Students at the UTI NASCAR Tech campus get hands-on experience with race engines.

Ask a successful engine builder what milestone technology has made the most impact on improving horsepower during the past 30 years, and the answer likely won’t be related to more aggressive camshaft profiles, dramatically improved valve-spring materials, sophisticated manipulation of fuel injection or taming much higher cylinder pressures created by boost. No, the experienced engine builder will probably acknowledge that biggest turning point came when CNC machines were introduced into the shop.

The partnership will help enhance UTI’s overall automotive engine training program.

CNC machining ensured consistency with the product; but probably more important, facilitated reverse engineering. While that’s a kind way of saying many original designs were copied, CNC machining also opened the pathway to increased innovation and new product development. With CNC machines so prominent in today’s high-horsepower and durability engineering, proper training and keeping up on the latest trends becomes even more important to a winning engine shop.

With that in mind, RoushYates Engines is partnering with the United Technical Institute’s NASCAR Tech campus to offer a comprehensive CNC machining and technology program. It will leverage the experience and expertise of the RoushYates organization and build on a pending training curriculum already under development at RoushYates.

The CNC program will first be offered in 2016 in Mooresville, North Carolina–home to both UTI’s NASCAR Tech campus and RoushYates Engines. According to a UTI news release, the program is expected to expand to other markets upon successful implementation in Mooresville; however, it must first be approved by the state and accredited.

RoushYates’ involvement will keep the UTI program up to date, such as lessons learned with developing the Ford EcoBoost for sports car racing.

The UTI NASCAR Tech program also offers training in bodywork and other racing disciplines.

The CNC program will be taught at a RoushYates facility, but UTI says RoushYates will “enhance” other performance-related training course currently offered at UTI campuses nationwide. The UTI performance program currently includes three 3-week courses that cover cylinder head prep, camshaft technology, engine assembly and working in a zero-defect environment.

Specifics as to RoushYates’ contribution were not revealed but officials note that the partnership gives the prominent engine builder opportunities to “update” the UTI curriculum with trending technologies, such as those found in the Ford EcoBoost engine family.

“Our agreement with RoushYates will give our students access to technology right out of the leading shop in motorsports, making our students more attractive to potential employers,” sums up Kim McWaters, UTI chairman and CEO. “Whether or not our students pursue a career in high-performance engines, they’ll have the high-tech skills they need to be successful throughout the transportation industry, where demand for trained technicians far outstrips supply.”