ATLANTA — NAPA Auto Parts and Universal Technical Institute Inc. are teaming up to support the future of the transportation and aftermarket auto repair industries.
NAPA is now the preferred auto parts supplier for UTI and will make its NAPA Autotech training program available to faculty. NAPA also will supply essential parts for hands-on labs including brake kits, rotors, bulbs, bearing kits, wheel weights and more.
The initial stage of the partnership will involve UTI, Motorcycle Mechanics Institute/Marine Mechanics Institute and NASCAR Technical Institute-branded campuses. It may extend to MIAT College of Technology-branded campuses in the future.
"We are thrilled to bring in a partner like NAPA Auto Parts to provide our students, staff and alumni with greater access to quality auto parts through one of the country's premier providers," UTI CEO Jerome Grant said.
"Like UTI, NAPA has a passion for educating and supporting individuals as they enter into a career path in the transportation industry. NAPA has worked closely with UTI for years, and we know they will be an active and engaged partner."
The entities said that, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand remains strong for skilled transportation technicians nationally, with an estimated about 110,000 total new openings each year for automotive, diesel, and collision repair technicians nationally through 2030, including net employment changes and net replacements.
With this partnership, UTI and NAPA are working to meet that demand by providing access to the necessary supplies for on campus training and connections with NAPA customers, they said.
"We admire UTI's commitment to providing state-of-the-industry training to the next generation of skilled automotive technicians," said Kevin Herron, president of U.S. Automotive Group at Genuine Parts Co., the sole member of NAPA.
"We are proud to support the industry by providing training and supplying quality automotive parts to the talented UTI staff, students and graduates."
Founded in 1965, Phoenix-based UTI has over 225,000 students graduates and 14 campuses in Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Texas. The campuses are accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).
