Universal Technical Institute (UTI) has formalized an agreement with General Motors Co. (GM) to develop a 12-week elective training program for UTI students. The program will first be available at UTI’s Avondale campus.

"The availability of qualified, trained automotive technicians is and will continue to be a critical area of importance for GM," said Mike Durkin, director dealer service and warranty operations at GM. "When looking at UTI’s industry-leading curriculum, facilities and student and employer support services, we knew we had a solid partner to build something great with, supporting a growing need for technicians at our dealerships across the country."

The development of this new GM elective program will help provide a steady flow of well-trained, ready-to-work technicians to GM dealers and affiliates, and UTI graduates will benefit from a specialized education that improves their opportunities for employment.

The curriculum for the GM elective program will be developed in partnership between UTI, GM and Raytheon Professional Services (RPS), GM’s training partner for the past 15 years, and a global leader and provider of innovative training solutions. RPS has partnered with UTI in developing a new blended learning curriculum for UTI automotive and diesel technology programs.

"There is no doubt that this GM elective will be a rigorous program that includes some of the latest technology in Web-based learning, and it will prepare students for the way GM technicians perform in the dealership," said Russ O’Brien, executive director of North America Operations at RPS. "We have worked extensively with GM to develop curriculum for their technicians, and we understand the high caliber of training GM demands."

Graduates of the GM elective will receive GM credentials that would otherwise take years to earn in the field.

"It has long been our desire to partner with GM, one of the most recognized brands in the industry. We are excited that they have chosen UTI to be a provider of top-notch GM-specific training to our students," said Kim McWaters, CEO of UTI. "While many of our graduates are currently enjoying successful careers with GM dealers, this elective program will provide dealers even greater access to qualified entry-level technicians who have GM-specific credentials when they graduate."