Changing Gears documentary gets aspiring technicians revved-up about transportation careers

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Nov. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Buckle up ...

Universal Technical Institute (NYSE: UTI), together with Roadtrip Nation, TechForce Foundation and KQED, is proud to present Changing Gears – an inspiring new documentary that takes viewers under the hood of one of today's most exciting and growing industries.

The film, which begins airing in markets across the country this month, is part of Roadtrip Nation's award-winning career exploration documentary series. Changing Gears follows three aspiring automotive and diesel technicians on a 1,000-mile road trip as they interview industry legends and get a rare glimpse into the ins and outs of the automotive and diesel technician trade.

Changing Gears highlights a high-tech career path where jobs are abundant and pay well, and will expose more young people to the transportation industry and its fulfilling career paths.

"This film truly busts the myths and misperceptions that can steer students away from technical education and transportation technician jobs, and has the power to shift how millions of students, parents and educators think about this rewarding, high-tech career," said Kim McWaters, president and chief executive officer of Universal Technical Institute. "UTI is intently focused on building our student population to meet the industry's growing demand for trained technicians, and Changing Gears supports this work."

During the documentary, the road-trippers meet automotive and diesel industry leaders who've made it big by following their passion, including: Roger Penske, founder and chairman of the Penske Corporation; Sarah "Bogi" Lateiner, UTI graduate and host of the Velocity television series All Girls Garage; and Dennis McCarthy, picture car coordinator for the Fast & Furious franchise. Their conversations shed light on the most thrilling aspects of the transportation industry.

"At Roadtrip Nation, our goal is to empower people to define their own roads in life," said Mike Marriner, cofounder of Roadtrip Nation. "This film showcases real stories of leaders and change-makers who have carved their own pathways as technicians, while also highlighting technological advances in the industry, challenging stereotypical notions and stigmas of the trade, and looking at career opportunities in the field."

The pace of technological change, coupled with the technician shortage already facing transportation employers, has led to fear that the number of students entering training programs will be insufficient to meet the future demand of this growing industry.

The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics recently tripled its estimate for the number of new automotive, diesel and collision repair technicians needed in the coming decade. Approximately 1.2 million new technicians will be needed nationwide by 2026 to meet industry needs, according to the BLS.

"All of us at TechForce Foundation are proud to be a part of this project," said Jennifer Maher, executive director. "Our goal is to help students get the resources they need to pursue their dreams, and this film offers compelling examples of what's possible for technicians with a good education and industry-aligned skills."

To watch the film now, or to find air times for public television broadcasts near you, visit: changinggearsfilm.com.

To learn more about the project on social media channels, follow @UTITweet, @RoadtripNation, #UTItech and #TechniciansRoadtrip on Twitter.

About Universal Technical Institute, Inc.

Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE: UTI) is the leading provider of post-secondary 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 centers. Through its campus-based school system, UTI provides specialized post-secondary 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 uti.edu.

About Roadtrip Nation

"What should I do with my life?" For over 15 years, Roadtrip Nation has made it their mission to help individuals answer this question. Through best-selling books, an acclaimed documentary series, and interactive classroom curricula, Roadtrip Nation empowers people to turn what they like into careers they'll love—and helps them navigate any obstacles encountered along the way. For more information, visit roadtripnation.com and roadtripnation.org.

About TechForce Foundation

TechForce Foundation encourages and supports students to and through their technical education, and into careers in the automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle, marine, NASCAR, and other transportation industries through scholarships, grants, career development and other special programs. For more information, visit techforcefoundation.org.

Press Contacts:

Jody Kent, Universal Technical Institute
(623) 445-0872
jkent@uti.edu

Kelsey Cox, Roadtrip Nation
(949) 764-9121, x220
kcox@roadtripnation.org  

Jennifer Maher, TechForce Foundation
(623) 445-0933
jmaher@techforcefoundation.org

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SOURCE Universal Technical Institute