Find out what some of our graduates are doing today in pursuing their successful careers.
Learn more about how we assist our veterans from VA funding to exclusive scholarships.
UTI welcomes General Education Diploma students. Find out more in our resources.
Leaving the military is a major deal. When the time comes, you might have more questions than direction.
Questions like … What exactly do you want to do when you get out of that uniform? Do you want to do the same work you did in the military? Should you look for a job or go to school? How will you afford tuition?
While there are multiple paths that can lead to a successful civilian life, many veterans have found their way after training at a trade school.
Read on to discover how the career-focused training you’ll find at trade school can help you transition from the troops to a life filled with passion, purpose and stability.
By definition, trade school is a postsecondary educational institution designed to train students for a specific job in a skilled trade career, such as automotive repair, welding or HVAC repair. It’s also known as technical or vocational school.
Programs usually take a fraction of the time necessary to complete a bachelor’s degree, and coursework is focused on a specific vocation.
At Universal Technical Institute (UTI), we train technicians for skilled trades including automotive, diesel, motorcycle, motorsports,24 marine, welding, collision repair and CNC machining. Some of our programs even take less than a year to complete.7
Trade school is a popular choice for veterans because it offers an accelerated path to train for a career that could help achieve security for themselves and their families.6
Also, many trade schools honor benefits provided by the GI Bill®, which can help veterans cover the cost of training.21
At UTI, our programs teach the foundational skills employers look for when hiring entry-level technicians.
Our courses are hands-on,18 instructors have real-world experience in what they teach and the things you learn could lead to a career. Class schedules are typically flexible to accommodate your life obligations, including family or a job.
We also offer many services to help veterans find a career after school.20
All in all, trade school can help veterans face some of the top challenges of transitioning from military to civilian life by:
Going to trade school allows you to leverage your military experience to prepare for a career doing what you love. Many of the soft skills you learned in the military could serve you well.
Here are some examples of what soft skills are and how they can help you succeed while learning your trade at UTI or wherever you end up
Choosing a career path after the military can be confusing to say the least. You may want to find work similar to what you did in the military or explore a completely new field.
The first step is to identify what you’re passionate about and find a career that matches. Here are a few resources that can help:
At UTI, we offer hands-on training in the automotive, diesel, motorcycle, marine and collision repair industries as well as CNC machining and welding.18
Most of our grads start out working as entry-level technicians or in other entry-level roles. As with any industry, over time, you may be able to advance in your career with hard work. Here are some of the exciting entry-level and advanced career paths that our graduates can pursue after training here:77
Entry-level
Advanced
The short answer: It depends on the school, but some GI Bill® benefits could extend to trade school for veterans.21
To find GI Bill® vocational schools near you or to check eligibility for a particular school or program, you can use the VA's online GI Bill Comparison Tool. It lists schools and programs, shows how much money can be applied toward tuition, and even shows how many other GI Bill recipients are enrolled.
GI Bill® coverage rates for vocational training programs depend on the overall cost of the program.
At UTI, our Financial Aid representatives are well-versed to help you navigate your VA benefits. In fact, most of our Military Admissions Representatives are U.S. veterans.
UTI is the leading provider of training for students preparing for careers as professional automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle, marine, CNC machining and welding technicians.
We’re also proud to have been designated a Military Friendly® School, indicating our support of veterans and military service members.56 From VA funding20 to exclusive scholarships,10 our team is here to help you navigate this journey.
Request more information today to learn more.
Finding a job after the military can seem daunting. At UTI, we’re here to help you feel comfortable joining the workforce after you’ve served the country.
After serving our country for close to 10 years, Harvey Paige was in need of a new career. Learn how he went from the military to Harley-Davidson technician.
In this guide, we go over what a mechanic in the military is, what the job is like, & training needed to become one. Interested? Read more here.
1) UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary.
2) For program outcome information and other disclosures, visit www.uti.edu/disclosures.
6) UTI graduates’ achievements may vary. Individual circumstances and wages depend on personal credentials and economic factors. Work experience, industry certifications, the location of the employer and their compensation programs affect wages. UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary.
7) Some programs may require longer than one year to complete.
10) Financial aid, scholarships and grants are available to those who qualify. Awards vary due to specific conditions, criteria and state.
18) UTI now offers all of its automotive, diesel, motorcycle and marine technician training in a blended learning format consisting of online lecture courses along with in-person, hands-on lab training.
20) VA benefits may not be available at all campus locations.
21) GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website.
24) NASCAR Technical Institute prepares graduates to work as entry-level automotive service technicians. Some graduates who take NASCAR-specific electives also may have job opportunities in racing-related industries. NASCAR Tech is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary.
56) Military Friendly® Schools designation applies to specific campuses. Check with the campus for details.
77) UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary. UTI prepares graduates for entry-level careers using the provided training. UTI graduates’ achievements may vary. Some UTI graduates get jobs within their field of study in positions other than those listed.
Universal Technical Institute of Illinois, Inc. is approved by the Division of Private Business and Vocational Schools of the Illinois Board of Higher Education.
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