Feb. 11, 2020—Universal Technical Institute (UTI) announced a new California-based program to address the state's strong need for skilled automotive technicians.
The Early Employment Program, a program being developed in partnership with local employers, blends post-secondary technical education and on-the-job skills training to develop California's pipeline of skilled employees and give students an inside track on long-term careers. The program will launch at UTI-Sacramento this fall.
The new Early Employment Program offerings build on the success of several other recently launched programs in California, including the BMW Military Student Technician Education Program (MSTEP), which trains service members on-base at Camp Pendleton, and allows them to immediately enter careers at BMW dealers as they transition to civilian life.
Demand for skilled automotive and diesel technicians is strong. The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that, by 2026, there will be more than 1.2 million job openings (100,000 per year on average) in the transportation sector.
UTI's Early Employment Program marries post-secondary skills education with on-the-job training. When the program launches, students will apply for local jobs with participating employers as soon as they enroll at UTI's Sacramento campus. The program is designed to immerse students in an apprenticeship-like experience. Graduates who meet their employers' criteria will also receive reimbursement of school-related expenses and possible other incentives.
"The Early Employment Program fast-tracks the engagement between students who could greatly benefit from a technical education and the employers who want to hire them," said Tess Dubois-Carey, UTI-Sacramento campus president. "Students can earn a living and gain industry-specific experience while they're in school, and that is invaluable."
