One thing we have an abundance of in the Greater Houston is roads. They are often bumper to bumper with cars. And every one of those cars is going to need a good mechanic to care for it someday. Let's celebrate our future! Here's a press release we got this week:

Universal Technical Institute-Houston Awards $105K in Grants and Prizes to

High School Automotive Technology Teams from Southeast Texas at

Recent Top Tech Challenge

Snap-on Incorporated Sponsored Tool Kits

HOUSTON, Texas (March 24, 2023) – The Universal Technical Institute (UTI) Houston campus hosted high school automotive technical education students for its Top Tech Challenge on Saturday, March 6. Thirty-five teams and 45 individuals from 19 southeast Texas high schools competed to showcase their automotive skills. UTI-Houston awarded several prizes and $105,000 in tuition grants that can be applied at any UTI campus. Participating school districts included Alief, Anahuac, Baytown, Conroe, Cypress, El Campo, Houston, Katy, Klein, Manvel, New Caney, Pasadena, Pearland, Port Arthur, Porter, Spring, and Vidor.

“UTI’s Top Tech Challenge is an excellent opportunity for students interested in automotive technology and transportation careers to show off what they are learning and reward them for their skills and knowledge,” commented Darrin Brust, UTI-Houston campus president. “According to the Bureau of Labor statistics, the automotive and diesel industry will average 28,100[1] job openings for skilled technicians every year. It is inspiring to see how talented these students are. I encourage Top Tech Challenge participants to consider UTI to help them in further developing their automotive technology skills and to equip them with the tools and knowledge necessary to keep modern vehicles operating.

The event kicked off with students taking a written Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) test. They were then dismissed to one of five hands-on testing stations – Brake Problems, Drivability, Electrical Problems, HVAC, and Parts Identification, or the waiting room where they participated in a Spark Plug Challenge. A panel of UTI-Houston instructors served as judges.

“The UTI-Houston Campus appreciates the partnership and collaboration with Snap-on Incorporated and for sponsoring prizes for this unique experience, giving participants a platform to meet other students and participate in this great event,” Brust added.

First Place Winners:

Shannon Hudson and Joshua Cohrs from Klein Cain High School in Klein were awarded first place in the Automotive and Diesel Top Tech Challenge. Each received a $10,000 UTI tuition grant and earned a Snap-on tool chest and tool set for their high school ($2,365 value).

Aaron Brumit from Stuart Career Tech High School in Baytown earned first place in the Collision Repair and Refinishing Top Tech Challenge. Aaron received a $10,000 UTI tuition grant and earned a Snap-on tool chest and tool set for his high school ($2,365 value).

Jake Turner from Anahuac High School in Anahuac earned first place in the Automotive Basics Top Tech Challenge. He received a $7,000 UTI tuition grant.

Second and Third Place Winners:

Cristian Belman and Thomas Barry from Miller Career Center in Katy took second place in the Automotive and Diesel Top Tech Challenge. Each received a $7,500 UTI tuition grant and earned a Snap-on tool set for the high school ($1,695 value). Leonardo Foullon and Heliut Lopez from Alief Career Center in Houston were the third-place winners. Each received a $5,000 UTI tuition grant and earned a Snap-on tool set for their high school ($1,379 value).

Carlos Gutierrez from Dr. Kirk Lewis Career and Technical High School in Pasadena earned second place in the Collision Repair and Refinishing Top Tech Challenge. Gutierrez received a $7,500 UTI tuition grant and earned a Snap-on tool set for his high school ($1,695 value). Edwardo Alvarado from Stuart Career Tech High School in Baytown was the third-place winner. Alvarado received a $5,000 UTI tuition grant and earned a Snap-on tool set for his high school ($1,379 value).

David Gallardo from Cleveland High School in Cleveland earned second place in the Automotive Basics Top Tech Challenge. Gallardo received a $5,000 UTI tuition grant. Jonathan Aldrich from Summer Creek High School in Humble was the third-place winner. Aldrich received a $3,000 UTI tuition grant.

4th – 10th Place Automotive Top Tech Teams received a $1,000 UTI tuition grant for each team member:

4th Place: Pearland High School in Pearland; Jacob Perez and Jared Brown

5th Place: Miller Career Center in Katy; Jonathan Fregoso and Rodrigo Mejia

6th Place: New Caney High School in New Caney; Luis Medrano and Eliab Rosales

7th Place: North Shore High School in Houston; Vidal Chavez and Daniel Gonzalez

8th Place: New Caney High School in New Caney; Victor Ruiz and Samuel Norberto

9th Place: North Shore in Houston; Hector Umana and Israel Martinez

10th Place: Klein Cain High School in Klein; Cayden Mills and Parker Sonnier

4th – 10th Place Collision Repair and Refinishing Individuals received a $1,000 UTI tuition grant each:

4th Place: Stilwell Technical Center in Port Arthur; Angel Ramirez

5th Place: Stuart Career Tech High School in Baytown; Yahaira Meza

6th Place: Dr. Kirk Lewis Career and Technical High School in Pasadena; Jorge Valenzuela

7th Place: Conroe High School in Conroe; Justin Brown

8th Place: Stuart Career Tech High School in Baytown; Asheley Perez

9th Place: Dr. Kirk Lewis Career and Technical High School in Pasadena; Josue Reyna

10th Place: Dr. Kirk Lewis Career and Technical High School in Pasadena; Julio Motano

4th – 5th Place Automotive Basics Individuals received a $1,000 UTI tuition grant each:

4th Place: Porter High School in Porter; Osiel Olascoaga

5th Place: Cypress Ranch High School in Cypress Ranch; Cameron Reach

This event is just one activity the UTI-Houston campus has planned for 2023. Visit our Events page to view more. To learn more about the school’s training programs or to schedule a tour, please visit https://www.uti.edu/locations/texas/houston.

About Universal Technical Institute

Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE: UTI) (the “Company”) was founded in 1965 and is a leading workforce solutions provider of transportation, skilled trades and healthcare education programs, whose mission is to serve students, partners, and communities by providing quality education and support services for in-demand careers across a number of highly-skilled fields. The Company is comprised of two divisions: Universal Technical Institute (“UTI”) and Concorde Career Colleges (“Concorde”). UTI operates 16 campuses located in 9 states and offers a wide range of transportation and skilled trades technical training programs under brands such as UTI, MIAT College of Technology, Motorcycle Mechanics Institute, Marine Mechanics Institute and NASCAR Technical Institute. Concorde operates across 17 campuses in 8 states, offering programs in the Allied Health, Dental, Nursing, Patient Care and Diagnostic fields. For more information, visit www.uti.edu or www.concorde.edu, or visit us on LinkedIn at @UniversalTechnicalInstitute and @Concorde Career Colleges or on Twitter @news_UTI or @ConcordeCareer. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/diesel-service-technicians-and-mechanics.htm

photo: Getty Images