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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. and LONG BEACH, Calif., April 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- A new INFINITI Technician Training Academy (ITTA) celebrated its grand opening today at Universal Technical Institute's (UTI) campus in Long Beach, Calif. This advanced training program is the first of its kind for INFINITI and is exclusive to UTI.

Graduates of UTI's core automotive technology program can apply for the 18-week ITTA program. If they are selected and commit to working with an INFINITI USA retailer once they graduate, INFINITI will pay their tuition for the ITTA program in full. Graduates will hold numerous INFINITI‑specific credentials and have 95 percent of the requirements needed to be an INFINITI KEI Master Technician.

"We worked with UTI to create a comprehensive training program that will prepare graduates for a promising career as a master technician with our national network of retailers," said Andrew Speaker, director aftersales at INFINITI USA. "UTI graduates have a strong reputation for being well-trained, career‑ready workers. This partnership ensures that our retailers will have access to the top talent entering the automotive industry."

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.¹ INFINITI estimates that it will need to fill nearly 400 service technician positions this year alone.

"With demand for skilled transportation service technicians still on the rise, forward-thinking manufacturers like INFINITI are partnering with us to help build their technician workforce," said Walt Langley, vice president industry alliances at Universal Technical Institute. "UTI's close ties with our industry manufacturer partners and the advanced training that we provide make graduates more attractive to employers and can accelerate their career advancement. ITTA graduates who go to work for an authorized INFINITI retailer can achieve a master-level certification within a year, and significantly increase their earning potential in a field that already pays well and offers real career opportunities."

ITTA gives students 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.

The inaugural ITTA class began on March 27 with 10 students. At full capacity, the ITTA program will graduate 96 INFINITI technicians annually and become a valuable recruitment resource for INFINITI retailers across the country.

ITTA is one of more than a dozen manufacturer-specific programs UTI offers in partnership with the leading automotive and diesel brands in the country. On average, graduates of these programs are hired more quickly, earn higher starting salaries and are employed at a higher rate.²

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 200,000 graduates in its 52-year history, UTI offers undergraduate degree and diploma programs at 12 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.

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.

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 1^® team, contributing its expertise in hybrid performance.

More information about INFINITI and its industry leading technologies can be found at http://www.INFINITI.com/. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and see all our latest videos on YouTube.

¹ Based on data compiled from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2014-2024), www.bls.gov, viewed December 8, 2015.

² Based on comparison with graduates from core programs between October 1, 2007, and September 30, 2012.

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/infiniti-usa-launches-first-of-its-kind-technician-training-at-universal-technical-institute-long-beach-300441941.html

SOURCE Universal Technical Institute, Inc.