Nissan Gives $150,000 To UTI Foundation For Technical Training Scholarships

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., June 11, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Nissan's support of technical education through the Universal Technical Institute (UTI) Foundation has provided grants to more than 100 students over the last five years. This year's $150,000 gift brings the auto company's total charitable giving to the UTI Foundation (www.utifoundation.net) to $800,000.

Through its donations, the company established the Nissan Automotive Technical Training (NATT) scholarship. Each scholarship is worth $5,000 and covers tuition costs for the nine-week NATT program. Since introducing the NATT scholarship in 2009, the program has awarded 101 grants to deserving students.

"The NATT scholarship has given UTI students seeking advanced training the additional resources to advance their careers with the opportunity to work at Nissan," said Veronica Meury, UTI Foundation Vice President and Executive Director. "Nissan's support of technical education helps UTI students fulfill their dreams and become productive members of an innovative workforce."

"Nissan and its dealers continue to increase our vehicle sales and our rate of service retention for first year, in-warranty and out-of-warranty metrics," said John Spoon, Nissan Vice President, Parts & Service Division. "In the midst of this strong growth, we are aggressively pursuing a recruitment strategy to increase the number of trained service technicians. The Nissan Automotive Technician Training program at Universal Technical Institute is critical to our dealers filling this business need."

The NATT Scholarship Program is available at UTI's NASCAR Tech, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Orlando and Sacramento campuses. Students who fit the criteria, complete the application and obtain the endorsement of an employer, guidance counselor or instructor are encouraged to apply. Students must also commit to a term of employment at a Nissan/Infiniti dealership upon graduation and receive the recommendation of a Nissan or Infiniti dealer upon submitting an application.

UTI is a provider of technical education for individuals pursuing careers as professional automotive, collision repair, diesel, marine or motorcycle technicians. Students who truly understand and exhibit the traits necessary to have a successful career with Nissan/Infiniti dealers are chosen for the NATT program.

Additional application information is available on the UTI Foundation website at www.utifoundation.net.

About UTI Foundation:
The UTI Foundation, a 501(c)(3) Arizona nonprofit, is the umbrella organization for all Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE: UTI) not-for-profit initiatives and is dedicated to raising funds to support and encourage technical education for the automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle, marine, NASCAR and other transportation industries through scholarships, grants, career development and other special programs. For more information, visit www.utifoundation.net.

About Nissan North America:
In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.InfinitiUSA.com, or visit the Americas media sites NissanNews.com and InfinitiNews.com.

About Nissan:
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan's second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 267,000 employees globally, Nissan sold more than 4.9 million vehicles and generated revenue of 9.6 trillion yen (USD 116.16 billion) in fiscal 2012. Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of more than 60 models under the Nissan and Infiniti brands. In 2010, Nissan introduced the Nissan LEAF and continues to lead in zero-emission mobility. The LEAF, the first mass-market, pure-electric vehicle launched globally, is now the best-selling EV in history. For more information on our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/.

About Universal Technical Institute, Inc.:
Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE: UTI) is the leading provider of post-secondary education for students seeking careers as professional automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle and marine technicians. With more than 170,000 graduates in its 48-year history, UTI offers undergraduate degree, diploma and certificate programs at 11 campuses across the United States, as well as manufacturer-specific training programs at dedicated training centers. For more information visit www.uti.edu. 

SOURCE Universal Technical Institute Foundation