Ford Technical Institute Addressing Needs of Metro Detroit Ford, Lincoln and Mercury Dealers for Highly Skilled Service Technicians

ALLEN PARK, Mich., July 2 -- Developed in response to local dealers' concerns regarding the declining number of qualified service technicians, the Ford Technical Institute is well underway to supplying a steady stream of highly skilled, quality service technicians to Metro Detroit Ford, Lincoln and Mercury dealerships. The unique training facility is a collaborative effort by Ford Motor Co.'s Technical Support Operations, Phoenix-based Universal Technical Institute and Metro Detroit Ford, Lincoln and Mercury dealers.

To solve their own recruitment needs and help address an industry shortage nationwide, participating dealers sponsor students by paying tuition, conducting an internship and providing a job.

"The Ford Technical Institute is truly an elite automotive training center," said Dave McClain, North American field operations manager at Ford. "These students are hand-selected to attend this program from Universal Technical Institute schools nationwide and receive the 'best of the best' training on the latest Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles. We're confident we're providing our dealers with top-notch technicians capable of servicing tomorrow's vehicles."

"Ford Technical Institute is a result of a successful partnership between Ford Motor Company and Universal Technical Institute," said Rick Jazwin, director of industry development, Universal Technical Institute. "We are training the technicians of tomorrow ... today."

The Ford Technical Institute -- which opened in November, 2002 and graduated its first class of 12 students in April, 2003 -- is a 17,000-square- foot facility that features state-of-the-art equipment, advanced tools and new vehicles for training students in the latest automotive technology. The facility contains eight service bays, two classrooms and a computer learning lab.

Students split their time between the classroom and an internship at a Metro Detroit Ford, Lincoln or Mercury dealership. Upon graduation of the 18- week program, the service technicians will have completed approximately 80 percent of all Ford Service Technician Specialty Training certifications. Approximately 70 students a year will graduate from the new institute.

To attend Ford Technical Institute, students must meet certain criteria. This includes completing a 12- to 18-month core automotive program at Universal Technical Institute, being identified as high performers and receiving a strong recommendation from their instructors.

The Ford Technical Institute is an expansion of an educational alliance between Ford and Universal Technical Institute that began in 1999. The two companies created Ford Accelerated Credential Training (FACT) -- a 14-month automotive service training program that gives students the ability to gain Ford credentials at an accelerated rate. FACT is currently offered at three of Universal Technical Institute's campuses, and by the end of 2003 will be incorporated into two additional campuses.

Phoenix-based Universal Technical Institute is one of the nation's leading providers of technical education training. The institute provides industry customers with professional technicians by offering entry-level, manufacturer- specific and update training in automotive, collision repair and refinishing, and diesel, as well as motorcycle, marine and personal watercraft.

Universal Technical Institute has seven major campuses nationwide, including Phoenix; Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.; Glendale Heights, Ill.; Houston; and Mooresville, N.C.; with locations in Phoenix and Orlando, Fla. specializing in motorcycle and marine training. Mooresville is the site of the NASCAR Technical Institute. The institute is the exclusive educational partner of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR).

In addition to Ford, Universal Technical Institute's automotive industry customers include Audi of America, BMW of North America, Jaguar Cars, Mercedes-Benz USA LLC, Porsche Cars North America, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., Volkswagen of America and Volvo of America.

Since the first campus opened in 1965, Universal Technical Institute has graduated more than 70,000 professional technicians. For more information, visit www.uticorp.com .