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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., May 19, 2016 /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, has partnered with Infiniti in the United States to launch the Infiniti Technical Training Academy (ITTA).

The new Infiniti Manufacturer-Specific Advanced Training program is the first of its kind to be offered by a career technical school on behalf of Infiniti USA and will be introduced at UTI's newest campus in Long Beach, Calif., in 2017.

The 18-week program was developed in partnership with Infiniti. ITTA will give graduates of UTI's core Automotive Technology program, who apply and who are selected by Infiniti, a bumper-to-bumper education on Infiniti vehicles.

The rigorous program will include some of the latest technology in web-based learning as well as high-tech, hands-on instruction in Infiniti vehicle diagnostics, maintenance and repairs, customer service and dealership operations. Upon completion, ITTA graduates will hold numerous Infiniti-specific credentials and have completed up to 73 percent of the Infiniti Master Technician Certification standards. Upon employment with an Infiniti authorized dealer, an ITTA graduate could achieve Master-level Certification within 2 years.

Tuition for ITTA will be paid by Infiniti in exchange for an employment commitment with an Infiniti dealer upon graduation. In addition, graduates of the program will be able to receive assistance repaying their student loans for UTI's Automotive Technology program.¹

"Infiniti is pleased to work with UTI to offer a comprehensive technical training program for Infiniti technicians in the United States," said Nat Mason, director of aftersales for Infiniti Americas. "As Infiniti continues to bring new innovations to the automotive industry, it's important to ensure that we have a vibrant pipeline of talent to provide our retailers with trained, certified technicians who are at the top tier in their field." 

"We are delighted that Infiniti has chosen UTI to be the provider of training for the next generation of Infiniti technicians," said Chuck Barresi, senior vice president of Customer Solutions, Universal Technical Institute. "As demand for transportation service technicians continues to grow, industry partners are increasingly working with UTI to create training programs that are specific to their needs. Demand for technicians and for Infiniti vehicles is particularly strong in California, so our state-of-the-industry campus in Long Beach is a perfect fit to launch ITTA," he said.  

The U.S. Department of Labor reports there will be more than 1.2 million jobs in the diesel, automotive, motorcycle and marine industries in the United States by the year 2024. To reach that total, the transportation industry will have to fill more than 37,000 technician job openings on average every year.² Infiniti estimates that it will need to fill nearly 300 service technician positions this year alone.

"At a time when the industry has such a strong and growing need for skilled, professional technicians, the new ITTA program is critical," said Larry Hohl, Long Beach campus president. "It is designed around dealers' specific needs and, with UTI's state-of-the-industry facilities and experienced instructors, we know we will deliver technicians with great training and skills who will be ready to perform the moment they step into an Infiniti dealership."

About Infiniti: Infiniti Motor Company Ltd. is headquartered in Hong Kong with sales operations in over 50 countries. The Infiniti brand was launched in 1989. Its range of premium automobiles is currently built in manufacturing facilities in Japan, the United States, United Kingdom and China. Infiniti plans to also expand manufacturing into Mexico by 2017.

Infiniti design studios are located in Atsugi-Shi near Yokohama, London, San Diego and Beijing.

Infiniti is in the middle of a major product offensive. The brand has been widely acclaimed for its daring design and innovative driver-assistance technologies.

From the 2016 season, Infiniti is a technical partner of the Renault Sport Formula One team, contributing its expertise in hybrid performance.

More information about Infiniti, its Total Ownership Experience® and its industry leading technologies can be found at InfinitiUSA.com. For the latest news on Infiniti, visit InfinitiNews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and see all our latest videos on YouTube.

About Universal Technical Institute, Inc.: Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE: UTI) is the leading provider of postsecondary education for students seeking careers as professional automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle and marine technicians. With more than 200,000 graduates in its 51-year history, UTI offers undergraduate degree and diploma programs at 12 campus locations 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.

For information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program and other important information, visit our website at www.uti.edu/disclosure.

¹ Incentive programs and employee eligibility are at the discretion of the employer and available at select locations. Special conditions may apply. Students are encouraged to talk to potential employers to learn more about the programs available in their area. UTI cannot guarantee employment or salary .
² Based on data compiled from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2014-2024), www.bls.gov, viewed December 8, 2015.

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SOURCE Universal Technical Institute, Inc.