August 23, 2018—Yesterday, the Universal Technical Institute (UTI) cut the ribbon at its new 108,000-square-foot, state-of-the-industry campus. The Bloomfield, N.J., campus marks the company's first location in the tri-state area and its thirteenth campus nationwide.
A week after the inaugural class of students began their first programs at UTI-Bloomfield, an energetic crowd assembled in the campus' expansive training facility. Among the speakers were Bloomfield Mayor Michael Venezia, Essex County Freeholder Carlos Pomares, Assemblyman Ralph Caputo, and Assemblywoman Cleopatra Tucker, representing New Jersey political leaders from the most local level to the State Legislature.
Those attending included major New Jersey transportation employers, many of whom offer tuition reimbursement programs and hiring incentives to UTI graduates. UTI partners with 30 of the nation's leading transportation brands—including BMW, Cummins, Ford, Freightliner, Mercedes-Benz, NASCAR, Peterbilt, Porsche and Volvo—who help guide UTI's cutting-edge training programs, invest in its facilities and give UTI students the chance to train on current vehicles, technology and tools. As a result, students leave UTI with the knowledge and skills employers want. Nationally, more than four of five UTI graduates are employed full-time in their field within a year of graduating.
"We recognize that with UTI graduate hires, we know we aren't just getting someone who can turn a wrench," said Terrell McCray, Northeast human resources manager for Penske Truck Leasing. "Students here are pushed to think beyond the classroom; they've already worked on the equipment and sophisticated digital systems they'll find in every Penske vehicle they touch, but, beyond that, learning to be a professional is part of the curriculum, and they have the classroom role models to set an example of how to conduct themselves in the workplace."
Overall, the campus represents a more than $11 million investment by UTI in the region. It has the capacity to train up to 800 students each year in automotive and diesel technology. Students can be ready to work in as little as 11 months in the 45-week diesel program and graduate the core automotive program in just 51 weeks. A soon-to-be-announced manufacturer-specific advanced training program will also be offered.
