 21, 2026) - NationalTechnical Institute (NTI), a leading vocational trade school foundedin 2003, recognized 232 graduates across its two Houston campuses, honoringstudents who completed HVAC, plumbing and electrical certificate programs. TheNorthwest Campus celebrated 204 graduates on Aug. 8, and the Southeast Campushonored 28 graduates on Aug. 14.
NTI's Northwest Campus class included 98 HVAC,65 electrical and 41 plumbing technicians. More than 40 of those graduatessecured jobs before completing their coursework, with Career Services Advisorsactively connecting additional graduates to local hiring partners. TheSoutheast Campus class included 14 HVAC technicians, 6 electrical techniciansand 8 plumbing technicians, trained through NTI's Traditional and Fusionprograms.
"I was really nervous coming here as afemale in a mostly male dominated field. But once I got here, it really just,it felt right and it felt like home,” said Savanna Bluff, recent NTI HoustonPlumbing Graduate. “I've enjoyed my time here. I've enjoyed working with myhands and I've enjoyed the people. I've met so many friends and I've been ableto network and really see that plumbing has so many different options for me.”
Savanna Bluff spent years working in therestaurant industry before making the decision to pursue a more stable,better-paying career in the skilled trades. She enrolled at NTI Houston andgraduated as a certified plumbing technician.
"These graduates represent exactly whatNTI Houston is built for, and we’re proud to prepare people with the skills andconfidence to launch careers in trades where demand continues to grow,"said Dexter Bethers, Campus Director, National Technical Institute HoustonNorthwest. "Every class that comes through these doors impresses me withtheir commitment and growth, and knowing that employers are eager to hire themmakes each graduation one of the most rewarding days of the year."
Houston's skilled trades shortage andsustained construction growth make this graduating class a critical resourcefor the regional workforce. Surveys by national contractor associationsconsistently show that 70% to 80% of firms report persistent struggles to fillhourly craft positions. These NTI graduates enter the Houston workforce astrained HVAC, plumbing and electrical technicians at a time when the regionalindustry needs them most.
“Walking through that door that day, like,literally changes, changes everything. Within my first week here, I felt like Iwas related to the family here. It really changed my life around. People hereactually care,” said Tyrone Hunter, NTI Houston Plumbing Graduate. “They arewilling to go the extra mile, hands-on with everything that they do here.Honestly, I would advise anybody who really wants to come to a trade school NTIwould definitely be the place. They're hands-on with your practical, your everythingacademics, and just consider yourself to be family as well."
NTI's Jersey Village Northwest Campus servesstudents across Northwest Houston, and the Clear Lake/Pearland Southeast Campusextends access to trade education for Southeast Houston residents. Bothcampuses feature state-of-the-art labs equipped with professional tools andindustry-standard equipment designed to mirror real field conditions. Toaccommodate students who are currently working, classes run from 8 a.m. to 10p.m., with morning, mid-day and evening options available on weekdays andSaturday classes offered at both campuses. NTI offers certification programsthrough in-person and hybrid learning in 12 to 16 weeks, with new classesstarting every month, and pairs each graduate with a personal Career ServicesAdvisor who connects them to local hiring partners.
For more information, visit https://www.ntitraining.com.
Founded in 2003, National Technical Institute(NTI) is a state-approved trade school with campuses in Las Vegas, Nevada;Phoenix, Arizona; Houston, Texas; and Reno-Sparks, Nevada, offering bothin-person and hybrid learning options to fit every student's schedule. NTIstrives to give students the fast-track, hands-on training employers arelooking for, giving graduates a jumpstart in the HVAC, plumbing, and electricaljob market. Honored as "Best Trade School" by the Las VegasReview-Journal in 2019, 2020, and 2022, and recognized as one of thefastest-growing companies by Inc. 5000 in 2020, 2021, and 2022, NTI ispassionate about student success and committed to doing everything it can tobetter the futures of those it serves. For more information, visit www.ntitraining.com
Emily Cardone
10 to 1 Public Relations
480-245-3983
emily@10to1pr.com
Alanna Goodman
10 to 1 Public Relations
480-886-8098
