Trade Jobs in Arizona You Can Train for in Less Than a Year

Many young people these days are reconsidering their career options and looking for alternatives to college as student loan debt in the U.S. has reached a staggering $1.5 trillion. Plus, it takes at least four years until a college student can earn full-time wages, yet another reason many young people are turning to the trades instead.¹

A career in the skilled trades allows students to complete training in less than a year and have the chance to earn a healthy income right away.

Arizona in particular has a flourishing economy, and employers are recruiting tradespersons from around the country.

Looking for a well-paying job in a warm and sunny climate that you can start in less than 12 months? Read on.

Skilled Trades Workers Needed in Arizona

The Arizona economy is booming. Employment in the private sector is up by 74,100 compared to the same period last year, which translates to a 3.1 percent growth rate. Low unemployment can force employers to pay more to attract qualified workers.

Arizona’s construction industry looks especially healthy. The state has seen immense construction activity this year, with various multi-million dollar projects. However, employers are still struggling to find workers amid the skilled labor shortage that is plaguing the country.

“The demand for electrical services has outpaced the development of skilled workforce in Arizona over the past 5 years,” Justin Martin, President and CEO of Corbins Electric, told AZRE Magazine. Martin adds that the company has “worked to attract talent from other areas of the country to come to Arizona to participate in these building opportunities.”

“The skilled workforce in Arizona is more competitive in the last few years as there is a decrease in people entering the skilled labor and technical trades. While the quality of labor has increased, the quantity of labor hasn’t,” Kimberly Davids, General Manager at Weitz, also told AZRE Magazine.

So what kind of trade jobs that take less than a year to prepare for need qualified workers in Arizona? And how can you train for them in the same state?

4 Trade Jobs in Arizona You Can Prepare for in Less Than a Year

1. HVAC Technician

HVAC technicians are needed to install, maintain and repair heating, ventilation, cooling and refrigeration systems that control temperature, humidity and air quality in buildings. Their job duties also include installing electrical components and wiring, discussing system malfunctions or recommending maintenance practices.²

The nationwide job growth rate for HVAC techs is 13% from 2018 to 2028, more than twice as fast as the average for all occupations.³

If you’re interested in training for an HVAC career in Arizona, then you may be pleased to know that the largest HVAC/R school in the United States, The Refrigeration School, is located in Phoenix.

An HVAC training program at RSI can be completed in as little as six months. Students learn:

• The basics of electrical applications and refrigeration systems
• The installation and servicing of residential and commercial comfort systems
• Advanced troubleshooting

2. Electrician

Electricians work on electrical power, communications, lighting and control systems in homes, businesses or factories. Among their responsibilities are reading blueprints, identifying electrical problems and following state and local building regulations.⁴

Employment of electricians in the country is projected to grow 10% from 2018 to 2028, which is faster than average.⁵

You can obtain your certificate in electrical technologies from RSI in as little as three months. Our practical curriculum covers the fundamentals of electricity, as well as residential and commercial wiring. We also train our students in the National Electric Code (NEC).

3. Welder

Welders join, cut or repair metal parts with the help of hand-held or remotely controlled equipment. They usually also study blueprints and sketches, calculate dimensions of parts to be welded and maintain equipment and machinery.⁶

The job growth rate for welders in the U.S. is projected to increase by 3% from 2018 to 2028.⁷

The welding specialist training program at RSI can be completed in as little as seven months. Students receive in-depth training in core welding processes, such as:

• Shielded metal arc welding (SMAW)
• Gas metal arc welding (GMAW)
• Flux-cored arc welding (FCAW)
• Gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW)

Students also learn safety practices, basic metallurgy and welding equipment care.

4. Electro-Mechanical Technician

Electro-Mechanical Technicians are versed in mechanical and electrical technology. They operate, test and maintain unmanned, automated, robotic or electromechanical equipment. They work with precision-measuring instruments, testing instruments and soldering equipment.⁸

RSI’s Electro-Mechanical Technologies training program can be finished in as little as nine months. The program instructs students in the fundamentals of the following:

• Electricity
• Residential and commercial wiring
• Comfort systems

The program also offers a solar energy technology module.

Prepare for a Skilled Trades Career in Arizona at RSI

Arizona is a fantastic place to launch a career in the skilled trades. You can get started after less than a year of hands-on training at RSI! Should you have any questions regarding our training programs, don’t hesitate and contact us at (888) 671-5803.

Additional Sources
¹ https://www.cbsnews.com/news/high-school-students-grapple-with-lifetime-decision-college-or-the-trades/
² https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/heating-air-conditioning-and-refrigeration-mechanics-and-installers.htm#tab-2
³ https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/heating-air-conditioning-and-refrigeration-mechanics-and-installers.htm#tab-6
⁴ https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/electricians.htm#tab-2
⁵ https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/electricians.htm#tab-6
⁶ https://www.bls.gov/ooh/production/welders-cutters-solderers-and-brazers.htm#tab-2
⁷ https://www.bls.gov/ooh/production/welders-cutters-solderers-and-brazers.htm#tab-6
⁸ https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/electro-mechanical-technicians.htm#tab-2