Earlier this month, Sundt donated $5,000 to the East Valley Institute of Technology in Mesa, Arizona, to support its Construction Technology Program. Upheld as a model for career and technical education by the U.S. Department of Education, EVIT provides students with advanced skills and training they need to thrive in the job market.
The contribution enables EVIT to offer students the latest in technology and training as they consider careers in the construction industry. The donation is one of many ways our company is addressing the growing skills gap and shortage of young people prepared to enter technical fields. We opened the Center for Craft Excellence in Phoenix last year to provide skills assessments and comprehensive training and development for equipment operators, equipment mechanics, industrial carpenters, pipefitters, ironworkers, electricians, welders and millwrights. Those who successfully complete the program earn national certification in their specialty.
Technical education programs are searching for ways to fund their programs, including support from the private sector. EVIT programs are tuition-free to high school students who live in 10 East Valley districts. The students, including some from charter schools and home-schooling, spend half their day at EVIT. Along with construction training, EVIT features classes in business management, culinary arts, nursing, public safety and biosciences.