Accelerated Program for the Car Enthusiast: Talking Ford with Barry Nelson

Barry Nelson’s journey in the automotive industry is as dynamic as the cars he’s worked on. From starting at the bottom to becoming a lead technician and service manager, Barry has experienced every aspect of dealership life.

Today, he channels his love for mentoring and training the next generation of aspiring automotive professionals as one of UTI's instructors, leading the Ford Accelerated Credential Training (FACT) program. If you're looking to pursue a fast-paced, hands-on career in the automotive industry, Barry and the Ford FACT program can help you get there. ¹

From the Shop Floor to the Classroom

"Throughout my career, I've held just about every position at the dealerships, from pushing the broom to changing oil to being the lead tech, and also the service manager." His vast experience in the field gives him a unique perspective that he now brings into the classroom.

Barry's passion for teaching emerged over a decade ago. "Being in the industry, I was mentoring and training the new technicians, and I decided that I got the most enjoyment out of that part of the business," he shares. This joy for teaching is evident in his commitment to helping students succeed in the Ford FACT program.

The Fast Track of the Ford FACT Program

Ford FACT, which stands for Ford Accelerated Credential Training, is a program designed to advance students’ skills and knowledge prior to applying for a role in the automotive industry. "When the students leave here, they leave here with 70% of the credentials needed to be a master tech," Barry explains.

What takes years in the field—typically five to 10 years—can be achieved in just 15 weeks through this intensive program. "It is very fast," Barry emphasizes, highlighting the program's efficiency in preparing students for the real world. ⁸

Hands-On Learning with Real-World Applications

One of the key features of the Ford FACT program is its focus on real-world problems. "The problems and issues that we have pre-made into these cars, transition into the real world," Barry says. Ford Motor Company identifies trends and warranty issues and builds the curriculum around these real-world challenges.

"The students learn the correct way to diagnose the car so they get it right the first time," Barry adds, ensuring that graduates are well-trained and prepared to be effective on day one in an entry-level role.¹

Barry thrives on seeing his students succeed. "I like the ‘aha’ moments when you're explaining something, and maybe they've done it over and over again, and all of a sudden just through one of our labs, they finally get it," he shares.

Keeping Pace with Industry Innovation

In an industry that’s constantly evolving, staying up-to-date with the latest technology is crucial. "UTI is keeping up with Ford and industry standards. We're evolving constantly," Barry says.

The Ford FACT program is regularly updated to include the latest innovations, and students can even return to retake courses as new curriculum is added.³⁹

Join the Ford FACT Program at UTI

The Ford FACT program is available across the country, offering students from coast to coast the opportunity to accelerate their career pursuits in the automotive industry.

If you're ready to take your love for cars to the next level, take a closer look at the Ford FACT program and our core Automotive program at UTI. Reach out to us to learn more today!