Volvo Cars USA LLC will contribute 36 new vehicles—including twin-engine plug-in hybrid vehicles—to Universal Technical Institute’s core automotive training program as part of its national Vehicle Lease Program for Schools initiative.
The effort supports Volvo’s strategy to work directly with UTI and other educational institutions to put state-of-the-industry technology into the hands of students training for transportation careers, and ultimately increase the number of skilled technicians in the field, according to the company.
“For nearly 20 years, Volvo has trusted Universal Technical Institute to train the technicians who maintain and service its products across the nation,” said Sherrell Smith, UTI executive vice president of campus operations. “This new program will give more students the opportunity to work on the latest technology in the market, ensuring they graduate from UTI ready to hit the ground running in a fast-evolving industry with high demand and earning potential.”
The new cars—to be delivered across 11 UTI campuses nationwide—will support UTI’s hands-on training with Volvo’s advanced technologies, such as collision avoidance and advanced electrical diagnosis, according to a press release.
In preparation for such unique access to such state-of-the-industry vehicles, UTI is revising its core curriculum to ensure that all students have the opportunity to experience learning on the Volvo cars in the lab, the release noted.
“Volvo Cars sees an increasing demand for qualified technicians as the company is rapidly adopting electrified powertrains across its entire lineup,” said Jeffrey Jennings, senior manager, technical training at Volvo Car USA. “Getting our hybrid vehicles in the hands of future technicians is critical to the growth of our business.”
Upon completion of UTI’s core training programs, students who wish to specialize in Volvo vehicles have the option to continue their studies through the 14-week Volvo Service Automotive Factory Education (SAFE) program, exclusively offered at UTI’s campus in Avondale, Arizona.
