Universal Technical Institute

History

Universal Technical Institute was founded in 1965. UTI expanded its programs with additional curricula and opened new campuses, growing internally and through acquisitions. To address the needs of corporate clients, UTI started providing continuing education and training for technicians in 1980. In 1983, UTI opened a campus in Houston, Texas. In 1988 UT opened their Glendale Heights, Illinois campus. In 1998, it opened a campus in Rancho Cucamonga, California.

According to SEC documents, UTI worked with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the automotive, diesel, motorcycle and marine industries. The schools were a primary provider of manufacturer-based training programs where they provided technician training programs using the OEMs equipment and vehicles. These organizations included Audi of America; American Honda Motor Co., Inc.; BMW of North America, LLC; Ford Motor Co.; International Truck and Engine Corp.; Jaguar Cars, Inc.; Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC; Mercury Marine; Porsche Cars of North America, Inc.; Volkswagen of America, Inc.; and Volvo Cars of North America, Inc.

In January 1998, UTI acquired Clinton Harley Corporation and Clinton Education Group, Inc. for $26.3 million. Motorcycle Mechanics Institute and Marine Mechanics Institute (MMI) were operating divisions of Clinton Harley Corporation.

In June 1998, UTI acquired National Technology Transfer, Inc. (NTT) and Performance Training Associates (PTA) NTT provided intensive training seminars to technicians in sectors similar to the sectors that we serve. PTA organized lecture training seminars in markets similar to NTT. The acquisition of NTT and PTA was completed for approximately $50.2 million. The NTT business was discontinued at a loss of $42.9 million. At the time of its Initial Public Offering, UTI carried a debt load of $57.3 million.

At its peak in 2011, UTI had more than 18,000 students. Enrollment has been declining since then.

The 2012 Harkin Commission noted that: "Compared to public colleges offering the same programs, the price of tuition is significantly higher at UTI....The same Certificate costs almost 20 times more at UTI than it does at the public college." UTI's default rate, however, was relatively low for a for-profit college, fluctuating from 12% to 16%.

Universal Technical Institute has limited access to military bases for student recruitment because its programs have not complied with federal government oversight measures.

On September 27, 2016, UTI reported that its President and CFO, Eugene Putnam, was removed as part of a financial improvement plan and that Kim McWaters replaced him as President.

Enrollment and Campus locations

As of June 30, 2016, UTI's enrollment was 10,300 students.

Universal Technical Institute (UTI)

Universal Technical Institute provides technical training for students seeking careers in the automotive, diesel, motorcycle, marine and collision repair industries. UTI has direct relationships with approximately 30 OEM manufacturers, such as Ford, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Cummins, and Harley-Davidson.

NASCAR Technical Institute (NTI)

NASCAR Technical Institute is located in Mooresville, North Carolina - at the heart of racing country. The school provides course work in engine construction, electrical, fuel and lubrication systems, drive trains, body and chassis fabrication and racing theory principles. Students learn the history and rules and regulations of NASCAR, as well as a Pit Crew training program.

Marine Mechanics Institute (MMI)

The school provides course work in marine technology with a focus on manufacturer-specific training for Volvo Penta, Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki Outboard, Mercury Marine and other major marine manufacturers.

Motorcycle Mechanics Institute (MMI)

The school provides course work for a customized career education with Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha, BMW, and Harley-Davidson manufacturer-specific courses.

Lawsuits, Investigations, and Sanctions

In 2011, a former employee filed a lawsuit accusing UTI of violating Title IV regulations that bar incentive compensation for admissions representatives. UTI settled out of court with the employee.

UTI has been under investigation by the Massachusetts Attorney General for allegedly submitting false claims "to the Commonwealth relating to student loans, guarantees and grants provided to students at our Norwood, Massachusetts campus."

UTI is also under investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina.

In 2015, one program at the Norwood, Massachusetts campus did not achieve the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges' (ACCSC) graduation or employment benchmarks and was placed on heightened monitoring status.