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June 23

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Service King Apprentice Supervisor Shares Advice from 40+ Years of Experience

"I think UTI students realize the importance of integrity and the importance of attendance and how important that is to get a job as a technician in this industry."

As someone with more than 40 years of experience in the auto collision industry, Al Scott knows what it takes to build a lasting technician career. Today, Al is the apprentice supervisor for Service King Collision Repair Center. He has mentored more than 10 new professionals over more than 3 years who are looking to build long careers like he has.

“The apprentice supervisor role isn’t just to teach how to repair vehicles,” says Al, who has worked in the auto industry since 1976. “It’s to teach them about life. It’s about integrity, quality, safety.”

Al continues, “They need to realize how important it is to interact with other teammates and even someone at the grocery store. It’s going to set their whole attitude for when they come to the workplace. You definitely need a good attitude.”

Al has mentored and worked with several graduates from Universal Technical Institute (UTI), a school Al says is effective at training the next generation of collision repair technicians.1

“I think UTI students realize the importance of integrity and the importance of attendance and how important that is to get a job as a technician in this industry,” Al says.

A Great Need for Exceptional Technicians

The apprentice program at Service King was born out of a need for highly-trained technicians, Al says.

“We felt that, in this industry, we’re losing technicians, and we don’t know how to replace them,” Al says. “We decided we wanted to have our own program and teach our own students, our own technicians, to do it the Service King way, the proper way we want them to evolve.”

Al’s own technician journey began when he was a high school student. He participated in a work program where, for the last 2 years of high school, he went to school for half a day and work for half a day. Working in a body shop, he realized that was what he wanted to do in life and went on to work in several shops over the years.

Al says Service King sees that same type of drive in students who come from UTI.

“The reason why we look to UTI, a vocational school that has taught these kids, is that someone who walks in off the street has no knowledge of repairing vehicles,” Al says. “UTI sets their foundation for the automotive industry. We will not accept anyone who walks in off the street. We need someone who has an educational background in the field of the auto technician industry.”

Al says he has been particularly impressed with one of his UTI mentees, a UTI Houston graduate named Alyssa Culver. After completing the apprentice program, Alyssa was offered a full-time job at Service King Collision Repair before she even graduated UTI.

“As far as her dedication and not being afraid to ask anyone for help or offer anyone help, that’s the kind of quality we really need in this industry,” Al says, “people who work together, not someone who stays by themselves and is worried about themselves.”

Advice from an Auto Collision Veteran

Al says despite all his years of experience, even he doesn’t know it all. With so much new technology constantly emerging, Al advises up-and-comers to welcome any advice they’re offered.

“What I would say to you is look, don’t think you know it all,” Al says. “Take the advice of people. Whether you know they’re right or wrong, don’t put anybody down for whatever advice they want to give you.”

At UTI, students get plenty of experienced advice from instructors with decades of experience. UTI’s Employment Assistance program matches up students with relevant opportunities, including early employment opportunitiesContact UTI for school information.


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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.8) Does not include time required to complete a qualifying prerequisite program such as UTI’s 51-week Automotive Technology program.9) Does not include time required to complete a qualifying prerequisite program such as UTI’s 45-week Diesel Technology program.10) Financial aid, scholarships and grants are available to those who qualify. Awards vary due to specific conditions, criteria and state.11) See program details for eligibility requirements and conditions that may apply.15) Manufacturer-paid advanced training programs are conducted by UTI on behalf of manufacturers who determine acceptance criteria and conditions. These programs are not part of UTI’s accreditation. Programs available at select locations.24) UTI 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. UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary.63) Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Wind Turbine Technicians, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/wind-turbine-technicians.htm. BLS projects total employment will increase from 11,400 in 2023 to 18,200 in 2033. UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary. For program outcome information and other disclosures, visit www.uti.edu/disclosures.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.79) UTI aviation maintenance programs prepare graduates to apply and test for FAA mechanic certification. Graduates who don’t obtain certification may have fewer career opportunities. Some graduates get jobs in aviation or related industries other than as aviation maintenance technicians. UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment, salary or FAA certification.128) UTI will pay for certain third-party FAA certification exam fees for qualifying students. See catalog for details and requirements.

Universal Technical Institute of Illinois, Inc. is approved by the Division of Private Business and Vocational Schools of the Illinois Board of Higher Education.

*Registration Fee Waiver will apply to any student who enrolls by July 31, 2025, with a start date between March 31, 2025, and September 25, 2025.

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