UTI opens first Texas campus dedicated to skilled trades

Universal Technical Institute said UTI-San Antonio opened this spring and is drawing student starts ahead of plan.

Universal Technical Institute, Inc. said it opened UTI-San Antonio this spring. The company described it as its first Texas campus dedicated exclusively to skilled trades training. The campus is in San Antonio and is expected to serve up to 800 students at scale.

The company said new student starts are about 25% ahead of plan.

The campus lists programs in aviation, welding, HVACR, electrical, industrial maintenance, robotics and wind energy. UTI said those offerings are meant to prepare graduates for work in areas affected by changing technology and employer needs.

Kevin Prehn, senior vice president and chief operating officer, said interest in skilled trades education is growing as students weigh education costs, career opportunities, time to employment and long-term job stability. He also said AI and automation are pushing some students toward technical, hands-on careers.

Dr. Chris Finn, UTI-San Antonio campus president, said San Antonio was a natural choice because of the region’s workforce, economy and employer support for skilled trades education.

The company said it now has seven campuses in Texas across its UTI and Concorde Career Colleges brands. It said it was founded in 1965 and now operates 35 campuses nationwide and online, with programs in transportation, skilled trades, healthcare and dental education.

UTI did not provide more detail on enrollment timing or any further expansion plans in the release.

Sources

• PR Newswire release

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