February 27, 2013 - Driven by Employers: Universal Technical Institute’s Program Advisory Committees

(from left) MMI-Marine graduate Victor Perez has worked at Orlando-based Boat Tune for 11 years. He is pictured with Boat Tune owner Robert Leatherman, who is a long-time member of MMI-Marine’s Program Advisory Committee.

For Universal Technical Institute (UTI) grads, landing a job means knowing what employers want — and developing the skills to match. That’s where UTI’s extensive industry relationships make a big difference. Each campus has a “Program Advisory Committee” (PAC), which invites employers in the industry to provide input on UTI’s curriculum through two annual roundtables. PAC members share trends that help shape UTI courses to stay current with market demands.  

“Feedback from PAC members directly contributed to creating our capstone project course, where students are immersed in a real-world scenario in boat servicing,” says Wyatt Hanks, education manager for Marine Mechanics Institute.

For employers, involvement in PAC offers many advantages — such as staying “top of mind” when UTI refers job candidates — says Bob Leatherman, a longtime member for the MMI PAC and owner of Orlando, Fla.-based Boat Tune, which services and sells boats.

Through the UTI connections, Leatherman hired MMI-Marine graduate Victor Perez as a technician 11 years ago. Victor has since transitioned into becoming a customer service manager, where he continues to excel.

Victor has a few pointers for fellow grads who want to take advantage of UTI’s industry relationships. He recommends job candidates offer to complete a one-week internship to showcase their teamwork skills and work ethic. In addition, he stresses the importance of customer relationships and having good perspective on one’s strengths and weaknesses.

“Flexibility in your skill set is key,” he says. “Like a chef needs to be prepared to cook any dish according to the customer’s taste, technicians need to be willing to accommodate a business owner’s needs.”

For more information about UTI, please visit: www.uti.edu.