Bloomfield Auto Repair School Rolls Out New Electric Car Courses

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Universal Technical Institute (UTI) is training future auto repair techs to work on electric vehicles through a partnership with Ford, a program that was recently expanded to its Bloomfield campus.

Nine of UTI’s 14 campuses, including the Bloomfield campus, currently offer Ford FACT, a 15-week advanced training program that prepares students to work with Ford’s exclusive technology, computer diagnostics, electrical, gasoline and diesel technologies. Since Ford and UTI launched the program in 1999, more than 25,000 students have graduated from it.

Recently, UTI added a new curriculum to the Ford FACT program that focuses on high voltage batteries and electric vehicles (EVs). It includes blended learning courses on high voltage systems safety, hybrid vehicle components and operation, and battery electric vehicle components, as well as a Ford instructor-led class on hybrid and electric vehicle operation and diagnosis.

According to the school, the new course, which will be incorporated into the curriculum at UTI’s Bloomfield campus, is another step in its overall EV strategy, which includes enhancing its core curriculum, enhancing and offering new EV certifications in certain manufacturer-specific advanced training programs, and developing new training models and partnership opportunities to expand UTI's overall EV ecosystem.

“This course is also in line with New Jersey’s strong commitment to the EV marketplace and will help set the state up for success as electric vehicles become more prominent,” UTI stated.

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Those who finish the program may get a leg up with employers like Wayne Ford, a UTI employer partner.

“Some of our associates have been part of our family for 20, 30, 40 and even 50 years,” President David Nappa said. “However, we are always looking to hire technicians who can train and learn from our experienced experts and help us to continue to grow, especially as automotive technologies evolve.”

“Our long-standing partnership with UTI has allowed us to hire dedicated and well-trained technicians and has eased the burden,” Nappa said.

“We are grateful for our long-standing partnership with Ford and the opportunities they provide for our students,” said UTI Bloomfield campus president Shawn Alexander. “This new curriculum will give graduates the training and skills they need to prepare for a career in the evolving automotive industry.”

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