Universal Technical Institute and mikeroweWORKS Foundation Award $1 Million in Scholarships

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., July 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Technical Institute (NYSE: UTI), the leading provider of post-secondary education for students seeking careers as professional automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle and marine technicians, and the mikeroweWORKS Foundation (MRW) today announced the winners of the MRW/UTI Scholarship Program.  In total, 33 enrolled students will receive full-tuition scholarships for the core training program of their choice at UTI campuses across the country.

Approximately $1 million in tuition scholarships will help the winners obtain a technical education, preparing them for a high-demand career as a technician in an industry that is facing a shortage of skilled workers.

More than 270 finalist videos were posted on UTI's Facebook page for a public voting period, and grossed more than 28,000 votes. Individuals applied for the MRW/UTI Scholarship by submitting an online application and a short video making a case as to why they deserve the scholarship, while also highlighting their passion for a career in transportation. In addition, all applicants signed "The S.W.E.A.T. Pledge" (Skills & Work Ethic Aren't Taboo) to confirm their commitment to work smart and hard as they pursue careers in transportation, motorsports, marine and heavy-duty equipment industries.

"All of the applications and videos for the MRW/UTI Scholarship program were truly inspiring," said Kim McWaters, chairman and chief executive officer of UTI. "In collaboration with the mikeroweWORKS Foundation, we're thrilled to provide the winners with the technical training they need to pursue careers in the transportation industry, where the need for skilled, professional technicians continues to grow."

With 1,634 votes, Matthew Chapman received the most votes and will attend UTI's Exton, Penn. campus where he will be enrolled in the Automotive, Diesel and Industrial Technician Training program. In addition to Chapman, the most voted-for awardee in each program includes: Andrew Hammarlund (NASCAR Technical Institute, Mooresville, N.C.); Kevin Dacey (Motorcycle Mechanics Institute, Phoenix, Ariz.); and Peter Scholz (Marine Mechanics Institute, Orlando, Fla.).

To view the winners and their videos, go to: www.uti.edu/mrw.

Mike Rowe, the creator, executive producer and host of Discovery Channel's "Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe," and CNN's new show "Somebody's Gotta Do It," is challenging the idea that an expensive four-year degree is the best and only path for most people, while calling attention to thousands of career opportunities with companies that are struggling to fill jobs that require technical skill and expertise.

The MRW and UTI partnership specifically called attention to the rewarding, in-demand careers within the transportation industry. UTI works directly with top manufacturers to develop programs that meet the evolving needs of the industry, preparing students who are highly skilled and ready to work.

"Congratulations to all of the scholarship winners – your tuition is covered, now it's time to get to work," said Mike Rowe, CEO of mikeroweWORKS. "Get the training you need at UTI so you can land a great job in the transportation business.  After that, keep working smart and hard and enjoy an awesome career.  Oh – and be sure to drop by mikeroweworks.com someday and tell us about it.  Who knows – maybe you'll encourage someone else who never thought about a career in transportation."   For more information about the MRW/UTI Scholarship Program and the complete list of winners, please visit: www.uti.edu/mrw.

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 180,000 graduates in its 49-year history, UTI offers undergraduate degree, diploma and 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.

About mikeroweWORKS:  
mikeroweWORKS was launched in 2008 as a Trade Resource Center for people seeking employment opportunities in the skilled trades. The initiative grew from the hit TV show "Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe," and quickly turned into a grassroots PR Campaign for hard work and skilled labor.

As mikeroweWORKS began to challenge the stigmas and stereotypes surrounding "alternative education," Mike quickly became the most visible and vocal advocate for millions of available jobs that required "hands-on" skill. He has testified before both houses of Congress regarding the country's widening skills gap, the emerging student loan crisis, and the ever-changing perceptions of a "good job."

In 2010, mikeroweWORKS began to award tool scholarships, travel stipends, and other financial assistance to those pursuing a skilled trade.  The mikeroweWORKS scholarships are now synonymous with "Work Ethic Scholarships," and Mike has partnered with numerous companies and like-minded organizations to reinvigorate the skilled trades. Last year mikeroweWORKS teamed up with Caterpillar to launch a direct challenge to the marketing campaigns and beliefs that currently favor and promote four-year degrees at the expense of more affordable and more practical trade schools.

For more information, visit www.mikeroweWORKS.com, like Mike on www.facebook.com/TheRealMikeRowe and follow on Twitter @mikeroweworks.

SOURCE Universal Technical Institute, Inc.