UTI to Open Atlanta and San Antonio Campuses in 2026 to Boost Technician Pipeline

Smyrna and San Antonio sites aim to boost regional technician pipeline

Universal Technical Institute (UTI) begins recruiting for two new campuses — UTI‑Atlanta in Smyrna, Georgia, and UTI‑San Antonio in Texas — as it moves to expand hands‑on training capacity in key skilled‑trade and transportation fields. The company announces the moves on Feb. 4, 2026, and says both campuses will open in 2026 pending required regulatory approvals, with Atlanta slated for Summer and San Antonio for Spring. UTI‑Atlanta marks the company’s first Georgia location and UTI‑San Antonio is its first campus devoted exclusively to skilled trades.

UTI‑Atlanta occupies a 117,000‑square‑foot facility at 7100 Highlands Parkway SE designed to host advanced classrooms and specialized labs supporting automotive, diesel, aviation, electrical, robotics and automation, HVACR, and welding programs. The 51,000‑square‑foot San Antonio site at 5776 Stemmons Drive will offer aviation, welding and HVACR programs plus an electrical training suite covering wind, robotics, industrial maintenance and electrical/electronics. Both campuses submit applications for accreditation with the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), an accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

The company frames the openings as responses to regional employer demand and workforce shortages in transportation, skilled trades, electrical and energy sectors, and says the new locations are intended to strengthen employer partnerships and regional economic growth. Division President Tracy Lorenz says the expansion increases access to in‑demand, hands‑on training and broadens career pathways for students. San Antonio joins UTI‑Austin, UTI‑Houston and an expanded UTI‑Dallas to deepen the company’s Texas footprint.

Financial and growth context

UTI is pursuing the campus expansion amid a broader growth push that includes four planned new locations contingent on approvals; the company reports rising student counts and earlier‑stage strategic spending tied to launches and program expansion. In its fiscal first quarter ended Dec. 31, 2025, UTI reports higher revenue and increased full‑time active students, while adjusted EBITDA and operating income reflect one‑time and rollout costs related to growth initiatives.

CTE Month and workforce focus

Speaking for Career and Technical Education Month, CEO Jerome Grant emphasizes the role of career and technical education in addressing national skilled‑labor shortages and notes UTI and sister Concorde Career Colleges plan to educate about 32,000 students this year. The company highlights priorities such as curriculum alignment, employer collaboration, student support and career placement as central to closing local skills gaps.