National Technical Institute opens Reno-Sparks campus to train 400 workers a year

National Technical Institute will open its fifth campus in Reno-Sparks in fall 2026 to train up to 400 HVAC, plumbing and electrical technicians annually. The move targets Northern Nevada’s skilled labor shortage and adds a new training pipeline in Washoe County.

Why it matters: - NTI’s Reno-Sparks expansion adds a local training source for HVAC, plumbing and electrical workers in a region facing a workforce shortage. - The new campus is designed to speed students into jobs in residential and commercial trades, where demand remains high nationwide. - The expansion could help employers in Northern Nevada fill open roles faster and reduce reliance on out-of-area labor.

What happened: - National Technical Institute announced a new campus in Reno-Sparks, Nevada, with classes starting in November 2026 after applications open in September. - The 8,000-square-foot campus will open in The Oddie District at 2450 Oddie Blvd. in Sparks. - NTI signed a 10-year lease and has already started renovating the former big box store space. - The campus is expected to train 400 technicians annually in HVAC, plumbing and electrical skills.

The details: - The Reno-Sparks site will include purpose-built classrooms, individual training stations and trade technology for hands-on instruction. - NTI plans to use a dynamic curriculum aimed at making students career-ready upon graduation. - Students can earn certifications in 12 to 16 weeks. - Each student can receive support from a personal Career Services Advisor who helps with engagement during the program and job placement after graduation. - NTI’s contractor-driven curriculum includes options for hybrid learning through the Fusion Training program. - The school also works with contracting companies to create specialized training programs for employees. - The Reno-Sparks campus is NTI’s fifth location. - NTI also operates campuses in Las Vegas, Phoenix and Houston. - The company was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Las Vegas. - NTI has trained more than 5,000 students.

Between the lines: - Local business leaders at Nevadaworks approached NTI after identifying Reno-Sparks as one of the region’s fastest-growing cities with a widening gap between trade demand and training capacity. - NTI chose The Oddie District because of its community-focused mix of businesses and the chance for students to interact daily with professionals from different backgrounds. - Foothill Partners, which created The Oddie District, positioned the campus as a fit for a district built around innovation and community. - The move also extends NTI’s strategy of pairing fast-track trade training with employer connections.

What’s next: - NTI will continue renovating the Sparks campus over the next three months. - Applications open in September, followed by the first class start in November. - The company expects the Reno-Sparks campus to help build a stronger Northern Nevada pipeline for skilled trades. - The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says HVAC employment is projected to grow 8% from 2024 to 2034, with median wages of $59,000 a year, while plumbers and electricians also earn median pay above $62,000.

The bottom line: - NTI is betting Northern Nevada’s labor shortage and growth will support a new trade school campus built to move students into jobs quickly.