StrataTech Education Group
StrataTech Education Group is a Phoenix-based private operator of U.S. skilled-trade schools, owning Tulsa Welding School and The Refrigeration School (RSI) and delivering 7-9 month certificate programs in welding, HVAC/R, electrical, and electro-mechanical technologies across five campuses plus a sixth opening in Atlanta in January 2026.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersPhoenix, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What StrataTech Education Group does
StrataTech Education Group is a private, for-profit holding company headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona that owns and operates specialized skilled-trade schools in the United States. The company was formed in 2008 when it acquired Tulsa Welding School (TWS), which had been founded in 1949 by two welders in Tulsa, Oklahoma; in 2009 it added The Refrigeration School, Inc. (RSI), a Phoenix-based HVAC/R institution founded in 1965. Through these two core brands StrataTech delivers hands-on certificate programs in welding, HVAC/R, refrigeration, electrical, and electro-mechanical technologies, with program lengths of approximately 7-9 months. As of late 2025 StrataTech operated five campuses — Tulsa, Jacksonville, Houston, Dallas Metro (Irving), and Phoenix — with a sixth campus (Metro Atlanta, Decatur) scheduled to inaugurate in January 2026.
The company's product portfolio extends beyond the two legacy school brands. StrataSkills, launched in 2022, is the workforce-development arm that delivers employer-sponsored training such as the Walmart Associate-to-Technician program. OcuWeld is a proprietary virtual-reality training headset developed in-house for welding instruction, designed to allow practice without physical tools or lab access. The portfolio also includes Top Welder, a competition and media property developed with welding influencers, and a 10-week solar technician course developed with Amazon's Career Choice program. StrataTech holds ACCSC institutional accreditation, state-level licensure (e.g., Arizona State Board for Private Post-Secondary Education), Title IV federal financial aid eligibility, an A+ Better Business Bureau rating, and Military Friendly School recognition.
StrataTech generates revenue primarily from tuition for certificate programs, with students paying via federal financial aid, employer-sponsored programs (Walmart, Amazon, Home Depot Path to Pro), the Alternative Adult Education Scholarship ($1,500), or out-of-pocket payment. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via campus-based enrollment and self-serve online information, complemented by enterprise partnerships with major employers (Walmart Associate-to-Technician, Amazon Career Choice) and community-led referral channels (Phoenix Job Corps, Tulsa Job Corps, Eight Million Stories). Customers are segmented across career changers and adult learners, Gen Z students seeking alternatives to four-year degrees, at-promise youth served through Job Corps and nonprofit partners, and employer workforce-development buyers. Leadership transitioned in October 2025 when Bill Nance was appointed CEO, succeeding Mary Kelly.
StrataTech Education Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- StrataTech Education Group
- Legal name
- StrataTech Education Group
- Website
- https://stratatech.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- StrataTech Education Group is a Phoenix-based private operator of U.S. skilled-trade schools, owning Tulsa Welding School and The Refrigeration School (RSI) and delivering 7-9 month certificate programs in welding, HVAC/R, electrical, and electro-mechanical technologies across five campuses plus a sixth opening in Atlanta in January 2026.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
StrataTech Education Group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Vocational Trade Education
- NAICS
- Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Apprenticeship Training (611513), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Arc Welding (SMAW/GMAW/FCAW/GTAW) Training (EDAOADAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Skilled Trades, Safety & Compliance Certification Prep (OSHA, HAZMAT, welding, electrical, HVAC) (EDANAIAM), Electronics Technician Training (Analog/Digital) (EDAOABAG), Welding Codes, Safety & Compliance Training (AWS/ASME/OSHA) (EDAOADAG)
Keywords
Where StrataTech Education Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Phoenix
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices7 records
Markets served
StrataTech Education Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Tuition-based vocational education programs: Revenue generated from student tuition for skilled trades training programs including welding, HVAC/R, refrigeration, and electrical. Programs range from 7-9 months for certification completion.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | HVAC/R and Refrigeration Programs |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Welding and Electrical Programs |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
StrataTech Education Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
StrataTech Education Group operates skilled trade schools through its wholly-owned brands Tulsa Welding School (TWS) and The Refrigeration School, Inc. (RSI), delivering hands-on vocational training in welding, HVAC/R, electrical, and electro-mechanical technologies. Programs range from 7-15 months and equip graduates with industry-recognized certifications for entry-level skilled trades careers. The company also operates StrataSkills, an employer-focused workforce development division delivering customized training programs for corporate partners such as Walmart and Amazon.
