Recently, NewsNation spotlighted a powerful model of workforce development in action: . The initiative demonstrates what becomes possible when industry leaders invest directly in their people, creating accessible career pathways into essential, high-demand fields like HVAC, electrical, and automation.

At ����ֱ��, that mission sits at the core of everything we do.

Through hands-on, career-focused training, we are dedicated to preparing the next generation of technicians for the jobs our communities, infrastructure, and economy rely on every single day. True workforce transformation happens at the intersection of education and industry. When educators and employers join forces, we don’t just fill job openings—we create life-changing career mobility.

We are incredibly proud to play a role in developing a skilled, resilient workforce ready to build, maintain, and power what comes next.

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PHOENIX, Ariz. (Oct. 20, 2025) — ����ֱ��, a national leader in skilled trades education, today announced the appointment of Bill Nance as its new chief executive officer.

Nance brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in secondary, postsecondary and nontraditional education. Known for his strategic and innovative approach, he has developed programs that enhance student learning while driving institutional growth.

“I am honored to lead StrataTech at such a pivotal time,” Nance said. “With our sixth campus opening in Metro Atlanta in January 2026, StrataTech is poised to redefine skilled trades education to meet the increasing demand for electricians, HVAC technicians and welders.”

Most recently, Nance served as president and CEO of Ancora Education, which operates skilled trade schools in automotive, health, IT and business. He previously held senior leadership roles at Delta Career Education Corp., including chief operating officer and senior vice president of campus operations, where he implemented strategies that strengthened operations and expanded market reach. His career also includes serving as chief information officer at Forefront Education, national director of IT, and president of the entrepreneurial venture Brand Pixel.

Mary Kelly, who recently transitioned from her role as StrataTech’s president and CEO, expressed her confidence in Nance as he steps into the position. “StrataTech is fortunate to welcome Bill as its next leader,” Kelly said. “His proven record in education, along with his passion for advancing the skilled trades, will accelerate StrataTech’s growth and impact. I look forward to supporting him in this next chapter.”

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Expand Skilled Trades Training Opportunities for Arizona Students

PHOENIX, Ariz. (October 15, 2025) – a leading operator of skilled trade schools, has partnered with (Adams) and the Phoenix Job Corps Center (PJCC) to provide specialized technical training and scholarship opportunities for local Arizona students pursuing a career in the skilled trades.

Through this partnership, PJCC students will gain access to professional training programs in welding, refrigeration, HVAC and electrical, with up to 10 students enrolled per program. Scholarships and tuition payment support will be offered when available to enable more students to take advantage of RSI’s professional training programs. Adams, which operates PJCC for the U.S Department of Labor, will oversee PJCC’s role in the partnership.

“By joining forces with ����ֱ�� and the local RSI campus in Phoenix, we are creating new pathways for our students to access high-demand career training in fields essential to Arizona’s workforce,” said Susan Larson, president of Adams and Associates. “This partnership ensures that our students not only receive world-class technical training, but also the support they need to successfully launch their careers.”

The partnership reflects a shared commitment to addressing workforce needs across Arizona. PJCC, a federally funded career training program serving young people ages 16 through 24, supports students to complete high school diplomas, earn technical training in skilled trades and secure meaningful employment. PJCC is actively recruiting new students from the greater Phoenix area and northern Arizona.

StrataTech specializes in developing and growing skilled-trade education programs designed to meet the nation’s infrastructure and workforce needs. StrataTech operates The Refrigeration School, Inc. (RSI) in Phoenix and Tulsa Welding Schools (TWS) in several locations across the U.S. Locally, RSI promotes a hands-on learning environment where students can earn their certification in as little as nine months and go on to secure a career in the skilled trades in Arizona.

“RSI is proud to partner with Phoenix Job Corps Center to expand access to skilled trade education,” said Jenny Pacheco, Assistant Vice President of Agency Relations at StrataTech. “Together, we are preparing the next generation of welders, electricians, HVAC and refrigeration technicians who will be critical to building and sustaining Arizona’s future workforce.”

����ֱ�� Phoenix Job Corps Center

Phoenix Job Corps Center is a federally funded career training and education program for eligible young people 16 through 24 who aspire to higher-paying careers and higher education. PJCC houses 229 residential students and 124 non-residential students. It offers vocational training in seven trades in the nation’s fastest-growing industries. The program is free of charge for students. To learn more about Job Corps, visit jobcorps.gov.

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 focuses on the education, growth and development of specialized career education schools, particularly skilled-trade programs designed to address the nation’s growing infrastructure needs. Holding an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau, ����ֱ��’s portfolio includes ,�� (Tulsa, OK),�� (FL), Tulsa Welding School & Technology Center (Houston) and  (TX). For more information, visit .

