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June 23

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What Service Director Mark Malizzi Seeks In A New Automotive Tech Hire

"It’s no longer carburetors, points and condensers. It’s computers, it’s high-energy ignition systems."

For Mark Malizzi, as a boy growing up on a farm, knowing how to fix machinery was something that came out of necessity but was also driven by the spirit of youthful curiosity. Equipment would break down and need fixing. He would have to figure out how to get it back up and running. There was always something to learn. And there were always things they could do to make their equipment run better – and sometimes even faster.

"Being a farm boy, we took apart everything and put it back together. We made things go as fast as they could; we even made lawn mowers fast."

His youth in his own words was all, “horsepower, high energy and fun.” And this interest in machinery and making things go fast stayed with him. From high school he went into vocational training. Afterward he joined the military. His humble beginnings as a farm boy tinkering on lawnmowers turned into a career where he was working on heavy-duty military equipment. Now, he has more than 30 years in the automotive industry. He’s done everything from being the crew chief for racing teams to becoming a hiring manager, the title he holds today at Fred Beans Ford of Boyertown, Pennsylvania, where he has spent the last 16 years. He has seen a lot change throughout his long career.

“The difference of working on cars today versus the ones we worked on 10 to 15 years ago is the technology. It’s no longer carburetors, points and condensers. It’s computers, it’s high-energy ignition systems. These aren’t things you can learn tooling around your backyard.”

A potential employee at Fred Beans needs to have the training and skills to work on the cars of today and be ready for future developments in auto technology.

“We’re an award winning dealership and are nationally recognized, this puts us in a different category. Not only do we have to find employees to meet our standards of what we offer now, but they need to be prepared for what we’ll be offering in five to ten years from now.”

Being a Ford dealership, Fred Beans has benefitted from networking with UTI and its graduates.1 The Ford Accelerated Credential Training (FACT) program at UTI provides a skilled pool of potential employees who have been helped in preparing for the types of jobs that they offer.

“When one of UTI’s students comes out of their program they are 80 percent of their way toward their Ford certification. This makes my life that much easier. They’re not starting at ground zero, they’ve had two years of familiarizing themselves with the technology.”

And for those that come to him from training programs like UTI, he likes seeing them be confident in the skills they’ve developed. They’ve worked hard and should acknowledge their accomplishments. “People need to come in proud of who they are and what they know.”

Programs, like the ones offered at UTI help develop the skills needed to enter the work force. Being a mechanic no longer means overalls covered with grease, it means a brand-new breed of worker. It’s someone who embraces the professionalism of a clean uniform and a good attitude combined with the skills and training to prepare them for what’s to come in the auto industry.

“A lot of the people we’re investing in, the UTI graduates who are coming out now, some of them are going to be in five to 10 years, my senior master technicians.”


A New Career Path Starts Here

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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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