September 24, 2012 - Firestone Supports UTI-Orlando with $10,000 Donation, Partnership

Lots of companies talk about supporting education – and Bridgestone/Firestonereally means it. Recently, Firestone Assistant District Manager Robert Martin presented Universal Technical Institute Orlando (UTI-Orlando)with the company’s annual donation from theBridgestone America’s Trust Fund. As part of Bridgestone/Firestone, the world’s largest tire and rubber company, Firestone has supported UTI with this contribution for the past three years.

Martin, who oversees 30 Firestone Complete Auto Care stores throughout Orlando, says Firestone hires about 25 UTI graduates each year to serve as general service technicians, specialized technicians and automotive service writers. The reason? UTI graduates are simply moreprepared and professional than many of their peers.

“At Firestone, we’ve learned to expect the best with UTI graduates,” Martin says. “They’re on time and dressed appropriately for interviews, their resumes are perfect and they have a solid understanding of how to work with managers and fellow technicians in our stores.”

Firestone even holds quarterly career seminars at the UTI-Orlando campus where company representatives presentto nearly UTI 200 students, providing insight about the company, automotive industry and career options. For automotive student Ryan Deckrow, the seminar offered an opportunity to impress the Firestone team with his maturity,steady job history and professionalism.

“I took part in a mini-interview after the event and was hired as a part-time Firestone service technician — I didn’t even have to wait for graduation,” Deckrow says.

Today, Ryan works as an installer at a Firestone Complete Auto Care store near his home in Orlando. As he studies for the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification test, he knows his training at UTI has given him an edge in preparing for work in the automotive industry.

Like Ryan, most UTI students quickly find employment. On average, four out of five UTI graduates get jobs in their field within one year of graduation.

“At UTI, our students receive the very best in hands-on training and education, with a focus on joining the workforce right after graduation,” says Melissa Whatley, employment services director at UTI-Orlando. “Our partnerships help make that possible.”

Martin agrees. And he says Firestone appreciates the efforts Whatley and other UTI staff members make to keep his company informed and connected to potential recruits.

“As the automotive industry continues to grow, we want to play a key role in helping train the next generation of expert technicians,” Martin says. “UTI is a valuable partner in the future of our business, not just in Orlando, but for our 2,200 Firestone Complete Auto Care stores nationwide.”