BMW, MMI develop 12-week training course.

Students studying to be technicians at the Motorcycle Mechanics Institute (MMI) in Phoenix now have the opportunity to enroll in a new BMW course, thanks to a new two-year agreement between BMW of North America, LLC and MMI.

The 12-week elective course will allow MMI students to train

BMW donated training equipment to MMI, including motorcycles, proprietary diagnostic equipment, a complete technical service library, access to BMW's proprietary training Web site, BMW Motorcycle Training Curriculum, engines, specialty tools and lubricants.

"The intent of our alliance is to provide a direct route into the BMW Motorcycle Dealer Network for ambitious and talented motorcycle technicians," said Craig Czock, manager, after-sales of BMW Motorrad USA, the motorcycle division of BMW of North America, LLC. "Nationally, our dealerships are seeking the employment of BMW-certified technicians for their business growth."

Students are required to have a minimum of a 3.0 grade point average, a 95 percent attendance rate and a perfect driving record to be eligible for the course.

"There has already been a tremendous amount of excitement over this program among our students," said Bill Schuette, national director of business alliances for Motorcycle Mechanics Institute. "This program should result in improved employment opportunities for our graduates at BMW dealerships."

MMI provided a glimpse of the new course to BMW executives on April 18, when a ribbon-cutting ceremony took place.

MMI is a unit of Universal Technical Institute, Inc., which also offers specialized technical education programs under the banner of Marine Mechanics Institute (MMI), Universal Technical Institute (UTI) and NASCAR Technical Institute (NTI). The company offers undergraduate degree, diploma and certificate programs at 10 campuses across the United States, and manufacturer-sponsored advanced programs at 20 dedicated training centers. Motorcycle Mechanics Institute locations include Phoenix and Orlando, Fla.