SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Universal Technical Institute (UTI) and Roush Yates Engines are partnering to develop a new Computerized Numerical Controls (CNC) Machining and Manufacturing Technology program and to enhance UTI’s specialized Power and Performance courses. The program will build on the curriculum currently in development by Roush Yates and will prepare students to succeed as entry-level CNC machinists, and position UTI to meet broad and growing industry demand.
Starting in 2016, following receipt of state approval and accreditation, UTI intends to offer its new CNC Machining program in Mooresville, North Carolina, home to both Roush Yates and UTI’s NASCAR Tech campus. Following a successful implementation in Mooresville, the company plans to expand the CNC program to additional markets.
UTI is offering the program in response to strong demand for skilled CNC machinists, who produce precision parts used in high-performance engines and a wide variety of trucks, motorcycles, cars and boats, but also in industrial applications, aerospace components and medical and surgical equipment. Across these industries, employers are reporting that they simply do not have enough skilled CNC machinists to meet their needs, according to UTI. 
“We are excited to partner with a company that has hired our graduates for years and is one of the most respected organizations in motorsports,” said Kim McWaters, chairman and CEO at Universal Technical Institute. “By building on Roush Yates’ substantial and specific expertise, and applying our 50 years of experience training professional technicians, UTI can give students the sophisticated, high-tech training CNC machining requires, and supply skilled CNC machinists to all kinds of industries.”
In addition, Roush Yates will enhance the Power and Performance training courses currently offered at UTI campuses nationwide. This series of three, three-week courses (nine weeks total) gives students specialized training in designing, building and modifying high-performance engines. The popular series is a capstone to UTI’s core automotive training, and covers topics such as cylinder head preparation, camshaft technology, engine assembly and working in a zero-defect environment, giving students skills they can put to work in the motorsports industry, or as service technicians for leading auto manufacturers.
In 2015, Roush Yates Engines and Ford Performance made history by capturing all four races at Daytona International Speedway including the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500, NASCAR XFINITY Series Alert Today Florida 300, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series NextEra Energy Resources 250 and the Rolex 24 At Daytona for the TUDOR United Sports Car Championship.
“Our agreement with Roush Yates will give our students access to technology right out of the leading shop in motorsports, making our students more attractive to potential employers,” McWaters said. “Whether or not our students pursue a career in high-performance engines, they’ll have the high-tech skills they need to be successful throughout the transportation industry, where demand for trained technicians far outstrips supply.”
“Partnering with a 50-year veteran technical educator that has a national footprint and the operational know-how to deliver the CNC curriculum lets us provide what students and the manufacturing industry need,” said Doug Yates, CEO at Roush Yates Engines. “We’re thrilled to partner with UTI to develop a leading CNC Machining Program in Mooresville, and to enhance UTI’s Power and Performance program. Together, Roush Yates and UTI will provide real-world industry training to the next generation of hands-on learners, and deliver the technicians we all need to be successful.
