A Complete Guide to UTI's MSAT Programs

Do you dream of working on top industry brands like BMW, Peterbilt or Ford?

At Universal Technical Institute, you can gain specialized skills and certifications needed to work for leading manufacturers and dealerships after completing core programming.¹ Our Manufacturer-Specific Advanced Training (MSAT) programs are designed to take your training to the next level as you prepare for a career in the automotive, diesel, motorcycle or marine industries.

While enrolled, you’ll advance your mechanical skills and be taught techniques specific to the technologies of the brand you’re studying.

Keep reading! Learn everything you need to know about specialized training at UTI, including the types of MSATs that UTI offers, the differences between student-paid and manufacturer-paid programs, the advantages of furthering your education at UTI, and more.

Key Summary Points

• Specialized training opportunities at UTI: Universal Technical Institute (UTI) offers Manufacturer-Specific Advanced Training (MSAT) programs in collaboration with leading manufacturers like BMW, Peterbilt¹⁵ and Ford. These programs are designed to provide specialized skills and certifications needed for careers in the automotive or diesel industry, enhancing both the graduate's job prospects and the employer's value from hiring trained technicians.
• Types of MSAT programs: UTI's MSAT programs cover various sectors including automotive, diesel, motorcycle and marine manufacturer mechanic training. These programs are tailored to equip students with brand-specific knowledge of vehicles, diagnostics and performance specifications, offering both student- and manufacturer-paid options.
• Student- vs. manufacturer-paid programs: Student-paid MSAT programs require the tuition to be covered by the student, offering flexibility in career choices post-graduation. Manufacturer-paid programs, on the other hand, are more restrictive, with tuition covered by the manufacturer, and typically require the student to commit to working with a dealer for a set period after graduation.¹⁵
• Benefits of specialized training at UTI: Pursuing specialized training at UTI can significantly enhance a graduate's employability and career advancement opportunities.⁶ These programs not only demonstrate a commitment to the field but also provide in-depth knowledge of specific brands, access to industry-aligned technology and potential job placement before graduation.
• Why consider UTI for your career path: UTI's long-standing relationships with original equipment manufacturers and its reputation as a leading provider of transportation technician education make it an attractive option for those passionate about pursuing a career in the automotive or diesel industries. Specialized training at UTI is an investment in one's future, offering a path to pursuing career goals in the transportation sector.

Read: Victor Claudio’s Dream Career as a Lead Tech With the Ocean Always in Sight

Specialized Training at UTI

The transportation industry needs employees who understand the specifics of their technologies. This is why UTI teams up with many leading manufacturers to create programs focused on their vehicles, diagnostics and performance specs.

UTI’s technician training core programs teach students foundational skills needed to prepare for careers in the industry. Your training, however, doesn’t have to end there. After completing core training in automotive, diesel, automotive/diesel, motorcycle or marine mechanic programs at UTI, you can apply to add specialized training created in conjunction with leading manufacturers.

What is MSAT Training?

MSAT programs at UTI can benefit both the graduate and the employer. In addition to being taught specialized skills in focused and accelerated training, students have the opportunity to earn valuable credentials to help elevate their status after graduation. These credentials might take years to earn otherwise.

UTI Manufacturer Programs

UTI has a number of relationships with original equipment manufacturers. Students can choose from a variety of manufacturer-specific specialized training programs in the automotive, diesel, motorcycle and marine mechanic industries. MSATs offered by UTI include:

Automotive Specialized Training

With us, you can build your skills from scratch in our core 51-week Automotive Technology program—that’s less than a year!⁷ Then, you can advance them in our Automotive specialized training programs to earn the credentials needed to work for the brand you studied for, with the majority of these programs lasting about 12 weeks and the Porsche-specific training curriculum lasting the longest at 23 weeks.¹⁵ At UTI, you could become a technician with a niche, brand-specific skill set in less than two years total.

• BMW FastTrack
• Ford Accelerated Credential Training (FACT)
• GM Technician
• Mercedes-Benz Drive¹⁵
• Mopar TEC
• NASCAR
• Porsche Technology Apprenticeship Program (PTAP)¹⁵
• Toyota Professional Automotive Technician (TPAT)

• Volvo Tekniker Apprentice¹⁵

Diesel Specialized Training

Here at UTI, we offer a 48-week Diesel program that helps you build your skills from the ground up!⁷ Afterwards, you can step it up with our Diesel specialized training programs, all of which are just 12 weeks long. Take these courses with other aspiring mechanics, and you’ll be prepared to pursue a career as a technician with brand-specific skills in just a little over a year!

• Cummins Engines⁴⁶
• Cummins Power Generation⁴⁶
• Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) Finish First

• Peterbilt Technician Institute (PTI)¹⁵

Motorcycle Specialized Training    

At Motorcycle Mechanics Institute, your training will begin with an 18-week core program that teaches fundamental motorcycle servicing techniques. Then you'll move on to a Motorcycle specialized training OEM program, most of which last 12 weeks, with the Harley-Davidson® program lasting the longest at 30 weeks. With us, you can learn and advance key industry skills in less than a year, allowing you to become a motorcycle mechanic specializing in servicing systems from top manufacturers.

