Technician Demand Rises, Universal Technical Institute Funds $1 Million Scholarship Program

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., April 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Technical Institute (NYSE: UTI), the leading provider of post-secondary education for students seeking careers as automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle and marine technicians, is expanding its scholarship offerings with the launch of the Industry's Choice Scholarship program. The program, which will be initially funded by UTI with $1 million, was developed to help students get the training they need to start a career in an industry that is in demand for skilled technicians. With the addition of the Industry's Choice Scholarship program, UTI awards more than $12 million in scholarships each year to support its students in achieving employment within a field they are passionate about.

"The Industry's Choice Scholarship is one way that we can help students lower the cost of education," said Kim McWaters, CEO of Universal Technical Institute. "Not only will this program help more of our students achieve their dreams, but it will help our industry customers meet their growing needs for skilled workers."

More than 30 of the world's leading brands choose UTI to train their entry-level technicians and the recent surge in technician demand is a positive indicator that the transportation industry is in recovery.

"Diesel technicians keep America and the world running and the need for skilled entry-level technicians is at an all-time high," said Wayne Kosko, regional training manager for Navistar International Corporation. "Our partnership with Universal Technical Institute to provide qualified technicians to fill the widening skills gap is an important factor to the success and growth of the industry."

In addition to scholarships offered by UTI, many of UTI's industry partners also provide scholarship funding, including Nissan North America, Inc., which helps students accomplish their goal of working in the transportation industry. It provides thousands of dollars each year to train technicians through UTI's Nissan Automotive Technician Training program.

"Nissan is one of the fastest growing global brands, which means job security for our technicians. We estimate that Nissan and Infiniti dealers nationwide will need more than 2,000 technicians each year through 2016," said Barry Fodor, manager, tools and equipment, technician recruitment for Nissan North America, Inc.

The Industry's Choice Scholarship program is for eligible, enrolled students pursuing technician training with Universal Technical Institute, Motorcycle Mechanics Institute, Marine Mechanics Institute, or NASCAR Technical Institute.

"This is a great time to get into the automotive industry," said Rick Lester, technician development manager, Toyota Motor Sales USA. "Toyota is growing, our dealers are growing and they need more technicians. Toyota Professional Automotive Training (TPAT) provides a great way of getting your foot in the door and starting your career."

For more information on the Industry's Choice Scholarship program, visit:  www.uti.edu/icscholarship. 

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 160,000 graduates in its 47-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. Through its campus-based school system, UTI provides specialized post-secondary education programs under the banner of several well-known brands, including Universal Technical Institute (UTI), Motorcycle Mechanics Institute and Marine Mechanics Institute (MMI) and NASCAR Technical Institute (NASCAR Tech). For more information visit www.uti.edu. Like UTI on www.facebook.com/UTI or follow UTI on Twitter @UTITweet, @MMITweet, and @NASCARTechUTI.

Media Contact:
Tina Miller
Universal Technical Institute
[email protected]
(623) 445-0943

SOURCE Universal Technical Institute