Exton, PA – January 9, 2020 – High school students from across Pennsylvania and several surrounding states will travel to Universal Technical Institute (UTI) in Exton this week for the Top Tech Challenge auto skills competition. This event brings together two-person teams and tests their knowledge of automotive tools, systems, and repair procedures, with winners earning scholarships and tools valued at more than $5,000 for their high school automotive programs. The Top Tech Challenge will take place on January 11, 2020 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the UTI-Exton campus.
“The Top Tech Challenge demonstrates how technology and engineering principles drive the high-tech transportation industry, where skilled technicians are required to master complex digital systems,” said Bob Kessler, UTI-Exton Campus President. “It also gives talented high-school students a look at their options for post-secondary education and, at a time when so many young people are struggling to find good jobs, highlights the opportunities to build rewarding careers, doing something they truly love.”
After a written test, the top 20 teams advance to the hands-on portion of the competition, where they focus on skills including parts identification, diagnostics, electrical systems and the use of scan tools. Students are mentored and coached throughout the day by members of UTI-Exton’s staff. At the end of the competition, the top six teams earn:
- 1st Place: Snap-on tool chest and tool set for the high school ($2,365 value), and a UTI scholarship worth 100% of tuition for each team member.
- 2nd Place: Snap-on tool set for the high school ($1,695 value), and a UTI scholarship worth 75% of tuition for each team member.
- 3rd Place: Snap-on tool set for the high school, and a UTI scholarship worth 50% of tuition for each team member.
- 4th-6th Places: a UTI scholarship worth 25% of tuition for each team member.
Demand for skilled automotive and diesel technicians has never been greater. 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. According to a 2016 survey, approximately 60 percent of dealerships cited recruitment as their most pressing challenge.1
Schools can register for the Top Tech Challenge by contacting their local UTI-Exton representative or by calling the campus at (610) 458-5595.
About Universal Technical Institute, Inc.:
With more than 220,000 graduates in its 54-year history, Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE: UTI) is the nation’s leading provider of technical training for automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle and marine technicians, and offers welding technology and computer numerical control (CNC) machining programs. The company has built partnerships with industry leaders, outfits its state-of-the-industry facilities with current technology, and delivers training that is aligned with employer needs. Through its network of 13 campuses nationwide, UTI offers post-secondary 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). The company is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona.
For more information, visit www.uti.edu. Like UTI on www.facebook.com/UTI or follow UTI on Twitter @UTITweet, @MMITweet, and @NASCARTechUTI.
1 Source: Based on data compiled from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections (2016-2026), www.bls.gov. The projected number of annual job openings, by job classification is: Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics, 75,900; Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists, 28,300; Automotive Body and Related Repairers, 17,200. Job openings include openings due to growth and net replacements.
