BROADVIEW, Ill. (Sept. 29, 2015) — Robert Bosch L.L.C. will sponsor Universal Technical Institute (UTI) for the next five years, providing automotive parts, equipment and training support at all UTI campuses nationwide.
Bosch also will provide tuition assistance and a part-time employment program to students at the Lisle, Ill., campus through the UTI Foundation.
“We're excited to expand our continuing relationship with Bosch Automotive Aftermarket North America to integrate their high-quality products and advanced training aids into our labs across the country,” said Dennis Hendrix, vice president of industry alliances at UTI.
“This partnership will enhance our efforts to train students using the latest products, materials, tools and technologies and equip them with the skills employers are looking for. Our partnership with Bosch will assist our graduates in building successful careers in the growing transportation industry.”
The parties did not disclose the value of Bosch's sponsorship commitment.
The sponsorship program includes:
- Parts program that provides discounts and rebates to make it easier for instructors at UTI campus locations to obtain Bosch products for instruction and demonstration purposes. Additionally, each campus will have the opportunity to qualify for an annual credit of $1,000 based on total product shipped.
- Training support in which Bosch will offer periodic “Lunch and Learn” sessions at UTI campuses. Bosch associates will present sessions to educate UTI students and faculty on the latest industry technology innovations and products.
Bosch also will host one-day Bosch Xperience mobile training stops at UTI campuses. The Bosch Xperience puts a group of six participants in a virtual workshop where they work through a series of real-world vehicle problem scenarios. Competing against each other, the group will go through the entire repair process—identifying faults, selecting parts and completing the repair.
Bosch will work with UTI corporate to provide training materials, posters, educational graphics and other items to be displayed at each facility.
- Tuition assistance through the Bosch Automotive Student Technician Assistance Fund to current, active UTI-Lisle campus students who demonstrate financial hardship. A total of 25 Accelerate! Tuition awards for $1,000 each will be made over the term of the agreement.
- “Pedal to the Metal” program through the UTI Foundation for UTI-Lisle campus students in which qualifying students may apply for a $500 tuition scholarship and the opportunity to participate in a three-month paid internship-type assignment at a local Bosch Car Service center, with the opportunity to earn an additional $2,000 upon successful completion of the assignment.
“As automotive manufacturers are continually challenged to improve the fuel efficiency of their vehicles, new and more sophisticated vehicle systems will be developed at a much faster rate,” said Bobby Bloom, vice president, Bosch Automotive Aftermarket N.A.
“This means that training of future generations of technicians is a critical factor for efficient, effective vehicle service. As the developer of many of these new systems, Bosch can be a valuable resource to young technicians as they're preparing to enter the marketplace, arming them with the parts and equipment knowledge — as well as the diagnostic and service training — to make them a highly sought-after asset in for any repair shop.”