April 10, 2013 - Cummins Elective Expands to UTI-Exton to Meet Industry Need for Diesel Technicians

Cummins Power Systems Vice President of Operations, John Casey; Cummins Power Systems President, Scott Patrohay; and UTI Regional Vice President of Operations, Bob Kessler.

On April 4, Universal Technical Institute's Exton campus officially welcomed the Cummins Engine Elective to its curriculum with a grand opening celebration. Members from UTI’s corporate headquarters, Cummins Power Systems and the UTI-Exton campus joined Cummins instructors and the elective’s inaugural class in Exton for a ribbon-cutting ceremony, formal remarks and a luncheon in the campus’ brand-new Cummins wing.

Cummins’ elective program, exclusively available at select UTI campuses, is offered to students who have completed UTI’s core Diesel and Industrial Program, providing them with 12 weeks of intensive training on the latest Cummins technologies. The Cummins Engine Elective trains students on Cummins mid-range and heavy-duty engines, which power vehicles from RVs to buses to tractor trailers. Graduates of the program will receive certification on Cummins systems and products – equipping them with a competitive advantage over other entry-level technicians. Select students may also be endorsed by a Cummins distributor, providing them with an employment guarantee and eligibility for tuition reimbursement.

“The UTI Cummins program is the only place in North America outside a Cummins training facility where a technician can earn Cummins-specific qualifications,” said John Casey, vice president of operations for Cummins Power Systems, LLC. “With UTI’s strong reputation as an industry leader in cultivating top-notch automotive and diesel technicians, it was a natural fit to expand these electives to UTI’s Exton campus.”

The Bureau Labor of Statistics reports that there will be an estimated 277,400 diesel technicians employed in the United States by 2020, an increase of 35,200 new jobs since 2010. And with advanced computer diagnostics now at the heart of the modern diesel industry, there are huge opportunities for UTI graduates. “Our relationship with Cummins provides the diesel industry with a steady flow of well-trained, professional entry-level technicians who are certified to work on various Cummins engines and systems,” said Robert Kessler, regional vice president of operations for UTI.

Students in the program understand the benefits of Cummins qualifications and are eager for hands-on training. “In 12 weeks, we get the equivalent of three to five years of training if you were working in a shop trying to reach the same level of qualifications,” Eric Haugen, a student in UTI-Exton’s first graduating class, told The Daily Local News. “It’s a fast-paced course and it is challenging, but it’s definitely worth it.”

For more information on UTI’s Exton campus in the Philadelphia area, visit our website and stay connected on Facebook and Twitter.