Universal Technical Institute’s Mooresville campus, NASCAR Technical Institute (NASCAR Tech), is celebrating its 20th anniversary this month as the automotive, CNC machining, and welding school continues to grow and diversify its programs.
The campus’ 20th year brought big additions to its course offerings. NASCAR Tech is now offering degree programs, and eligible graduates will be awarded an Associate of Occupational Studies degree. It was also recently announced that NASCAR Tech will add a Robotics and Automation program in 2023.
Over the last 20 years, nearly 14,000 students have graduated from NASCAR Tech, with many launching careers in the automotive, motorsports, and manufacturing industries, among others. The campus is the only technical training school endorsed by NASCAR.
“Since 2002, we’ve cemented ourselves as a workforce solutions provider in the transportation industry in our region. Along with that, we’ve helped start a lot of great careers and changed a lot of lives over the decades,” said Campus President Jennifer Bergeron. “I’m grateful to be able to say I’ve been with NASCAR Tech since the beginning. I started working at the campus in May 2002, just before we opened our doors to the first class of students that July and I’ve had the honor of serving as campus president for the last 12 years.”
It’s also been rewarding for the campus’ employment services staff to see students graduate and pursue careers over the years. The job outlook continues to look bright for skilled trades careers.
“It’s hands-on work, but I’m using my brain too – doing math and trigonometry, and a lot of testing and problem-solving,” said Samuel Robinson, a machinist at Caterpillar who studied CNC Machining. “It’s a good field, and I work with a lot of people who’ve been here 30 years or more, and my company is hiring a lot of new people too.”
“On behalf of the UTI leadership team, I am thrilled to congratulate NASCAR Tech on all the success they’ve had over the last 20 years, and we look forward to their continued growth and diversification – initiatives we’ve been working on throughout the UTI organization,” said Sherrell Smith, executive vice president of campus services and operations at UTI.
“With our recent acquisition of MIAT College of Technology, we’re able to bring even more in-demand training programs to our UTI-branded campuses, like robotics and automation. We can’t wait to see how future graduates of these new programs will be contributing to the local workforce by helping to fill the skills gap,” stated Smith.
In May, NASCAR Tech was named the “Best Place to Work” (over 50 employees) in the “Best of Iredell” awards.
“What started as an automotive technician training school has expanded into motorsports, CNC Machining, and now Welding Technology. However, to know we’re also providing our community with a great place to work, where employees feel valued and know they’re making a difference, is icing on the cake,” added Bergeron.
NASCAR Technical Institute prepares graduates to work as entry-level automotive service technicians. Some graduates who take NASCAR-specific electives also may have job opportunities in racing-related industries. NASCAR Tech is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the national average annual job openings in each of the following occupations between 2020 and 2030 will be: Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics, 69,000; Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists, 28,100; and Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers, 49,200. Job openings include openings due to net employment changes and net replacements. UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary.
