College isn’t the only thing on the minds of future students.
77% of them are also thinking about what they need for a happy and successful life.1
Is a traditional university education necessary? Education at a traditional university isn’t the right answer for all students, and they deserve to know all their options before they commit to anything.
One of the biggest decisions every student will face is the step they take after high school. When making that decision, they should be thinking about matters like these:
- Careers with employer demand*
- Flexibility
- Opportunities for work/life balance
The Refrigeration School (RSI) has been training high school graduates for careers in the skilled trades since 1965. In less time than it takes to earn a college degree, can learn the skills they need to enter the workforce as an HVAC/R technician, electrician or welder.
The Skilled Trades Can Provide High School Students With a Bright Future
According to the American Welding Society, 336,000 new welding professionals are projected to be needed in the United States by 2026.*
Here are just a few of the industries where welders work:
- Aerospace and aviation
- Automotive shops
- Shipbuilding
- Construction
- The military
- Manufacturing
Where humans exist, HVAC technicians and electricians are needed:
- Homes
- Schools
- Hospitals
- Office buildings
- Factories
High school grads can make good wages in the skilled trades:
- The median salary for welders is $47,010 as of May 2021.2
- The median salary for HVAC technicians is $48,630 as of May 2021.3
- The median salary for electricians is $60,040 as of May 2021.4
Lifelong Learning
Welders, HVAC technicians and electricians are lifelong learners. Welders, HVAC technicians and electricians aren’t just workers—they’re students.
Trends in HVAC technology are always changing.
When welders acquire welder certification, they demonstrate that they have the brains and the skills to climb the welding career ladder.
Master electricians have worked their ways through the ranks, sometimes even starting their own electrical businesses.
Great skilled tradespeople are also great students.
High School Graduates Get Career-Based Training at The Refrigeration School
Tour the Campus
- Tour the main building, electrical building and welding lab
- Meet expert instructors
- Discover new career opportunities in the skilled trades
- See what RSI student life is like
- Meet our friendly staff and ask questions about tuition planning and student services
- Meet our Career Services team and get answers to your questions about career opportunities in HVAC/R, electrical and welding.
Find the RSI campus at the addresses below:
The Refrigeration School, Inc.
4210 East Washington Street
Phoenix, AZ, 85034
Additional Sources
1https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ELNjoRwi9ODTSAmT89CuCp3iGzjb7twp/edit#slide=id.p5
2Median starting salary for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers (514121) is $48,520 in Arizona through May 2021 http://data.bls.gov/oes. Average starting salary for Welding Specialist is $41,548 for RSI graduates employed during the 12 month period of 7/1/20 – 6/30/21.
3Median starting salary for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers (499021) is $50,420 in Arizona through May 2021 http://data.bls.gov/oes. Average starting salary for Refrigeration Technologies is $37,078 for RSI graduates employed during the 12 month period of 7/1/20 – 6/30/21.
4Median starting salary for Electricians (472111) is $51,300 in Arizona through May 2021 http://data.bls.gov/oes. Average starting salary for Electrical Applications is $38,022 for RSI graduates employed during the 12 month period of 7/1/20 – 6/30/21.