What Is the UTI Early Employment Program (EEP)?

There’s a demand for skilled trades professionals, especially those trained to work in the transportation industry. In fact, total technician employment is expected to exceed 1.9 million by 2033.³⁸

For those interested in pursuing a career in the skilled trades, getting hands-on experience and the right training can make a big difference. And it’s a bonus if they can form connections within the industry.

Universal Technical Institute offers several core programs that can help students get the education they need when applying for jobs in the industry. On top of offering an education, UTI also gives aspiring technicians the opportunity to participate in the Early Employment Program, or EEP.³⁶

The program was launched in July of 2019 at the Avondale, Arizona, campus and has since expanded to all UTI campuses and NASCAR Technical Institute in Mooresville, North Carolina. Keep reading to learn more about the features of the program and how it can benefit students.

EEP Helps Provide Industry Experience

EEP is a great way for students to combine their postsecondary education from UTI with industry training. This allows them to get a feel for what working in the industry is like.¹

Students enrolled in select UTI programs are eligible to apply for EEP and can be considered for:

• Part-time employment while in school
• Full-time employment after graduation
• Reimbursement for education-related expenses after graduation

Additional EEP opportunities may be available. For more details, reach out to a campus Career Services representative.

Local employers develop relationships with UTI and can participate in the program and impact the lives of students. Employers interview and directly hire students, just like most employment processes.

EEP gives students the opportunity for industry connections, which can help play a role in how they advance during their careers. Participating employers are most often the ones interested in investing in these aspiring technicians right from the beginning — and it can mean a lot.

The real-world, hands-on training students receive in the EEP program can be incredibly valuable when they start their careers. The program also benefits employers, as they’re able to hire and mentor the next generation of technicians from the start of their careers.

How to Apply

Participating employers in the Early Employment Program help establish the different eligibility requirements and conditions. These are discussed between the employer and the applicant.

A request for an application into the program can be submitted to earlyemployment@uti.edu.

Growth of the Program

The Early Employment Program originally started at the Avondale campus, but it’s since expanded to reach all UTI locations and NASCAR Tech. This growth is exciting because it provides opportunities for students attending any UTI campus to participate in the program.

UTI Senior Employer Account Manager Cindy Kostelac emphasized the push to continue growing the program, stating, “It was only at Avondale and Exton at the beginning, but the goal was to get it at all campuses.” Cindy was able to hit that goal through several outreach tactics, including introductions of the program to employers at the various campuses.

“I have a schedule of different campuses where we host employers. When we do these, we get a broader exposure with the employers,” she adds.

This campus outreach allows employers to learn more about EEP and gives them the opportunity to visit the locations where they would be sourcing technicians.

The presentations emphasize the positive impact employers can get from participating in the program, including the potential to reduce recruiting and onboarding costs and lessen turnover rates.

Cindy says participating businesses cover the many industries that students can explore through UTI programs. EEP also hopes to continue to expand and add more participating employers for UTI’s core programs.

Consider the Early Employment Program to Gain Experience

Giving students a head start on a career is the main goal of the Early Employment initiative. At UTI and NASCAR Tech, you can apply for the program and gain apprenticeship-style training that can make a big difference on your résumé.

UTI Exton campus President Bob Kessler says, “The program gives students a clear career path — bolstered by the confidence that employers are willing to invest in them from the start.”⁶

With a real demand for skilled trade professionals, there’s no better time to get an education that can help set you up for success, including the boost that can come from participating in the EEP. As the number of participating employers continues to grow, so do the options for students.

Interested in finding out more about the Early Employment Program and the opportunities that are available? Visit our website or contact us today!