History and Organizational History
Northwest Vocational Technical School (NVTS) which was established in 1975 by the General Assembly and became Northwest Technical Institute (NWTI) through legislation enacted in 1991. During the 1999 legislative session, NWTI was authorized its own individual budget status providing more local control and flexibility in the budget process. Up until this time the Arkansas Department of Education and then Career Education allocated funds to the various vocational schools statewide. Originally the level of funding was determined by achievement and performance reports submitted to the State on an annual basis and distributed to all vocational schools.
NWTI offers training and education in 9 diploma programs: Ammonia Refrigeration Maintenance Technology, Automotive Service Technology, Electronics Technology, Information Systems, Medium / Heavy Truck Technology Diesel, Industrial Maintenance Technology, Practical Nursing, Surgical Technology and Welding Technology. With certificate programs of Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC), Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Program and Phlebotomy. Math and Communication courses are also embedded into the required courses of each diploma program. NWTI offers several different Adult Basic Education classes and GED preparation courses through the Adult Education Center.
Plant and Location
Northwest Technical Institute is located in Springdale in Washington County, on Highway 265 in the Industrial Park area. The site consists of 38.5 acres of choice land dedicated by the Springdale Industrial Commission and gifted to the State of Arkansas to be used for a vocational-technical school. The original building of 25,000 square feet was completed in 1975. Two additional expansions to the main building of 3,000 square feet and 8,147 square feet followed. Separate expansions followed including the Adult Education/GED building of 3,100 square feet, the Diesel building of 5,600 square feet, the Automotive Service Technology #2 building of 6,200 square feet and the Collegiate Center of 18,585 square feet. Ammonia Refrigeration Maintenance Technology has a building located on a ten-acre site that adds 9,332 square feet to the facilities. The buildings and contents have a total insured value of $16,720,779.00 and consists of 86,176 square feet of floor space, including maintenance shops, storage facilities, and mobile classrooms.
Mission Statement
“Changing lives through education, training, and skill development.”
Role
Northwest Technical Institute has developed courses and programs intended to strengthen basic, occupational, and technical skills necessary for adults to become economically self-sufficient and provide agriculture, business, health services, industry, and government with skilled employees to support their respective ventures. Most importantly, NWTI exists so individuals may attain advancement or create a better life for themselves, and in turn their families. NWTI additionally serves the local secondary schools by offering Automotive Service Technology and Welding Technology at the main NWTI campus, Welding Technology and Automotive Service Technology at the Gravette campus, Medical Professions and Medium/Heavy Truck Technology at the Springdale School of Innovation, and Medical Professions, Certified Nursing Assistant and Dental Assisting at the Farmington campus in cooperation with NorthWest Arkansas College.
Governance
Northwest Technical Institute is a post-secondary educational institution operating under the governance of the Arkansas Department of Career Education. A five-member Board of Directors, appointed by the Governor, provides local control for the institute. In addition, an Advisory Council consisting of approximately 200 business and industry leaders from various occupational fields and levels of specialization and expertise provide curriculum oversight, needs analysis, and recommendations for modification and improvement for the diploma programs offered at NWTI. In addition, an “All School Advisory Council” required by the school’s accrediting agency brings the various program recommendations to the administration and Board of Directors for official implementation. Northwest Technical Institute is nationally accredited by the Council on Occupational Education (COE).