• BMW Motorrad
• Harley-Davidson
• Honda Hontech
• Kawasaki K-tech
• Factory Authorized Suzuki Training (FAST)

• Yamaha YamaPro®

Marine Manufacturer Training

Our 51-week program at Marine Mechanics Institute includes 33 weeks of core programming that teaches the fundamentals of marine system servicing! Then, students move on to a series of Marine specialized training courses, all of which last three to six weeks. Here, you can train to become a marine mechanic with brand-specific skills in a year!⁷

• Honda Marine
• Mercury Marine
• Suzuki Marine
• Volvo Penta

• Yamaha Marine

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Student-Paid vs. Manufacturer-Paid MSATs: What’s the Difference?

Just like every manufacturer and dealership is different, each one of UTI’s programs is unique in its own way. In general, UTI offers two types of MSAT programs: student- and manufacturer-paid.

Student-paid MSATs

In student-paid MSAT programs, just like the name implies, the program’s tuition is paid by the student. All UTI students can apply for student-paid programs, and they’re a great choice for those who want to keep their options open after graduation.

Those who complete student-paid programs have the freedom to choose exactly how they use their education. For example, a student who completes Ford Accelerated Credential Training (FACT) gains a great advantage when applying for positions with Ford due to their specialized knowledge.

However, they aren’t necessarily obligated to work for a Ford dealer right after graduation. They could go on to complete an additional MSAT program if they wish.

The student-paid route can help set students apart from other job candidates no matter where their career path takes them. Employers look highly upon these programs, and there is a significant investment from dealers in the vehicles, tools and equipment used in these programs. This means students are training with state-of-the-industry technology.

Manufacturer-paid MSATs

In manufacturer-paid programs, the program tuition is paid by the manufacturer and could lead to a position with a dealership upon successful completion.¹⁵ These programs, like the Porsche Technology Apprenticeship Program (PTAP), are more select. Students must meet specific requirements related to GPA, attendance and several other factors in order to apply.

From here, they’ll go through an interview process with an advanced training manager to see if it’s the right fit for both the student and the manufacturer. Students who complete these programs commit to working for a dealer for a fixed period of time (typically 1 to 2 years) after graduation.¹

Read: Terrence Strazdon’s Education at UTI Exton Leads to a Career at Lexus

4 Reasons To Consider Specialized Training at UTI

Completing an MSAT program requires hard work, dedication and commitment. However, the advantages can be great. Students who complete core training can look for jobs right after graduation, but going the extra mile by pursuing a specialized training program can help you gain an edge when looking for opportunities to start your career.

Here are four reasons to consider specialized training at UTI:

• Employers take notice: Completing MSAT training demonstrates to employers that you’re applying yourself and are seeking better career opportunities. Learning the specifics of a brand’s technology can also help give you a more defined career path to follow as you go into the field.
• Gain specialized skills: In UTI’s MSAT programs, you can learn niche brand information and gain certifications that might take years to acquire otherwise. Along the way, you’ll be taught by passionate instructors who have real-world experience, which can give insight into what a career working in the field is like. 
• Connect with leading brands: Many students who complete MSAT programs have jobs lined up before they even graduate.¹ If you have your heart set on pursuing a career working for a specific brand, this is a great way to get your foot in the door and explore potential opportunities. 
• Choose from a variety of programs: UTI’s manufacturer relationships go back many years, which has allowed UTI to establish a reputation as one of the nation’s leading providers of transportation technician education.

Overall, UTI’s MSAT programs provide a great way to help graduates get a leg up on the competition and set themselves up for a fulfilling career. Specialized training is truly an investment in your future. If you have the passion, we have the training that can help get you on the path to where you want to go!

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MSAT FAQs

1. What are the benefits of specialized training at UTI?

Specialized training at UTI boasts a host of advantages, including enhanced employability, brand-specific knowledge and access to state-of-the-industry technology.¹ Graduates emerge with certifications that can set them apart in a competitive job market, helping them stand out to potential employers looking for skilled technicians uniquely educated in certain manufacturer’s standards.

2. How are the UTI manufacturer programs structured?

UTI’s manufacturer programs are structured to provide a blend of hands-on training and classroom instruction, focusing on the technology and practices of specific brands.¹⁸ Each MSAT program is tailored to meet the needs of the manufacturer, ensuring that students are taught relevant skills while also having the opportunity to earn certifications recognized in the industry.

3. How long does the specialized training at UTI take?

The duration of specialized training at UTI varies depending on the specific MSAT program, but most can be completed within a few months to a year following the core programs. This timeline allows students to swiftly transition from training to pursuing employment, positioning them for timely entry into the workforce after graduation.

4. How long does each MSAT program take?

UTI’s manufacturer programs are designed to be completed after core technician training, often extending the total training period by a few months. The exact duration can vary depending on the specific manufacturer and program requirements, but the focus is always on delivering quality education that prepares graduates to pursue entry-level positions in the industry.

5. How do UTI's programs differ from other vocational schools?

UTI sets itself apart from other vocational schools through its exclusive relationships with leading manufacturers, providing students with access to specialized training directly aligned with industry needs. Additionally, UTI’s focus on hands-on learning and state-of-the-industry technology ensures that students are not just learning theory, but also acquiring practical skills that are immediately applicable in the workplace.¹⁸

Read: From Tinkering on Bikes to Getting Paid for Motorcycle Work

Get Specialized Hands-On Training in our MSAT Programs!

Specialized training can elevate your industry skills to the next level, which can help make you stand out to potential employers after graduating.¹

Interested in learning more about specialized training at UTI? Learn more on our Manufacturer-Specific Training page. If you have questions, request more information or call us at 1-800-834-7308—we’re here to help!