August 25, 2014 - Universal Technical Institute Graduate Matt Strocky Finds Career Success with Penske in Franklin
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Matt Strocky at his graduation from UTI-Norwood, with his father, David Strocky (right), who is the education manager for the Diesel & Industrial technology program at UTI. They are shown along with campus president Chuck Barresi (left). |
In June 2014, Matt Strocky, a native of Blackstone, Massachusetts and graduate of Blackstone-Millville Regional High School, graduated from the Norwood campus of Universal Technical Institute (www.uti.edu), the leading provider of post-secondary education for students seeking careers as professional automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle and marine technicians. He was immediately hired to a coveted position with Penske in Franklin, Massachusetts, as a diesel technician.
“Demand for diesel technicians is on the rise, yet qualified diesel technicians are getting harder to find,” says Chuck Barresi, Campus President of UTI-Norwood. “In fact, employers across New England cite a lack of qualified workers among their top business challenges.”
According to industry trade publication “Transport Topics,” as many as 50 percent of current diesel technicians are forecast to reach retirement age between 2010 and 2030. Yet supply isn’t keeping up with demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that employment of diesel service technicians is expected to grow by 15 percent in the 2010-2020 decade.
Strocky’s father, David Strocky, has been a diesel instructor at UTI-Norwood since 2006 and is now education manager of the diesel instructor staff, where he supervises the team of diesel instructors and handles any student concerns and issues. When Strocky was considering getting his Commercial Driver’s License to become a truck driver, his father suggested he first take classes at UTI-Norwood to learn more about the mechanics and technology. Strocky quickly discovered he enjoyed working hands-on with the diesel engines – diagnosing and fixing issues, performing preventative maintenance – more than just driving.
“UTI was a fantastic experience, and I’m so glad I didn’t give up finding the path that was right for me,” says Strocky. “All of the teachers at UTI are friendly and supportive and they give you projects that really help you learn. Staff and students are committed to working together and helping each other. It’s a great place to learn.”
According to Matthew Dausey, Penske Human Resources Manager for the Northeast area, the company relies on graduates of UTI-Norwood to fill many of the entry-level diesel service technician jobs their companies have open in the Boston area and throughout Rhode Island. In fact, Dausey hired 6 graduating technicians from UTI-Norwood this past spring, predominantly for the company’s Franklin location.
“The educational curriculum that UTI offers directly correlates to what Penske needs in our business and results in top-caliber graduates. They provide both the strong technical training and soft skills development that a technician needs today, a combination that is unrivaled,” says Dausey.
