Ryan Fink, 23, has worked in plumbing and as a machinist. But at
UTV Inc. in east Mesa, the EVIT alum has found his niche as a roll cage fabricator and roll cage welder.
“I had always been good at drawing, and welding is basically drawing with metal,” Ryan said at UTV, a company that manufactures and stocks parts and accessories for Utility Terrain Vehicles and Urban Terrain Vehicles.
Ryan is one of many welding students over the years at the East Valley Institute of Technology who have entered the local workforce where their skills are in high demand. At EVIT, they learn the trade in a program that is accredited by the American Welding Society as an AWS Testing Facility.
“We have instructors with industry experience in all the welding and cutting processes that we teach,” said EVIT’s lead welding instructor Leon Zamora. “Through our advisory committee we have a partnership with companies and organizations that hire our students in entry-level positions, apprenticeships and training programs that are a perfect start for them.”
While attending
Perry High School in the Chandler Unified School District, Ryan also attended EVIT for a half-day to
learn the basics of welding. In his senior year, he worked at UTV Inc. After completing the welding program and graduating from high school in 2014, he went on to work in the plumbing industry and also as a machinist after taking two machining classes at Mesa Community College. Two years ago, he returned to the workplace that he liked best – UTV Inc.
At UTV, Ryan is a roll cage fabricator and roll cage welder. He said EVIT prepared him for his career by giving him a good foundation in basic welding; his skills are now much more advanced from all he’s learned on the job. Ryan also credits EVIT for helping him develop good work habits appreciated by any employer -- a strong work ethic, showing up on time, being prepared, etc.
Ryan said he recommends EVIT to other students all the time. “People shouldn’t go to college if they don’t need to go,” he said. “Trade school will help you more if you know what you want to do in life. I know too many people who are $90,000 in debt (from college) and going nowhere.”
Welding is one of
more than 40 career training programs offered by EVIT at two central campuses in Mesa and branch campuses in Apache Junction and Fountain Hills. Training is tuition-free for East Valley high school students; tuition-based programs for adults are also offered, with financial aid available in many programs to those who qualify. Every EVIT program provides hands-on learning and nearly every program prepares students to earn an industry credential.
Many programs, including welding, also offer students the opportunity to earn college credit through partnerships with community colleges.
Over 90 percent of EVIT welding students are placed in jobs, college or the military within a year of their training. Of 123 Welding students surveyed in January, 98 percent said they were likely or very likely to recommend EVIT to a friend.
Students who complete EVIT programs have a 98 percent high school graduation rate and 2 out of 3 go on to college.
Enrollment for the 2019-20 school year is under way in all EVIT programs. For more information, visit
www.evit.com or call (480) 461-4000.
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