SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Oct. 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- A surge of
skilled automotive and diesel technicians is needed nationwide over
the next decade, according to new employment projections released
this week by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
With its new 2016-2026 report, the BLS has more than tripled its
2014 estimate for the number of "new entrant" transportation
technicians necessary to meet industry demand. The BLS now
estimates more than 120,000 new technicians – on average – are
needed each year in the coming decade to work as automotive and
diesel technicians and in collision repair1. By 2026,
that equates to approximately 1.2 million new technicians
nationwide.
"The transportation industry leaders who employ our graduates
consistently say they need more skilled, trained technicians – and
now the demand we're seeing on the ground is backed up by these new
federal employment projections," said Kim
McWaters, president and CEO of Universal Technical Institute (UTI). "UTI is
well-positioned to help meet this industry demand as the nation's
leading provider of training for students seeking careers as
transportation technicians. Better still, our graduates are poised
to benefit from the strong employment market for their skills and
training."
"One of the biggest challenges we face is in recruiting enough
skilled technicians to meet the needs of our customers," said
Paul Neumann, Vice President of
Human Resources for Penske Automotive Group. "This federal report
should be a clarion call to students, parents and policymakers
about the growing workforce opportunities across the skilled
trades, especially in the high-tech service shops of the automotive
and diesel industry."
According to the latest BLS data, between now and 2026, the
transportation industry will require, on average, approximately
76,000 new automotive technicians; 28,000 diesel technicians; and
17,000 collision repair technicians each year to fill new positions
in the industry or to replace technicians who leave the occupation
due to retirement or other reasons.
TechForce Foundation, a nonprofit corporation focused on helping
solve the technician shortage, has identified a handful of primary
factors driving increased demand for new transportation
technicians, including:
- A sustained cycle of economic growth, resulting in more demand
for automotive and transportation services;
- "Catch-up" demand due to the number of technicians who left the
industry during the Great Recession;
- Workforce attrition as Baby Boomers reach retirement age;
and
- The increasingly complex nature of modern vehicles, which makes
advanced training a must for new technicians.
According to TechForce Foundation, meeting the workforce needs
of the transportation industry requires a coordinated and concerted
effort within the transportation industry to educate Americans
about the quality jobs available to technicians. This includes:
shifting outdated, negative public perceptions toward work in the
skilled trades, and building a stronger employment pipeline among
young students who've demonstrated an interest and aptitude for
automotive and technician-related work.
"It is going to take all of us working together to educate
students and the general public about the great career
opportunities in the skilled trades," said McWaters. "UTI students
graduate with strong job prospects and excellent opportunities to
build a rewarding career in the transportation industry. We're
going to continue partnering with our automotive, diesel and other
employer partners to help give this growing industry the trained,
ready workforce it needs."
About Universal Technical Institute,
Inc.
Headquartered in Scottsdale,
Arizona, Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE: UTI)
is the leading provider of postsecondary 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 campus locations across the United
States as well as manufacturer-specific training programs at
dedicated training centers. Through its campus-based school system,
UTI provides specialized postsecondary 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/. 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.
For further information: Jody
Kent, Vice President of Communications, Universal Technical Institute, Inc.,
623-445-0872.
1 Source: Based on data compiled from the U.S.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections (2016-2026),
www.bls.gov, viewed October 24, 2017. Figure includes job
openings due to growth and net replacements in the following job
classifications: Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
(49-3023); Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
(49-3031); and Automotive Body and Related Repairers (49-3021). UTI
cannot guarantee employment or salary.
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SOURCE Universal Technical
Institute, Inc.