Press Release:

StrataTech Education Group and Eight Million Stories Partner to Open Skilled-Trade Pathways for At-Promise Youth

Collaboration offers $1,500 scholarships and hands-on training at Tulsa Welding School’s Houston campus to help students land high-demand jobs in the skilled trades

HOUSTON, Texas (July 7, 2025) — StrataTech Education Group (StrataTech), a national leader in skilled- trade career education, today announced a strategic partnership with Eight Million Stories, a nonprofit dedicated to helping at-promise youth and young adults break cycles of generational poverty. Together, the organizations will provide a seamless path from earning a GED or high-school diploma to completing specialized training at the Tulsa Welding School (TWS) Houston campus and entering the workforce.

“This partnership supercharges our mission,” said Marvin Pierre, co-founder and executive director of Eight Million Stories. “By pairing our academic and life-skills services with StrataTech’s industry-recognized training, we’re giving young people the credentials, confidence and connections they need to secure a career.”

The partnership will offer:

• Education and training pipeline: Students who complete their GED or high-school diploma can enroll in TWS’s skilled-trade programs including welding, HVAC/R and electrical and are expected to graduate job-ready.

• $1,500 scholarships: Students may apply for StrataTech’s Alternative Adult Education Scholarship to offset tuition, used alongside other funding sources.

• Career transition support: Eight Million Stories and StrataTech will collaborate with TWS’s Career Services department to assist graduates with résumé writing, online applications, interview preparation and job placement in their fields.

• Ongoing mentorship: Students will gain authentic relationships with instructors, career coaches and alumni who model the positive attitude and professionalism championed at TWS.

“Our mission has always been to meet learners where they are and help them reach their professional goals,” said Jenny Pacheco, StrataTech’s assistant vice president of agency partnerships. “Partnering with Eight Million Stories enables us to extend that mission to at-promise young adults who deserve every opportunity to succeed.”

StrataTech’s portfolio of skilled trade schools including TWS campuses in Houston, Dallas Metro, Tulsa and Jacksonville, and The Refrigeration School Inc. (RSI) in Phoenix, aim to provide critical skills training for the nation’s growing need for professional, accredited tradespeople. Through a student-centric model, StrataTech emphasizes professional character, hands-on experience and classroom instruction to prepare graduates for success.

The Alternative Adult Education Scholarship program is designed to show StrataTech’s commitment to supporting students’ path to their careers.

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About Eight Million Stories

Eight Million Stories is a Houston-based 501(c)(3) organization that empowers at-promise youth and young adults (ages 9-24) through education, skills training, and transformative relationships. Since 2017, they have helped thousands of students earn high-school credentials, secure employment and build brighter futures. Learn more at www.eightmillionstories.org.

About Tulsa Welding Schools (TWS)

Established in 1949 in Tulsa, Okla., Tulsa Welding School (TWS) is a leading technical training institution specializing in hands-on education for high-demand skilled trades, with campuses in Tulsa, Jacksonville, Houston and the Dallas Metro area (Irving, TX). TWS offers programs in welding, HVAC/R, electrical, and electro-mechanical technologies. The school emphasizes practical training to prepare students for entry-level careers across various industries, including manufacturing, construction and energy. TWS was ranked in the top five percent of all 4,600 colleges evaluated for 10-year ROI by the 2025 Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce study. TWS is committed to supporting students through career services and partnerships with employers to facilitate job placement upon graduation. Visit www.tws.edu for more information.

About StrataTech Education Group

StrataTech Education Group focuses on the education, growth and development of specialized career education schools, particularly skilled-trade programs designed to address the nation’s growing infrastructure needs. Holding an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau, StrataTech Education Group’s portfolio includes The Refrigeration School, Inc. (RSI) (Phoenix), Tulsa Welding School (TWS) (Tulsa, OK), Tulsa Welding School Jacksonville (FL), Tulsa Welding School & Technology Center (Houston)and Tulsa Welding School Dallas (TX). For more information, visit StrataTech.com.