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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Sept. 30, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Technical Institute (UTI) announced a three-year agreement with Bass Pro Shops to supply boats and accessory equipment to support the marine technician training program at UTI's Marine Mechanics Institute (MMI) campus in Orlando, Florida.

Through the agreement, Bass Pro Shops will supply seven fully loaded boats and related accessory equipment for use as training aids and will collaborate with MMI to enhance the curricula of the Capstone and Rigging courses in its Marine Technician Specialist program.

The new partnership gives students the opportunity to train on the latest models of fiberglass and aluminium boats as well as a pipeline to employment opportunities at 97 Bass Pro Shops Power Pro Service Centers across North America.¹

"Bass Pro Shops is widely recognized as the leading retailer in recreational boating and fishing, and we are thrilled to partner with them to help train the next generation of marine technicians," said John Dodson, vice president, business alliances at UTI.

"Interest in recreational boating continues to grow and we are experiencing strong demand for marine technicians at Bass Pro Service Centers across the country," said Wayne Stokes, director of retail operations for Bass Pro's Tracker Boat Center. "Collaborating with MMI to enhance the learning environment and introduce students to the excellent career opportunities at our Service Centers helps ensure that we can keep our customers' boats operating at peak efficiency for years to come."

The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) reports boat sales are strong for the $35.9 billion U.S. recreational boating industry. An estimated 238,000 new powerboats were sold in 2015, an increase of 8.5 percent compared to 2014. NMMA anticipates sales of new powerboats to increase as much as 7 percent in 2016.

The U.S. Department of Labor reports there will be more than 1.2 million jobs in the diesel, automotive, motorcycle and marine industries in the United States by the year 2024. To reach that total, the transportation industry will have to fill more than 37,000 technician job openings on average every year.²

"Adding the nation's premier boating retailer to our team of marine engine manufacturer partners gives our students the opportunity to train on state-of-the-industry equipment from stem to stern and will further enhance their ability to deliver value to employers the moment they step into the shop," said Steve McElfresh, campus president of Universal Technical Institute, Motorcycle Mechanics Institute and Marine Mechanics Institute in Orlando.

About Bass Pro Shops®
Bass Pro Shops®, which specializes in outdoor fun, operates 99 retail locations and 97 Tracker Boat Centers across America and Canada that are visited by more than 120 million people every year. Bass Pro Shops stores, many of which feature restaurants, offer hunting, fishing, camping and other outdoor gear while their catalogs and website serve shoppers throughout the world. The company's Tracker Marine Group® (http://www.trackermarine.com), a leading brand of fishing boats for more than 37 years, manufactures and sells a variety of boats for fishing and cruising. Family fun is on tap at Bass Pro Shops resort Big Cedar Lodge® (http://www.bigcedar.com), voted by Travel + Leisure as one of the top 50 Best Hotels for Families in the U.S. For more information, visit http://www.basspro.com. To request a free catalog, call 1-800-BASS PRO. Follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/bassproshops.

About Universal Technical Institute, Inc.: Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE: UTI) is the leading provider of postsecondary education for students seeking careers as professional automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle and marine technicians. With more than 200,000 graduates in its 51-year history, UTI offers undergraduate degree and diploma programs at 12 campus locations across the United States, as well as manufacturer-specific training programs at dedicated training centers. Through its campus-based school system, UTI provides specialized post-secondary education programs under the banner of several well-known brands, including Universal Technical Institute (UTI), Motorcycle Mechanics Institute and Marine Mechanics Institute (MMI) and NASCAR Technical Institute (NASCAR Tech).

For more information, visit www.uti.edu. Like UTI on www.facebook.com/UTI or follow UTI on Twitter @UTITweet, @MMITweet and @NASCARTechUTI.

For information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program and other important information, visit our website at www.uti.edu/disclosure.

¹ MMI cannot guarantee employment or salary. 
² Based on data compiled from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2014-2024), www.bls.gov, viewed December 8, 2015.

Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160929/413621

SOURCE Universal Technical Institute, Inc.