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GRADUATE TESTIMONIALS

Jerome Jackson: From Warehouse Worker to Service Tech at Crown

"I attended UTI for automotive but specifically I liked to work on forklifts because of my time working in the warehouse, I actually aimed for this job out of UTI."

As every student who walks through the doors of UTI is unique, so is the journey that got them there.1

For Jerome Jackson, he didn't set out to be a forklift mechanic. But there are those surprise moments when one's future reveals itself. And for Jerome Jackson it was the day that a tech came to repair the Crown forklift at the warehouse he worked at.

"I noticed how proper he was, how professional he was. It was a great experience with that tech. Most techs want to get it done and get it over with, but he took the time to explain what he was doing and how to keep it running better."

Working in the warehouse was a good job, but growing up had an interest in working on things, which he didn’t get to do in this position. He had always worked on cars, and even spent some time as a mechanic in a high performance shop in Missouri. When that service tech from Crown came down to work on one of their forklifts it was then when he knew what he wanted to be.

He found his way. Now he has the position of service tech at Crown and manages a national account. He's responsible for the mandating of 140 forklifts. He’s the guy who makes sure that they're maintained and operating at a high level. Without someone taking care of these forklifts they run less efficient and have problems. This decreases productivity, which affects the bottom line. His responsibility is huge and he takes pride in the making sure that his fleet of forklifts is running smoothly.

UTI was the bridge between being a warehouse worker to the life he has today.6 After graduating with honors and keeping an attendance rate of 99%, Jerome was ready to put his focus on the electrical side of things.

“I attended UTI for automotive but specifically I liked to work on forklifts because of my time working in the warehouse, I actually aimed for this job out of UTI.”

And Jerome never lost this ambition and was persistent. So much so that he attended two jobs fairs for Crown, giving them his resume not once, but twice. It was this drive that helped him land this job as well as pushed him through his education.

Jerome also appreciated the attention and education he got from his instructors at UTI.

“They really focused on whatever your areas of study were. If you were studying electrical they would show you how voltage moves through paths, tracing wiring paths and other important things. That was really helpful.”

Along with the technical education he received, he learned the lesson of how to be a professional, one of the major things he was impressed with by the forklift tech who visited his warehouse that fateful day.

“UTI was highly focused on professionalism, everything from how you presented yourself in person, to how you presented yourself on your resume.”

It’s this dedication to professionalism that has served him well as a tech at Crown. It’s never the managers or service people who meet with customers. It’s the techs. And Crown holds them to a high level.

In retrospect Jerome Jackson’s career path makes sense. He loved mechanics and was fascinated by the electrical systems of machinery. The fact that he’s a forklift tech today isn’t a huge surprise. But for Jerome this wasn’t an obvious career trajectory.

But in life, sometimes there needs to be a spark, a moment of inspiration that lights up the unseen path. Jerome saw that in the work and professionalism of the Crown tech who came to the warehouse he worked at. And this pushed him to attend UTI and brought him to where he is today.

Just think – as a professional tech, you could be that person to inspire someone to take the first step in changing their life. 




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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.14) Incentive programs and employee eligibility are at the discretion of the employer and available at select locations. Special conditions may apply. Talk to potential employers to learn more about the programs available in your area. UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary.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.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) 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.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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