After graduating its first class of students earlier this year, the Peterbilt Technician Institute (PTI) has expanded to a second location in Lisle, Ill., with classes beginning this week. Peterbilt Motors Company teamed with Universal Technical Institute (UTI) to create the comprehensive technician training program last year at UTI’s Dallas campus. Applications for enrollment are currently being accepted for PTI at both campuses.
“Due to the success of our inaugural Peterbilt Technician Institute, we’re very pleased to grow the program in the key Chicago market and we plan to continue expansion to other locations nationwide,” said Robert Woodall, Peterbilt director of sales and marketing. “PTI provides our dealer network with a great resource for staffing their service areas with qualified, highly trained technicians that will ultimately result in greater shop productivity and profitability, while helping ensure the highest possible levels of customer satisfaction.”
PTI is a 12-week program conducted in conjunction with UTI that features exclusive classroom and hands-on instruction of total vehicle diagnostics, maintenance and repairs. It also covers essential workplace topics such as customer service, dealership shop operations and laws and regulations. Students graduate with a bumper-to-bumper knowledge of commercial vehicles, including a focus on the complete lineup of Peterbilt trucks and PACCAR Engines. Students are sponsored by Peterbilt dealerships which then offer graduates employment upon completion of the program.
The program is part of UTI’s Manufacturer Specific Advanced Training (MSAT) and classes are taught by a dedicated UTI instructor with support from Peterbilt.
“PTI and other training offered through Universal Technical Institute are among the most comprehensive of its kind and prepares students with the education and hands-on experience that provide a solid foundation for a successful career,” said Kim McWaters, chairman and chief executive officer at UTI. “Our dynamic learning environment, highly effective instructors and proven curriculum are helping the commercial vehicle industry and others overcome the shortage of qualified, skilled technicians.”
