Students Take the Checkered Flag: NASCAR Technical Institute Celebrates Inaugural Graduating Class
MOORESVILLE, N.C., Aug. 8, 2003 -- Parents, teachers and friends watched proudly as the service technicians of tomorrow took the next step toward their dream careers today at the NASCAR Technical Institute's first graduation ceremony of 80 students.
Developed by the Universal Technical Institute, Inc. and NASCAR to boost the number of automotive service technicians entering the manufacturer, aftermarket and motorsports industries, the institute is the country's first- ever technical training school to combine a complete automotive technology program and a NASCAR-specific motorsports program.
The graduates, who began their studies in July 2002 as the institute's initial students, have trained to excel as entry-level technicians. The school provides coursework in engine construction, electrical, fuel and lubrication systems, drive trains, body and chassis fabrication and racing theory principles.
"Our graduates are entering a career field with exciting opportunities for growth and advancement," said Mike Fritz, school director for the NASCAR Technical Institute. "We encourage them to continue learning and improving their technical and professional skills."
While a few of the graduating students will go on to work for race teams, the majority will either help fulfill the auto industry's need for professional technicians at dealerships, auto shops and in the aftermarket, or will continue their education with one of Universal Technical Institute's graduate programs. These include manufacturer-specific training with customers such as Audi, BMW, Ford, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo.
The institute trains more than 1,000 students a day. Due to the school's rotation method, the school will graduate students every three weeks. A new group of students begin training every three weeks. The next graduation will be held on August 29.
Phoenix-based Universal Technical Institute, Inc. is the nation's leading provider of technical education training. The institute provides industry customers with professional technicians by offering entry-level, manufacturer- specific and update training in automotive, collision repair and refinishing, and diesel, as well as motorcycle, marine and personal watercraft.
Universal Technical Institute has seven campuses nationwide, including Phoenix; Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.; Glendale Heights, Ill.; Houston; and Mooresville, N.C.; with locations in Phoenix and Orlando, Fla. specializing in motorcycle and marine training. Mooresville is the site of the NASCAR Technical Institute, which opened in July 2002. The institute is the educational licensee of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR).
Universal Technical Institute's automotive industry customers include Audi of America, BMW of North America, Ford Motor Co., Jaguar Cars, Mercedes-Benz USA LLC, Porsche Cars North America, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., Volkswagen of America and Volvo of America.
The Motorcycle and Marine Mechanics Institutes' customers include: Harley- Davidson Motor Co.; American Honda Motor Co., Inc.; American Suzuki Motor Corp.; Kawasaki Motors Corp., USA; Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A.; Bombardier/Sea- Doo/Jet Boats; Mercury Marine; Polaris; and Volvo Penta.
Since the first campus opened in 1965, the organization has graduated more than 70,000 professional technicians. For more information, visit www.uticorp.com .
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