Conestoga Capital Advisors, an asset management company, released its fourth-quarter 2025 investor letter. US equities experienced solid returns in 2025, with double-digit gains across all major indices. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. In 2025, the Conestoga Micro Cap Composite met its purpose of preserving capital during negative market returns and capturing upside during strong market returns. Micro Caps faced significant volatility in 2025. During the course of events, Conestoga Micro Cap Co ...

Core Insights - Universal Technical Institute, Inc. emphasizes the importance of skilled collar and healthcare workers in the American economy, highlighting an urgent shortage of qualified workers despite high job availability [1][2] - The company aims to educate approximately 32,000 students in Fiscal Year 2026 through its divisions, UTI and Concorde Career Colleges, which focus on various in-demand fields [1][4] - The ongoing shift in workforce dynamics, influenced by reconsideration of traditional college paths and the impact of artificial intelligence, positions skilled collar and healthcare roles as stable employment options [4] Company Overview - Universal Technical Institute, Inc. is a leading workforce solutions provider founded in 1965, operating two main divisions: UTI and Concorde Career Colleges [5] - UTI operates 15 campuses across nine states, offering training in transportation, skilled trades, electrical, and energy sectors, while Concorde has 18 campuses in eight states and online, focusing on allied health, dental, nursing, and patient care programs [5]

Core Insights - Universal Technical Institute (UTI) is expanding its operations by opening new campuses in Atlanta and San Antonio, scheduled for Summer 2026 and Spring 2026 respectively, pending regulatory approvals [1][2][3] Group 1: Campus Details - UTI-Atlanta will be the first campus in Georgia, featuring a 117,000 square foot facility that will offer training programs in automotive, diesel, aviation, electrical, robotics and automation, HVACR, and welding [2] - UTI-San Antonio will focus exclusively on skilled trades programs, with a 51,000 square foot facility offering training in aviation, welding, HVACR, and electrical training suites [3] Group 2: Accreditation and Enrollment - Both campuses have applied for accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education [4] - Prospective students can begin the enrollment process through the UTI website [4] Group 3: Company Overview - Universal Technical Institute, founded in 1965, is a leading provider of workforce solutions, operating 17 campuses in 10 states under its UTI division, and 18 campuses in eight states under Concorde Career Colleges [5]

Core Insights - The U.S. Department of Labor projects over 7.3 million hands-on positions will need to be filled in key industries by 2034, indicating a significant demand for skilled workforce candidates [1] - Lincoln Educational Services Corporation is expanding its presence to address the growing shortage of skilled workers, with a focus on specialized technical training [1][5] Industry Overview - The transportation industry is expected to add more than 1.2 million jobs for service technicians by 2034, including 700,000 automotive and 265,000 diesel/truck positions, driven by advancements in vehicle technology [2] - The Skilled Trades sector is projected to offer over 800,000 jobs in the Electrical industry, 401,000 in HVAC, 456,000 in Welding, and 135,000 in Computerized Machining and Manufacturing, providing diverse employment opportunities [3] - The healthcare sector is anticipated to add a combined 4.2 million jobs in support roles such as medical assisting, practical nursing, dental assisting, and patient care, catering to individuals with clinical skills and compassion [4] Company Initiatives - Lincoln Tech collaborates with employers in transportation, healthcare, and skilled trades to ensure job-seekers have growth opportunities in 2026 [5] - The company operates 22 campuses across 12 states, providing career training in transportation, healthcare, skilled trades, and information technology [7][8] - Lincoln has been supporting workforce development since 1946, focusing on building a well-trained workforce to help individuals pursue their career aspirations [5][7]

Core Viewpoint - Universal Technical Institute, Inc. is advocating for the passage of the Veterans Education and Technology Skills (VETS) Opportunity Act to modernize the GI Bill, enabling veterans to utilize their benefits for accredited hybrid and flexible certificate and diploma programs [1][2]. Group 1: Company Initiatives - Universal Technical Institute has a history of supporting veterans in their transition to civilian life, educating over 3,300 veterans and military-affiliated students through various programs and scholarships [3]. - The company collaborates with the Department of Defense's SkillBridge program, offering on-base programs for service members and their families at multiple military installations [4]. - Universal Technical Institute partners with organizations like the USO and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Hiring Our Heroes initiative to provide transition workshops and career coaching [4]. Group 2: Industry Context - The skilled trades and healthcare sectors are experiencing significant demand, with strong wages and persistent shortages, making them ideal career paths for veterans [2][5]. - The company emphasizes the importance of a strong technical workforce for maintaining America's competitiveness in manufacturing and is committed to addressing the skilled labor shortage [5].

