Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) has announced a new scholarship program with Universal Technical Institute that will pave the way for Club members to pursue a STEM-based career in the in-demand transportation service industry.
The program offers 15 full-tuition scholarships to any of UTI’s automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle or marine programs at its campuses across the country. The total value of the scholarship donation is nearly $500,000.
UTI is the leading provider of post-secondary education for students seeking careers as professional automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle and marine technicians. The company partners with manufacturers of more than 30 of the nation’s leading transportation brands, including Ford, General Motors, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Freightliner and Harley-Davidson, to ensure students are trained on the skills industry needs and graduates are ready to work.
In addition to the scholarships, Club members will have an opportunity to learn about STEM-based skills as they relate to the transportation industry through field trips to UTI campuses where they will participate in hands-on workshops. UTI will also conduct STEM demonstrations at selected Boys & Girls Clubs in locations where UTI does not have campuses.
“UTI has been an active supporter of Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix for years. This scholarship program expands our relationship to Boys & Girls Clubs across America by helping deserving young people who are passionate about cars, trucks, motorcycles or boats get a head start on their careers through these scholarships,” said Kim McWaters, chairman and chief executive officer of Universal Technical Institute. “Today’s technicians must be versed in STEM skills to diagnose and repair the complex systems that make up today’s modern vehicles. This is a great opportunity to introduce young people to hands-on, STEM-based training linked to in-demand, well-paying careers.”
“Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s primary goal is to enable kids and teens to graduate high school with a plan for the future. For many, career and technical education is a key pathway to their success,” said John Lewis, Senior Director, Workforce Development with Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “We thank UTI for providing this opportunity for our members to pursue their passions in the transportation industry and their continued support of Boys & Girls Clubs’ mission.”
Boys & Girls Clubs members who are high school seniors and have enrolled at UTI can enter to win one of the 15 scholarships to attend UTI by submitting a three-minute video addressing the following topics:
- How can participating in a STEM program help you succeed in your future career as a technician in the transportation industry?, and
- Provide an example of how in everyday life you utilize the information you’ve learned in your STEM program.
Complete scholarship application and eligibility information is available on UTI’s website. The deadline for applications is March 31, 2016. Scholarship recipients will be announced on May 2, 2016.
Nationwide, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that there will be more than 1.2 million jobs in the automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle and marine industries by 2024. To reach that total, the transportation industry will have to fill more than 37,000 job openings on average every year to help meet the need (per U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2014-2024), www.bls.gov, viewed Dec. 8, 2015. 2UTI cannot guarantee employment or salary).
Service technician jobs in the transportation industry pay well; cannot be outsourced or offshored; offer opportunities to move up; and build rewarding, long-term careers.
Accreditation & STEM
UTI’s campuses are accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. UTI participates in the STEM Education Coalition, a nationwide initiative to ensure science, technology, engineering and math skills are interwoven throughout its curriculum. UTI has been designated a 2016 STEM Jobs Approved College by Victory Media, which created the list to assist parents, students and guidance counselors in evaluating how well education is translating into real-world jobs and how responsive institutions are meeting the demand for STEM-based education.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (GreatFutures.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, more than 4,100 Clubs serve nearly 4 million young people annually through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun, friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 54 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta.
About Universal Technical Institute, Inc.
Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Universal Technical Institute, Inc. 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 190,000 graduates in its 50-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).
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