Concorde Career Colleges expands access to respiratory therapy education programs to address rising national demand

Rhea-AI Summary

Universal Technical Institute (NYSE:UTI) subsidiary Concorde Career Colleges is significantly expanding its respiratory therapy education programs to meet surging national demand. The expansion includes increased enrollment capacity at nine campuses across California, Florida, Tennessee, and Texas, allowing for up to 160 additional students annually.

The company is also growing its innovative hospital partnership model, which has expanded from 3 to 20 hospital systems across 11 states since its July 2023 pilot. This model enables hospitals to sponsor employees' education while Concorde provides online coursework and hospitals deliver hands-on training.

The expansion addresses a critical workforce need, as respiratory therapist employment is projected to grow 12% from 2024-2034, triple the national average, with even higher growth rates of 20-24% expected in states where Concorde operates.

Positive

• Projected job growth for respiratory therapists (12%) is triple the national average, indicating strong market demand
• Expansion to accommodate 160 additional students annually across nine campuses
• Hospital partnership program has grown from 3 to 20 hospital systems across 11 states
• Strategic alignment with high-growth states showing 20-24% projected employment growth

Negative

• None.

News Market Reaction

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+0.33% News Effect

On the day this news was published, UTI gained 0.33%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Projected job growth for respiratory therapists is triple the national average for all occupations, federal data shows 

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Sept. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Concorde Career Colleges, the healthcare education division of Universal Technical Institute, Inc., is expanding access to its respiratory therapy education programs to address the rising demand nationally for skilled therapists. Specifically, Concorde is increasing enrollment in its respiratory therapy programs at nine of its campuses, in addition to growing a hospital partnership model to support rural and remote areas.

"Concorde continues to pursue strategies to meet the demand for healthcare professionals as part of our corporate North Star Strategy," said Kevin Prehn, President of Concorde Career Colleges. "By increasing access to our respiratory therapy programs, particularly in states with high demand and in rural regions, we are enabling a vital healthcare service for communities that need these positions the most."

Nationwide, employment of respiratory therapists is projected to grow 12% from 2024 to 2034, more than triple the average growth rate for all occupations.¹ In states where Concorde is growing on-campus enrollment, the demand is even higher. In California, Florida, Tennessee, and Texas, employment in this field is expected to grow between 20-24% from 2022 to 2032.²

Increasing Enrollment at Existing Concorde Campuses

Eight Concorde campuses have received programmatic approval to increase enrollment in their existing respiratory therapy programs, including: Garden Grove, North Hollywood and San Bernardino, California; Miramar and Tampa, Florida; Dallas and San Antonio, Texas; and Memphis, Tennessee. One additional campus is pending programmatic approval for the enrollment increase. Once approved, this will allow Concorde to enroll up to an additional 160 students annually through nine campuses nationwide.

"Increasing enrollment was a smart growth option for Concorde. We have strong clinical partners in these regions who have the capacity and interest in working with more of our respiratory therapy students," said Prehn.

A Growing Hospital Partnership Model

Hospital systems in rural and remote regions without nearby accredited respiratory therapy programs have increasingly struggled to find skilled professionals to fill vacancies. To help address this unique need, Concorde piloted a respiratory therapy program option in July 2023—and what began as a partnership with three healthcare systems in Missouri, Texas, and Wisconsin has since grown to include 20 hospital systems across 11 states.

Through this partnership model, hospitals identify existing high-potential employees who have an interest in pursuing a career in respiratory care, and sponsor all or part of their education cost.

"We provide all of the foundational online coursework and instruction, and our hospital partners provide the hands-on training students need to prepare them for licensure exams," said Prehn. "This innovative collaboration between educators and hospitals provides a critical solution for workforce shortages, and we're excited to see more hospital systems provide this opportunity for their employees."

Hannibal Regional Healthcare System in Northeast Missouri is one of the latest partners to join with Concorde, with two employees beginning the respiratory therapy program in July.

"At Hannibal Regional, we're excited to launch this partnership with Concorde Career Colleges. This strategic move brings incredible benefits to our hospital and, most importantly, to our patients. We're not just addressing a critical staffing need; we're actively building our workforce from the ground up," said Suzanne Dewey, Manager of Respiratory Therapy for Hannibal Regional.

Dewey added: "This incredible opportunity allows our team members to mentor our own, fostering an immediate sense of teamwork and camaraderie, and integrating our future respiratory therapists into our hospital's culture and operations from day one. This partnership is more than just an education initiative; it's an investment in strengthening our team and ensuring we are able to continue to provide the highest quality of care for our community."

¹Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook for Respiratory Therapists nationally, 2024-2034, viewed September 15, 2025.

²Source: U.S. Department of Labor, O*NET Online, Long-Term Projections, 2022-2032, for respiratory therapists in California, Florida, Tennessee, and Texas, viewed September 15, 2025.

About Concorde Career Colleges

Concorde Career Colleges, the healthcare division of Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE: UTI), operates 17 campuses across eight states and online under the brands Concorde Career College and Concorde Career Institute to prepare America's next generation of health care and dental professionals for rewarding careers. The Concorde blended education model combines online coursework with in-person lab classes and clinical settings. Concorde's student-focused academic programs and personalized support prepare graduates for in-demand careers in nursing, dental, respiratory, diagnostic and other healthcare roles. Concorde is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) and the Council on Occupational Education (COE). For more information, visit concorde.edu and uti.edu; LinkedIn at @Concorde Career Colleges and @UniversalTechnicalInstitute; or X at @ConcordeCareer and @news_UTI.

Media Contact:
Sharon Rolenc
srolenc@uti.edu
612-720-2083

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SOURCE Concorde Career Colleges

FAQ

How many additional students can Concorde Career Colleges enroll annually in its respiratory therapy programs?

Concorde Career Colleges can enroll up to 160 additional students annually through nine campuses nationwide once all approvals are received.

What is the projected job growth rate for respiratory therapists from 2024 to 2034?

The employment of respiratory therapists is projected to grow 12% from 2024 to 2034, which is more than triple the average growth rate for all occupations.

How many hospital systems are now partnered with UTI's Concorde Career Colleges for respiratory therapy education?

Concorde has expanded from 3 to 20 hospital systems across 11 states since launching the partnership model in July 2023.

Which states will see the highest growth in respiratory therapy jobs according to the press release?

In California, Florida, Tennessee, and Texas, employment in respiratory therapy is expected to grow between 20-24% from 2022 to 2032.

How does Concorde's hospital partnership model work?

Hospitals identify and sponsor high-potential employees for respiratory therapy education. Concorde provides online coursework and instruction, while hospital partners provide hands-on training for licensure exam preparation.