����ֱ�� Adams and Associates

Adams and Associates is a 100% employee-owned Company committed to quality training, education, case management and workforce development services. Starting as a small business formed in 1990, Adams has operated federal and state workforce and residential programs for more than 30 years. Adams is headquartered in Reno, NV and has an office in Columbia, MD to provide training and technical assistance to its contract sites across the country. Since its inception, Adams has been awarded more than $2 billion in federal and state contracts. Adams serves more than 6,000 clients each year.

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Tulsa Welding School Atlanta Campus Opening Soon

ATLANTA (October 13, 2025) – an operator of skilled trade schools: The Refrigeration School, Inc. (RSI) in Phoenix and Tulsa Welding School (TWS) with locations in Tulsa, Jacksonville, Houston, and Dallas Metro, is pleased to announce Tamekia Morris as campus president of its new TWS campus opening soon in Metro Atlanta, Ga.

With over two decades of transformative leadership in operations and logistics, Morris has made a profound impact on educational institutions and corporate environments alike. She has established a career marked by significant achievements, such as increasing student populations by 40% and boosting student retention by the same margin.

Morris began her career in education in 2007 and has been dedicated to trade education for the past 18 years. She attended a traditional four-year university and was never exposed to the opportunities in the skilled trades. This is why Morris continues to work to increase awareness and teach students about the countless opportunities the skilled trades offer future professionals.

“The most rewarding aspect working in skilled trades education is seeing the direct impact on students’ lives. Many of our students come to us seeking a second chance, a career change, or a way to provide for their families,” said Morris. “Watching them transform their futures—sometimes in as little as seven months—reminds me daily of the importance of this work.”

Morris moved away from Atlanta two years ago to pursue leadership roles in higher education, but the opportunity to return to her roots as TWS Atlanta’s campus president has come full circle.

“Tamekia is focused on shaping the culture, building the team, and creating a vision for success at TWS Atlanta,” said StrataTech President and CEO Mary Kelly. “The launch of the new campus in her hometown allows Morris the chance to instill values of excellence, accountability, and student-first service from the ground up.”

“My vision is for Tulsa Welding School – Atlanta to become the premier trade school in the area, known for producing the highest-quality graduates,” added Morris. “I want employers to see our students as their first choice for talent, and I want students to see us as a place where they can truly transform their futures.”

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����ֱ��, in collaboration with Walmart, is proud to bring the Associate-to-Technician program directly to our campus. Through Tulsa Welding School, Dallas Metro (TWS) and StrataSkills, associates are training on-site to transition into higher-paying, skilled trade roles.

This initiative is about more than just training; it’s about creating meaningful career pathways. Walmart associates gain hands-on experience in the lab and classroom, learning skills that prepare them for essential technician positions that power industries nationwide.

Students and staff are already seeing the impact on campus as participants build confidence, sharpen technical abilities, and prepare for stable, rewarding careers.

See the program in action:

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At ����ֱ��, we’re committed to more than training, we’re investing in futures. Recently, our collaboration with Walmart on the Associate to Technician program earned a well-deserved GOLD award in the Future of Work category at the Brandon Hall Group Excellence Awards.

What Makes This Program Special

Delivered through StrataSkills, Tulsa Welding School, and StrataTech, the Associate to Technician program equips Walmart associates with the hands-on training they need to transition confidently into skilled technician roles. More than a curriculum, it’s a partnership-built pathway to opportunity.

Why It Matters

• Real Workforce Development: This recognition highlights what happens when companies invest in people—not just with words, but with action.

• Collaborative Innovation: Programs like this succeed because of the trust, creativity, and shared goals of all partners involved.

• Impact at Scale: Each associate who completes the program gains not only technical capability but career mobility and confidence.

We’re honored to be part of this solution—and inspired by what’s possible when organizations believe in education as a force for upward mobility.

Thank you to the many team members at StrataSkills, TWS, and StrataTech who bring this program to life every day. Together, we’re preparing the next generation of skilled trades professionals—and changing lives in the process.

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Skilled-Trade Pathways for At-Promise Youth

Collaboration offers $1,500 scholarships and hands-on training at Tulsa Welding School’s Houston campus to help students land high-demand jobs in the skilled trades

HOUSTON, Texas (July 7, 2025) — a national leader in skilled-trade career education, today announced a strategic partnership with Eight Million Stories, a nonprofit dedicated to helping at-promise youth and young adults break cycles of generational poverty. Together, the organizations will provide a seamless path from earning a GED or high-school diploma to completing specialized training at the Tulsa Welding School (TWS) Houston campus and entering the workforce.

“This partnership supercharges our mission,” said Marvin Pierre, co-founder and executive director of Eight Million Stories. “By pairing our academic and life-skills services with StrataTech’s industry-recognized training, we’re giving young people the credentials, confidence and connections they need to secure a career.”

