National Technical Institute (NTI), a state-approved trade school with campuses in Las Vegas, Phoenix and Houston specializing in HVAC, plumbing and electrical training, announces Ryan Woodward as the new CEO. Woodward is a partner in the business and previously served as chief financial officer, making for an easy transition.

"Ryan has been vital to NTI's success and continued growth. He understands the industries we serve and is dedicated to helping contractors hire qualified employees that they desperately need while providing a chance for students to find a new, fulfilling career through education," said David Lee, partner and chief operating officer. "With his financial background and involvement in the Governor's Workforce Development Board and Vegas Chamber, and we couldn't be in better hands, and I am personally confident that he will continue to lead the growth of NTI to a prosperous future."

In 2022, Woodward was appointed to the Governor's Workforce Development Board in Nevada where he oversees the distribution and use of federal and state dollars allocated to workforce entities that are using those funds to help people gain useful skills that lead to employment. Prior to this three-year appointment, he sat on the Governor's Community College Workforce Training and Programs Committee where he focused on creating educational opportunities to help meet the needs of existing trades and professions and plan for the future. Woodward is also on the Board of Directors at the Vegas Chamber of Commerce and co-chair of the Vegas Chamber Workforce Task Force.

For more than two decades, Woodward has held multiple roles in the financial world, gaining experience in all aspects of the industry. Prior to joining the team at NTI five years ago, Woodward was an executive-level manager in commercial and business banking working with companies that had up to $350 million in revenue.

"NTI has allowed me to do what I have always desired – run a business that helps people grow and invest in their future. As CEO, I will continue down this path of providing opportunities for people to find a new, fulfilling career," Woodward added.

Woodward was integral in helping NTI expand outside of Las Vegas with the launch of new campuses in Phoenix and Houston. Additionally, NTI is now offering a virtual program with two weekends of in-person labs to anyone within a four-hour drive of an NTI campus in an effort to provide broader vocational training for those who are rurally located or do not have career educational opportunities in their area.

Additional leadership changes at NTI

As the school expands to Houston, NTI has relocated one of its seasoned employees to the new campus to ensure a smooth start. Derek NeSmith, who previously led the successful Henderson, Nevada campus, has been appointed as campus director and will oversee the recruitment and staffing of faculty and administrative teams, while fostering a supportive learning environment for students.

Kodi Wilson, an experienced plumbing instructor at NTI who understands what it means to work in the trades, has assumed NeSmith's former role in Henderson. Having started in plumbing at a young age, Wilson is well-equipped to guide NTI's students towards fulfilling and lucrative career paths in the trades.  

"We recognize the crucial role that our campus directors play in ensuring the success of our students, so along with the campus director in Phoenix, we have carefully selected the most qualified candidates to fill these positions. We are excited for the future and look forward to our continued growth while staying committed to helping individuals across the country find fulfilling and prosperous careers," Lee sai.

As Baby Boomers phase out of the workforce in record numbers, with an estimated 75 million expected to retire by 2030, the need for skilled trade professionals is at an all-time high, making schools like NTI essential to the communities they serve. NTI offers affordable tuition, flexible financing options, a comprehensive fast-track training program, and a unique hybrid learning model. In as little as 8-16 weeks to complete a certification, graduates enter the workforce with high earnings potential as the average salary for HVAC installers and mechanics is $48,630, $60,040 for electricians, and $59,880 for plumbers.