ayrtonsenna - before you throw down the cash at UTI, go talk with the local dealership and ask if they have an apprentice program. This is becoming a very common program these days. Locally car dealerships are advertising this on TV. You work part-time and they flip the bill to the local CC for auto engineering. Now of course the catch is you have to repay them by being a loyal employee or repay them the dollars they invested in you.
Here is a link to the program
http://www.hindscc.edu/Departments/CareerTechCenter/Programs/AutomotiveMechanics.aspx