Product overview
StrataTech Education Group operates as a holding company for specialized career education schools focused on skilled trades. The portfolio consists of two primary brands: Tulsa Welding School (TWS), offering welding, HVAC/R, electrical and electro-mechanical training across multiple campuses, and The Refrigeration School, Inc. (RSI), the largest HVAC/R school in the country based in Phoenix. Supporting products include StrataSkills for employer workforce solutions, OcuWeld VR training technology, and the Top Welder competition series. The company provides vocational programs lasting 7-15 months that equip graduates for entry-level careers in manufacturing, construction, and energy industries.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- StrataSkills: A training solution division launched to provide workforce development and upskilling programs, including the Associate-to-Technician program with Walmart
Products and services
- Tulsa Welding School (TWS) Hands-on vocational training in welding, HVAC/R, electrical, and electro-mechanical technologies at campuses in Tulsa, Jacksonville, Houston, Dallas Metro, and Atlanta Metro. Programs prepare students for entry-level skilled trades careers in 7-9 months.
- The Refrigeration School, Inc. (RSI) Phoenix-based vocational school, the largest HVAC/R school in the country, offering training in HVAC/R, electrical, welding, and mechanical maintenance engineering programs that can be completed in approximately 9 months for certification.
- StrataSkills Employer-focused workforce development platform delivering customized training programs including the Associate-to-Technician program with Walmart, enabling companies to upskill their existing workforce into skilled technician roles.
Quantifiable outcome
- Top 5% of 4,600 colleges for 10-year ROI (Georgetown University study)
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use StrataTech Education Group
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
StrataTech Education Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
StrataTech Education Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Adams and Associates / Phoenix Job Corps CentercorePartnership with Adams and Associates (operating PJCC for U.S. Department of Labor) to provide specialized technical training in welding, refrigeration, HVAC and electrical. Up to 10 students per program with scholarships and tuition support available. PJCC serves young people ages 16-24 with federally funded career training.
- WalmartcoreAssociate-to-Technician program through StrataSkills, TWS, and StrataTech. Walmart associates receive hands-on training to transition into skilled technician roles. Won Brandon Hall Group Gold Award in Future of Work category. Program available at multiple TWS campuses including Dallas Metro.
- Eight Million StoriescorePartnership with Houston-based nonprofit dedicated to helping at-promise youth break cycles of generational poverty. Provides $1,500 Alternative Adult Education Scholarships, GED-to-training pipeline, career transition support, and ongoing mentorship. Collaboration at TWS Houston campus.
- Home Depot Path to Pro ProgramcoreStrataTech partnered with Home Depot's Path to Pro program to guide students interested in pursuing skilled trades careers. The partnership helps prepare students for careers in welding, HVAC, and electrical through Home Depot's contractor network connections.
- Tulsa Job Corps CentercoreScholarship partnership offering Gen Z students pathways to skilled trades education at Tulsa Welding School. Addresses workforce demand in Oklahoma through collaborative workforce development.
- Amazon Career Choice ProgramcoreLaunched 10-week solar technician training course for Amazon employees through RSI Phoenix. Amazon hourly employees can pursue entry-level solar photovoltaic installer jobs after completing the program. Part of Amazon's pre-paid tuition benefits for fulfillment center employees.
- Google Grow with Google Indigenous Career Readiness ProgramminorStrataTech joined Google's Indigenous Career Readiness Program to train Native students at Native-serving organizations. Part of PWNA partnership to provide transportation micro-grants and digital skills training. Helps address transportation barriers for Indigenous students pursuing skilled trades.
- Partnership With Native Americans (PWNA)minorPWNA receives $1 million from Google to embed Grow with Google program in schools. StrataTech participates to help train 10,000 Native students on digital skills and career readiness by 2025.