Core Insights - Universal Technical Institute, Inc. is accelerating its North Star strategy to tackle the shortage of skilled workers in the U.S. [1] - The company announced the first three planned new campus locations for fiscal 2027 [1] Company Overview - Universal Technical Institute (UTI) provides education programs in transportation, skilled trades, electrical, and energy sectors [1] - Concorde Career Colleges focuses on education in dental, nursing, diagnostic, and allied health professions [1]

Core Points - Universal Technical Institute, Inc. will hold a conference call on November 19, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time to discuss its financial and operational results for the fiscal fourth quarter and full year ended September 30, 2025 [1][2] - The conference call will be hosted by CEO Jerome Grant and CFO Bruce Schuman, followed by a question-and-answer session [2] - A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available after 8:00 p.m. Eastern time on the same day through December 3, 2025 [3] Company Overview - Universal Technical Institute, Inc. is a leading workforce solutions provider founded in 1965, serving students, partners, and communities nationwide [3] - The company operates two divisions: UTI and Concorde Career Colleges, offering high-quality education and support services for in-demand careers [3] - UTI operates 15 campuses in nine states, providing training programs in transportation, skilled trades, electrical, and energy sectors, while Concorde operates across 17 campuses in eight states and online, focusing on allied health, dental, nursing, patient care, and diagnostic fields [3]

Core Insights - Universal Technical Institute, Inc. is expanding its UTI-Dallas campus to address the skilled labor shortage in the U.S. by adding new training programs in aviation, HVACR, and electrical fields starting in early 2026 [1][3]. Expansion Details - The UTI-Dallas campus will accommodate nearly 1,000 additional students and introduce programs such as Airframe and Powerplant, HVACR Technician, and various Electrical Technology disciplines, pending regulatory approvals [2]. - The new facility will be a 30,000-square-foot building located near the current campus in Irving, expected to open in early 2026 [4]. Strategic Initiatives - The company's North Star strategy focuses on growth, diversification, and optimization, with plans to open two new campuses annually from 2026 to 2029 and enhance existing operations [3]. - UTI aims to partner with industry to improve access to its programs, which are recognized for strong student outcomes and employer satisfaction [3]. Regional Impact - The expansion in Dallas is part of UTI's broader investment in Texas, which includes six campuses statewide, and aims to meet the local demand for skilled professionals [4].

Core Insights - ClearBridge Investments reported a modest underperformance of its "ClearBridge Small Cap Growth Strategy" compared to the Russell 2000 Growth Index in Q2 2025, as the market rally favored lower market capitalization and riskier stocks [1] - Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE:UTI) showed significant stock performance with a one-month return of 16.82% and a 52-week gain of 104.15%, closing at $31.46 per share with a market capitalization of $1.712 billion [2][3] Company Overview - Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE:UTI) is recognized as a national provider of trade schools, focusing on transportation, skilled trades, and healthcare education programs, addressing skilled employee shortages [3] - The company is not among the 30 most popular stocks held by hedge funds, although it saw an increase in hedge fund interest from 29 to 30 portfolios in Q2 2025 [3] Investment Perspective - While Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE:UTI) is acknowledged for its potential, the company is viewed as having less upside compared to certain AI stocks, which are believed to carry less downside risk [3]

Core Insights - Lincoln Educational Services Corporation's campuses in Melrose Park, IL and South Plainfield, NJ have been recognized as "America's Top Vocational Schools" for 2025 by USA Today, highlighting their commitment to student success and diversity [1][2] Group 1: Recognition and Commitment - The recognition as a top vocational school reflects Lincoln Tech's dedication to training essential workers in vital industries such as transportation, skilled trades, and healthcare support [2] - The award emphasizes Lincoln Tech's commitment to excellence in hands-on education, career readiness, and workforce development, with graduates acquiring high-demand skills that lead to employment opportunities [3][9] Group 2: Evaluation Criteria - The evaluation by USA Today and Statista was based on five main criteria: graduation rate, graduate salaries, diversity within the student body, anticipated years to pay off a program, and social mobility [2] - This is the inaugural year for USA Today to publish this list, indicating a new benchmark for vocational education recognition [2] Group 3: Campus Performance - The Melrose Park campus, established in 1902, reported that 75% of its graduates were hired in their field last year, with over 700 students graduating [3] - The South Plainfield campus also demonstrated strong hiring rates for graduates of its Diesel Service Technology, Heavy Equipment Technology, and Welding Technology programs, with nearly 200 students completing their training last year [4] Group 4: Company Overview - Lincoln Educational Services Corporation has been a leader in diversified career-oriented post-secondary education since 1946, offering programs in transportation, healthcare, skilled trades, and information technology [5][6] - The company operates 21 campuses across 12 states under three brands: Lincoln College of Technology, Lincoln Technical Institute, and Nashville Auto-Diesel College [6]