EVIT Tuition-Free Career Training: How Recruiters Help Students Find Their Passion

By: 88.7 The Pulse Staff

Even during the quietest weeks of summer break, EVIT Tuition-Free Career Training continues to change the lives of students across the East Valley. On the latest episode of the Eye on EVIT podcast, hosts Michael Mallace and Spike sat down with EVIT recruiters Chastain Duarte and Jayar Alberto to discuss how they connect local teens with life-changing, hands-on career training opportunities.

For high school students across the East Valley, EVIT represents a distinct, high-value pathway to future success. By offering close to 50 competitive, specialized programs, the institute gives sophomores, juniors, and seniors the chance to dive into actual trade environments completely tuition-free.

“We’re just getting the word out about EVIT to all of the East Valley high school students and young adults,” Duarte said, noting that funding from the state of Arizona covers the cost for high schoolers. “There’s an opportunity for pretty much everyone here.”

On the Front Lines: A Day in the Life of an EVIT Recruiter

When local high schools are in session, Alberto and Duarte act as the ultimate brand ambassadors, traveling to different districts to spark student interest. From structured classroom presentations to high-energy “lunch jams” featuring the 88.7 The Pulse’s own DJ Acee, the recruitment team stays busy matching students’ personal passions with real-world industries.

“We are really the megaphone of EVIT as recruiters,” Alberto explained. “If they’re not sure what they want to do in the future, pick one, see if you like it, go through it. All you have to do is try.”

The recruitment team brings its own diverse, real-world experiences to the table:

• Jayar Alberto: A recent addition to the team who moved to Arizona from Maui, Hawaii, following an 11-year career in behavioral health. He has quickly become the familiar face of the institute’s trending video content across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube (@evitnews).
• Chastain Duarte: An Arizona native with a background in education, photography, and advertising from NAU. As a proud two-time breast cancer survivor, she infuses incredible passion and perspective into her daily interactions with local youth.

EVIT Career Training Offers Real-World Learning Environments

One of EVIT’s greatest competitive advantages is its fully integrated, immersive learning environment. Rather than sitting through standard lectures, students train in facilities custom-built to mirror actual job sectors.

Instead of a generic school layout, students walk into fully operating business environments: broadcast engineering students run full-functioning radio studios and audio production suites, culinary arts students manage commercial baking environments and complete banquet facilities, future healthcare workers train in realistic medical wings, and cosmetology students practice in fully equipped salons and barbering setups.

Duarte emphasized that these instructors aren’t just teachers—they are licensed industry professionals who bring essential real-world networks with them.

“Our welding teacher says, ‘Our EVIT program is a daily interview,'” Duarte shared. “If you’re a student that’s hungry, you’re passionate about it, you show up, you’re on time, you’re working hard… when an industry professional calls, they’re going to pick out that kid.”

Reworking the Math: How EVIT Fits a High School Schedule

A common misconception among parents is that attending a technical institute disrupts traditional graduation tracks. In reality, EVIT is designed to blend smoothly into a student’s existing routine.

Students keep their core academic subjects—like math, English, and science—at their home high school, and then attend EVIT for either a morning or afternoon block during the normal school day. The program provides three to four elective credits per school year directly toward a student’s high school transcript, ensuring they stay fully on track for graduation. To make the logistics seamless, local high schools coordinate direct busing to travel to and from EVIT’s two campuses.

Why EVIT’s Tuition-Free Career Training Gives Students a Head Start

Whether a student’s goal is to jump straight into a lucrative trade or use their technical skills as a stepping stone toward a university degree, EVIT provides an undeniable head start. Graduates exit the program with certifications and licenses that allow them to earn highly competitive wages immediately, bypassing the burden of massive student debt.

For university-bound students, the technical mastery gained at EVIT places them miles ahead of their peers. Mallace noted that faculty at major state universities like ASU, NAU, and the University of Arizona consistently praise the advanced preparation and maturity of EVIT alumni.

“EVIT is for everyone, no matter what it is that you’re trying to do,” Duarte concluded. “Whether you want to go to college, don’t want to go to college, or you want to start your own business, there’s more than likely something at EVIT that will help you get to whatever that next goal is.”

Connect, Apply, and Listen On-Demand

• Learn More & Apply: Ready to explore high school or adult programs, connect with the recruitment team, or start an application? Visit the official hub at evit.edu.
• Tune In Live: Catch brand-new episodes of Eye on EVIT every Sunday morning at 7:00 AM on 88.7 The Pulse or stream live at 887thepulse.com.
• Listen On-Demand: Missing a show is never a problem. Past episodes of Eye on EVIT are permanently archived as podcasts and available on-demand at 887thepulse.com.