- Building Talent FoundationminorPartnership to support workforce development in skilled trades. Building Talent Foundation focuses on recruiting, training, and retaining a diverse workforce in construction and building trades.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
StrataTech Education Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- New England Institute of Technology: Private technical/trade school offering HVAC/R, electrical, welding, and mechanical programs. Comparable program mix, hands-on training methodology, and career-focused student value proposition.
- Universal Technical Institute (UTI): Public for-profit provider of skilled trade education with multiple campuses across the US. Both companies operate in welding, HVAC/R, electrical, and adjacent trades, serving similar career-changer and Gen Z student segments with employer partnership pipelines.
- Lincoln Educational Services: Public for-profit career college operator with campuses in multiple states offering welding, HVAC, electrical, and automotive training. Highly comparable business model, student profile, and federal financial aid dependency to StrataTech.
- Fortis College / Fortis Institute: For-profit career education system offering HVAC, welding, electrical, and skilled trades programs across multiple US campuses. Operates under similar Title IV regulatory framework and serves comparable student demographics.
- ECPI University: For-profit career college with campuses in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic offering skilled trade and technology programs. Comparable for-profit model, employer partnership approach, and student outcomes focus.
- Pittsburgh Technical Institute: For-profit technical college offering trade and technology programs including HVAC and electrical. Comparable career-focused mission and skilled trades program portfolio.
- WyoTech: For-profit trade school historically focused on diesel, automotive, and welding programs with multiple campuses. Comparable for-profit model, skilled trades focus, and career-oriented student profile.
Broad incumbents
- Penn Foster Group: Large for-profit career education provider offering online and hybrid skilled trades programs including HVAC and welding. Different delivery model (online-first) but competes for the same career-changer student segment at lower price points.
Emerging players
- Per Scholas: Nonprofit workforce development organization offering free skilled trades and IT training programs funded by employers and foundations. Competes for similar employer-sponsored training contracts and underserved student populations, though as a no-cost alternative.
Regional players
- Ashland Community and Technical College / Kentucky Community & Technical College System: Public community college system offering affordable welding, HVAC, and electrical programs. Provides competitive low-cost alternatives to StrataTech in overlapping regional markets, particularly in Kentucky-adjacent areas.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
StrataTech Education Group social profiles
Digital presenceStrataTech Education Group compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
StrataTech Education Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
StrataTech Education Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
StrataTech Education Group subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
StrataTech Education Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
StrataTech Education Group M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about StrataTech Education Group
What does StrataTech Education Group do?
StrataTech Education Group operates skilled trade schools through its wholly-owned brands Tulsa Welding School (TWS) and The Refrigeration School, Inc. (RSI), delivering hands-on vocational training in welding, HVAC/R, electrical, and electro-mechanical technologies. Programs range from 7-15 months and equip graduates with industry-recognized certifications for entry-level skilled trades careers. The company also operates StrataSkills, an employer-focused workforce development division delivering customized training programs for corporate partners such as Walmart and Amazon.
Is StrataTech Education Group a public or private company?
StrataTech Education Group is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently operating.
When was StrataTech Education Group founded?
StrataTech Education Group was founded in 2008. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is StrataTech Education Group based?
StrataTech Education Group is headquartered in Phoenix, United States, in the North America region.
How does StrataTech Education Group make money?
One revenue line is on record: tuition-based vocational education programs.
Who are StrataTech Education Group's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are New England Institute of Technology, Universal Technical Institute (UTI), Lincoln Educational Services, Fortis College / Fortis Institute, ECPI University, Pittsburgh Technical Institute and WyoTech. Penn Foster Group is listed as a broad incumbent. Per Scholas is listed as an emerging player. Ashland Community and Technical College / Kentucky Community & Technical College System is listed as a regional player.
Does StrataTech Education Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for StrataTech Education Group.
What industry is StrataTech Education Group in?
StrataTech Education Group's product category is Vocational Trade Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAOADAA, Arc Welding (SMAW/GMAW/FCAW/GTAW) Training, with a secondary code of EDANAIAM, Skilled Trades, Safety & Compliance Certification Prep (OSHA, HAZMAT, welding, electrical, HVAC). Its NAICS code is 6115 and its SIC code is 8200.