May 20, 2014 - Fort Bliss Welcomes Motorcycle Mechanics Institute to Launch On-Post Classes Offered by Higher Ed Institution

Motorcycle Mechanics Institute has been formally invited to Fort Bliss to offer classes on post to active and retired military as well as civilians.

“Many of our men and women in uniform are learning critical technical skills while serving our country,” said John Kirby, Education Services Director at Fort Bliss. “As a motorcycle technician training specialist, it made sense to invite MMI to come on board to afford our soldiers the opportunity to experience classes prior to their separation.” 

With the huge help of April Rhodes, Military Admissions Representative, John Decoteau III, Military Admissions Director and Adrian Cordova, Regional Vice President, an information session was held on Thursday, May 15 at the Fort Bliss Main Post, where attendees learned about the school’s training programs and manufacturer relationships, toured the classrooms and lab, and met with several motorcycle enthusiasts, including the experienced instructor who will be teaching at Fort Bliss.

“Not only are we honored to have been invited to offer classes on post, but we’re also ecstatic about the potential of this new partnership,” said John Decoteau, director of military admissions for UTI. “As industry’s choice for motorcycle technician training, MMI is uniquely positioned to offer classes on post, especially considering the fact that current and former military students make up approximately 20 percent of new UTI students across all campuses.”

MMI, the industry’s choice for motorcycle technician training, has partnered with leading brands to create curricula tailored to manufacturers’ standards and equip our campuses with the latest vehicles, equipment, tools and training aids.

This summer, two of MMI’s 12 core courses will be offered to students attending classes at Fort Bliss, including Motorcycle Theory 1 (The Metric System/Shop Math, Two-Stroke and Four-Stroke Engines and Power Flow and Drivetrain Systems) and Motorcycle Theory 2 (Carburetion and Fuel Systems, and Basic Electricity). Starting January 2015, four courses will be available, allowing students to complete a quarter of the classes they need to graduate should they choose to further their studies and specialize at one of MMI’s two campuses – in Phoenix, Ariz., and Orlando, Fla.

With classes held Tuesday through Saturday for 14 weeks, students will learn through hands-on classes based on the manufacturers’ own factory training programs and taught by an expert instructor in state-of-the-industry facilities. MMI has created the same training lab at Fort Bliss, including technology and bikes, available to students in Phoenix and Orlando.

“If a student is serious about working in the industry, MMI offers the training needed to start a solid career,” said Decoteau. “Students are equipped with industry-relevant skills, supplied straight from the manufacturer to our hands-on labs. That means everything students learn at MMI is devised to help students get ready for work.”

For nearly 40 years, MMI has been teaching students how to diagnose, service and repair motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles. In its entirety, the program ranges from 48 to 102 weeks in duration. Graduates of this program are qualified to work as entry-level service technicians in motorcycle dealerships and independent repair facilities.

For more information about the program, please call April Rhodes at 602-740-1393 or arhodes@uti.edu.