BMW AND UTI PLAN TO COMBAT LABOR SHORTAGES WITH SERVICE MEMBERS
UTI has partnered with BMW of North America to support an initiative to help relieve the labor shortage.
Do you dream of working on top industry brands like BMW, Peterbilt or Ford?
At Universal Technical Institute, you can gain specialized skills and certifications needed to work for leading manufacturers and dealerships after completing core programming.1 Our Manufacturer-Specific Advanced Training (MSAT) programs are designed to take your training to the next level as you prepare for a career in the automotive, diesel, motorcycle or marine industries.
While enrolled, you’ll advance your mechanical skills and be taught techniques specific to the technologies of the brand you’re studying.
Keep reading! Learn everything you need to know about specialized training at UTI, including the types of MSATs that UTI offers, the differences between student-paid and manufacturer-paid programs, the advantages of furthering your education at UTI, and more.
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The transportation industry needs employees who understand the specifics of their technologies. This is why UTI teams up with many leading manufacturers to create programs focused on their vehicles, diagnostics and performance specs.
UTI’s technician training core programs teach students foundational skills needed to prepare for careers in the industry. Your training, however, doesn’t have to end there. After completing core training in automotive, diesel, automotive/diesel, motorcycle or marine mechanic programs at UTI, you can apply to add specialized training created in conjunction with leading manufacturers.
MSAT programs at UTI can benefit both the graduate and the employer. In addition to being taught specialized skills in focused and accelerated training, students have the opportunity to earn valuable credentials to help elevate their status after graduation. These credentials might take years to earn otherwise.
UTI has a number of relationships with original equipment manufacturers. Students can choose from a variety of manufacturer-specific specialized training programs in the automotive, diesel, motorcycle and marine mechanic industries. MSATs offered by UTI include:
With us, you can build your skills from scratch in our core 51-week Automotive Technology program—that’s less than a year!7 Then, you can advance them in our Automotive specialized training programs to earn the credentials needed to work for the brand you studied for, with the majority of these programs lasting about 12 weeks and the Porsche-specific training curriculum lasting the longest at 23 weeks.15 At UTI, you could become a technician with a niche, brand-specific skill set in less than two years total.
Here at UTI, we offer a 48-week Diesel program that helps you build your skills from the ground up!7 Afterwards, you can step it up with our Diesel specialized training programs, all of which are just 12 weeks long. Take these courses with other aspiring mechanics, and you’ll be prepared to pursue a career as a technician with brand-specific skills in just a little over a year!
At Motorcycle Mechanics Institute, your training will begin with an 18-week core program that teaches fundamental motorcycle servicing techniques. Then you'll move on to a Motorcycle specialized training OEM program, most of which last 12 weeks, with the Harley-Davidson® program lasting the longest at 30 weeks. With us, you can learn and advance key industry skills in less than a year, allowing you to become a motorcycle mechanic specializing in servicing systems from top manufacturers.
Our 51-week program at Marine Mechanics Institute includes 33 weeks of core programming that teaches the fundamentals of marine system servicing! Then, students move on to a series of Marine specialized training courses, all of which last three to six weeks. Here, you can train to become a marine mechanic with brand-specific skills in a year!7
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Just like every manufacturer and dealership is different, each one of UTI’s programs is unique in its own way. In general, UTI offers two types of MSAT programs: student- and manufacturer-paid.
In student-paid MSAT programs, just like the name implies, the program’s tuition is paid by the student. All UTI students can apply for student-paid programs, and they’re a great choice for those who want to keep their options open after graduation.
Those who complete student-paid programs have the freedom to choose exactly how they use their education. For example, a student who completes Ford Accelerated Credential Training (FACT) gains a great advantage when applying for positions with Ford due to their specialized knowledge.
However, they aren’t necessarily obligated to work for a Ford dealer right after graduation. They could go on to complete an additional MSAT program if they wish.
The student-paid route can help set students apart from other job candidates no matter where their career path takes them. Employers look highly upon these programs, and there is a significant investment from dealers in the vehicles, tools and equipment used in these programs. This means students are training with state-of-the-industry technology.
In manufacturer-paid programs, the program tuition is paid by the manufacturer and could lead to a position with a dealership upon successful completion.15 These programs, like the Porsche Technology Apprenticeship Program (PTAP), are more select. Students must meet specific requirements related to GPA, attendance and several other factors in order to apply.
From here, they’ll go through an interview process with an advanced training manager to see if it’s the right fit for both the student and the manufacturer. Students who complete these programs commit to working for a dealer for a fixed period of time (typically 1 to 2 years) after graduation.1
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Completing an MSAT program requires hard work, dedication and commitment. However, the advantages can be great. Students who complete core training can look for jobs right after graduation, but going the extra mile by pursuing a specialized training program can help you gain an edge when looking for opportunities to start your career.
Here are four reasons to consider specialized training at UTI:
Overall, UTI’s MSAT programs provide a great way to help graduates get a leg up on the competition and set themselves up for a fulfilling career. Specialized training is truly an investment in your future. If you have the passion, we have the training that can help get you on the path to where you want to go!
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Specialized training at UTI boasts a host of advantages, including enhanced employability, brand-specific knowledge and access to state-of-the-industry technology.1 Graduates emerge with certifications that can set them apart in a competitive job market, helping them stand out to potential employers looking for skilled technicians uniquely educated in certain manufacturer’s standards.
UTI’s manufacturer programs are structured to provide a blend of hands-on training and classroom instruction, focusing on the technology and practices of specific brands.18 Each MSAT program is tailored to meet the needs of the manufacturer, ensuring that students are taught relevant skills while also having the opportunity to earn certifications recognized in the industry.
The duration of specialized training at UTI varies depending on the specific MSAT program, but most can be completed within a few months to a year following the core programs. This timeline allows students to swiftly transition from training to pursuing employment, positioning them for timely entry into the workforce after graduation.
UTI’s manufacturer programs are designed to be completed after core technician training, often extending the total training period by a few months. The exact duration can vary depending on the specific manufacturer and program requirements, but the focus is always on delivering quality education that prepares graduates to pursue entry-level positions in the industry.
UTI sets itself apart from other vocational schools through its exclusive relationships with leading manufacturers, providing students with access to specialized training directly aligned with industry needs. Additionally, UTI’s focus on hands-on learning and state-of-the-industry technology ensures that students are not just learning theory, but also acquiring practical skills that are immediately applicable in the workplace.18
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Specialized training can elevate your industry skills to the next level, which can help make you stand out to potential employers after graduating.1
Interested in learning more about specialized training at UTI? Learn more on our Manufacturer-Specific Training page. If you have questions, request more information or call us at 1-800-834-7308—we’re here to help!
Universal Technical Institute of Illinois, Inc. is approved by the Division of Private Business and Vocational Schools of the Illinois Board of Higher Education.