The partnership will offer:

• Education and training pipeline: Students who complete their GED or high-school diploma can enroll in TWS’s skilled-trade programs including welding, HVAC/R and electrical and are expected to graduate job-ready.
• $1,500 scholarships: Students may apply for StrataTech’s Alternative Adult Education Scholarship to offset tuition, used alongside other funding sources.
• Career transition support: Eight Million Stories and StrataTech will collaborate with TWS’s Career Services department to assist graduates with résumé writing, online applications, interview preparation and job placement in their fields.
• Ongoing mentorship: Students will gain authentic relationships with instructors, career coaches and alumni who model the positive attitude and professionalism championed at TWS.

“Our mission has always been to meet learners where they are and help them reach their professional goals,” said Jenny Pacheco, StrataTech’s assistant vice president of agency partnerships. “Partnering with Eight Million Stories enables us to extend that mission to at-promise young adults who deserve every opportunity to succeed.”

StrataTech’s portfolio of skilled trade schools including TWS campuses in Houston, Dallas Metro, Tulsa and Jacksonville, and The Refrigeration School Inc. (RSI) in Phoenix, aim to provide critical skills training for the nation’s growing need for professional, accredited tradespeople. Through a student-centric model, StrataTech emphasizes professional character, hands-on experience and classroom instruction to prepare graduates for success.

The Alternative Adult Education Scholarship program is designed to show StrataTech’s commitment to supporting students’ path to their careers.

����ֱ�� Eight Million Stories

Eight Million Stories is a Houston-based 501(c)(3) organization that empowers at-promise youth and young adults (ages 9-24) through education, skills training, and transformative relationships. Since 2017, they have helped thousands of students earn high-school credentials, secure employment and build brighter futures. Learn more at

����ֱ�� Tulsa Welding Schools (TWS)

Established in 1949 in Tulsa, Okla., Tulsa Welding School (TWS) is a leading technical training institution specializing in hands-on education for high-demand skilled trades, with campuses in Tulsa, Jacksonville, Houston and the Dallas Metro area (Irving, TX). TWS offers programs in welding, HVAC/R, electrical, and electro-mechanical technologies. The school emphasizes practical training to prepare students for entry-level careers across various industries, including manufacturing, construction and energy. TWS was ranked in the top five percent of all 4,600 colleges evaluated for 10-year ROI by the 2025 Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce study. TWS is committed to supporting students through career services and partnerships with employers to facilitate job placement upon graduation. Visit for more information.

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 focuses on the education, growth and development of specialized career education schools, particularly skilled-trade programs designed to address the nation’s growing infrastructure needs. Holding an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau, ����ֱ��’s portfolio includes ,�� (Tulsa, OK),�� (FL), Tulsa Welding School & Technology Center (Houston) and  (TX). For more information, visit .

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Georgetown University evaluated 4,600 colleges and universities for 10-year ROI

PHOENIX (July 14, 2025) – an operator of skilled trade schools: The Refrigeration School, Inc. (RSI) in Phoenix and Tulsa Welding School (TWS) with locations in Tulsa, Jacksonville, Houston, and Dallas Metro, is proud to announce that TWS Houston and TWS Jacksonville recently ranked in the top five percent of schools for return on investment (ROI) in a study conducted by Georgetown University Center on Education and Workforce.

Georgetown University’s research evaluated 4,600 colleges and universities on ROI at 10 years, 15 years, 20 years, 30 years, and 40 years after graduation. The study focused on five institution-level variables associated with ROI including acceptance rates, graduation rates, percentage of degrees offered in STEM fields, the number of undergraduates who receive federal aid and the number of Pell Grant recipients.

Both TWS campuses were evaluated for 10-year ROI. The results showcase StrataTech’s exemplary student outcomes in both graduation rates and professional long-term success.

“We are proud to be recognized by Georgetown University, as it validates the success we’ve had with our students so far and furthers our commitment to provide valuable programs to the workforce of tomorrow,” said Mary Kelly, CEO and president of StrataTech. “This recognition is clear evidence on the value of a career in the skilled trades – our students go on to have rewarding lives with earnings that greatly outweigh the initial investment in their education.”

ROI can often tip the scale when prospective students are deciding which institution to attend, whether college, university or trade school. StrataTech aims to lead the way in education for the professional trade industries; the results of this study display a strong indicator of the schools’ successes, producing results in student achievement, career outcomes and community impact.

To explore StrataTech’s skilled trade schools visit:

To review the ROI study, visit

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focuses on the education, growth and development of specialized career education schools, particularly skilled-trade programs designed to address the nation’s growing infrastructure needs. Holding an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau, ����ֱ��’s portfolio includes , (Tulsa, OK), (FL), Tulsa Welding School & Technology Center (Houston) and (TX). For more information, visit .

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