Premier Truck Group, UTI honor transitioning military members as first graduates of tech program

Universal Technical Institute CEO Jerome Grant congratulates transitioning service members and thanks partners at Fort Bliss and Premier Truck Group.
Universal Technical Institute CEO Jerome Grant congratulates transitioning service members and thanks partners at Fort Bliss and Premier Truck Group.

Premier Truck Group and Universal Technical Institute recently honored the inaugural graduating class of the Premier Truck Group Technician Skills Program.

The on-base diesel-commercial technician training program provides 12-weeks of industry-aligned training that leads directly to employment for military members transitioning to civilian life, according to an announcement. 

“This is an important day for the Army. It is critical that we take care of the men and women who have selflessly taken care of our country,” says Col. Stuart James, garrison commander at Fort Bliss [Texas]. “We need to take care of the soldiers not only when they are in the Army but when they leave. To have partners like Premier Truck Group and Universal Technical Institute help our transitioning service members succeed in their next career is wonderful.”

[Related: How to build a technician pipeline with school programs]

The service members who completed the program were honored at a ceremony at Fort Bliss. Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (D-El Paso) addressed the graduates, thanking them for their tremendous service to the country and noting they will continue to serve society in their new careers. Executives from Premier Truck Group and UTI were in attendance.

“It’s a privilege to be here, to congratulate these eight graduates in person and to thank you for the service you’ve provided our country. You are truly our nation’s greatest assets,” says Rep. Escobar. “When service members leave the military after they have given their all to our nation, we haven’t done enough as a country to provide these tremendous men and women the opportunity to use their incredible skills in the private sector and in our economy, so I am so grateful for collaborations like this that provide solutions to challenges we can’t solve on our own.”

The Premier Truck Group Technician Skills Program is tuition-free to military service members and features an on-base curriculum with hands-on technical training that meets CDC and health authority COVID-19 prevention guidelines. The training focuses on diagnostic paths and service technologies unique to Premier Truck Group. The recurring program’s next session begins April 19, 2021.

“It is our honor to hire our nation’s heroes,” says Rich Shearing, president, Premier Truck Group. “Our partnership with UTI and the U.S. Army at Fort Bliss gives us the opportunity to support service members in learning the skills to transition directly into rewarding civilian careers. We are pleased to offer immediate employment to these and future graduates from the Premier Truck Group Technician Skills Program.”

The following service members earned a Systems Certified Daimler Truck North America credential and will be going to work at Premier Truck Group:

  • Fort Bliss, Texas - Cameron Champraya, who will work in Salt Lake City
  • Marine Corps Base Hawaii - Donald Ford, who will work in Twin Falls, Idaho
  • Davis Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. Hannah McMullin, who will work in Fort Worth, Texas
  • Fort Bliss, Texas - Hien Tran, who will work in Chattanooga, Tenn.
  • Fort Bliss, Texas - Ivan Perez, who will work in St. George, Utah
  • Fort Bliss, Texas - Mark Lopez, who will work in Amarillo, Texas
  • Tucson, Ariz. - Timothy Phillips, who will work in North Dallas, Texas
  • Fort Bliss, Texas - Tyler Walker, who will work in Ardmore, Okla. 

“We are excited to celebrate the first graduating class of the Premier Truck Group Technician Skills Program,” says UTI CEO Jerome Grant. “This program is part of UTI’s deep and longstanding commitment to serve and support our country’s veterans through quality education in partnership with industry.”

The eight graduating students from the Premier Truck Group Technician Skills Program at Fort Bliss will join the ranks of Premier Truck Group’s nearly 1,800 employees, including some 600 technicians, the company says.        

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