Universal Technical Institute and mikeroweWORKS Foundation Launch $1 Million Scholarship Program

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., March 3, 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, today launched the mikeroweWORKS Foundation (MRW)/UTI Scholarship Program for individuals pursuing technical education at UTI campuses across the country. The Program will make available approximately $1,000,000 in tuition scholarships across all UTI locations^* for future enrolled students who are passionate about a career in the transportation industry. 

Mike Rowe, the creator, executive producer and  host of Discovery Channel's "Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe," 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 who are struggling to fill jobs that require technical skill and expertise.

"We are thrilled to partner with the mikeroweWORKS Foundation and join Mike's mission to spread the word about the importance of technical education and filling jobs in the skilled trades," said Kimberly McWaters, chairman and CEO of UTI.  "This new scholarship program provides hard-working men and women across the country with the opportunity to follow their passion and obtain careers in the transportation industry, where the demand for technicians continues to rise."

Transportation is the fourth largest sector in the U.S. (contributing more than $1 trillion of U.S. Gross Domestic Product) and today it comprises over 16 million jobs, as one out of seven jobs is within the transportation industry.  According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are more than 1.1 million auto, diesel, motorcycle, marine and collision repair jobs in the country and the need for these service technicians will grow nearly 10% from 2012 through 2022.

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. The MRW/UTI Scholarship Program will help more qualified individuals obtain a skilled trade education and bring the country one step closer to closing the skills gap.   

"As a country, we continue to put traditional higher education on a pedestal and accept the fact that students are graduating with tons of debt – and no job opportunity in sight," said Mike Rowe, CEO of mikeroweWORKS. "What we really need to be doing is supporting people who have a solid work ethic and desire to learn a useful skill. These scholarships are designed to provide people with the training needed to fill jobs that actually exist. We need more skilled workers in the United States. And we need them now."   

Scholarship applicants will be required to submit an online application and a short video making a case as to why they deserve the scholarship. In addition, all applicants must agree to sign "The S.W.E.A.T Pledge" (Skills & Work Ethic Aren't Taboo) to confirm their commitment to not just work hard but also to work smart. Application videos of eligible applicants will be posted on UTI's Facebook page for public voting.

Applications for the MRW/UTI Scholarship Program are being accepted from now through 5:00pm PDT on July 12, 2014.

More information about the MRW/UTI Scholarship Program can be found at www.uti.edu/mrw.

*MRW/UTI scholarships are available to eligible, enrolled students who apply and qualify except Pennsylvania residents and UTI-Exton students due to state regulations.

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. 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 grass-roots 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 became a non-profit Foundation and 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 profoundlydisconnected.com - 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.profoundlydisconnected.com, like Mike on www.facebook.com/TheRealMikeRowe and follow on Twitter @mikeroweworks.

SOURCE Universal Technical Institute, Inc.