EVIT offers real-world experience for high schoolers

MESA, AZ - An East Valley school is relying on a more hands-on approach to teach high school students different trades.

The 35 tuition-free programs at East Valley Institute of Technology range from nursing assistant to interior design to welding.

The institute takes juniors and seniors from ten different East Valley school districts. They spend half their school day at the Mesa campus.

It gives students a taste for many different fields at a young age, said Kim Foulger, an interior design teacher.

Lauren McEwen is one of those students.

McEwen, a Desert Ridge High School senior, wants to design movie sets.

She feels the interior design program helps students acquire real-world experience that will later come in handy.

“I had to pick what colors to go with...you know go with the furniture, pictures,” McEwen said.

While she plans to attend college, she feels the institute has already provided a good experience.

Students in the welding program get experience and most of them end up getting jobs.

Leon Zamora, one of the welding teachers, touted the certification students receive when they complete the program that allows them to get solid-paying jobs.

There is a 96 percent placement rate when they’re done, Zamora said. And because demand is high in welding, the pay is solid.

Zamora estimates a student working in an entry-level position can make between $10 and $15 an hour.

He mentioned one student who made $22 an hour.

If you’re interested in having your child sign up for the institute, officials said there is still time.

Tyler Myers, a second-year student, wants to do underwater welding.

“Not too many people can do it. It takes practice. You have to have an eye for it,” Myers said.