YTI is a private post-secondary institution of higher education serving south-central Pennsylvania and northern Maryland. The Institute offers degree programs, as well as programs leading to professional certifications and diplomas. YTI was established in 1967, when local businessmen in York, Pennsylvania, started a co-educational institution to train entry-level draftsmen in response to the expressed needs of area industries. The initial location of the Institute was on Richland Avenue in York. The first program was in Design Drafting Technology. In 1979, the National Association of Trade and Technical Schools (now known as the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools & Colleges of Technology) granted its initial accreditation to the institution. In 1981, the Institute moved to West King Street in downtown York. It began offering a program in Electronics Technology in 1984. One year later, it moved to a location on Whiteford Road in Springettsbury Township, a nearby suburb.
In 1985, the Institute expanded its program offerings with its initial business programs. The Institute developed these programs as a result of market research showing the York area had viable employment needs in these fields. In 1987, the Pennsylvania Department of Education authorized YTI to award the Associate in Specialized Technology and Associate in Specialized Business degrees.
In the fall of 1992, the Institute leased additional classroom facilities at the Cyber Center on Pennsylvania Ave in York, and began offering a diploma program in Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Technology at the site. In the face of continually increasing enrollments and new program offerings, the Institute purchased 13 acres on Williams Road in Springettsbury Township and broke ground in the summer of 1994 for a new 60,000 square foot facility.
In July 1995, the Institute moved into its new campus and more technology programs were added.
At the beginning of 1999, another Associate in Specialized Business Degree program in Culinary Arts/Restaurant Management was introduced and in 2000, the Institute began offering a diploma program in Pastry Arts. The majority of the Culinary Arts/Restaurant Management program and Pastry Arts program were offered at the Culinary Arts Center of Lancaster County Career and Technology located in Mount Joy, Pennsylvania.
Due to the success of the culinary programs, YTI decided to purchase a 52,000 square-foot facility located at 3050 Hempland Road, Lancaster, PA, to accommodate its growing student population. Also, the new location provides the opportunity to add additional programs. In the fall of 2003, YTI closed the Mt. Joy locations and opened the Lancaster campus.
Due to strong market demands, the allied health division was created and started its first program, Medical Assistant in July 2004. Also in July 2004, the Public Safety & Security Administration (since renamed Criminal Justice & First Response) program began at the Lancaster campus. The Medical Office Assistant program started its first students in October 2004. Medical Coding was added in October 2005 and Dental Assisting in October 2006.
In 2006, the school changed its name to YTI Career Institute. Also in 2006, YTI purchased the Computer Learning Network schools in Altoona and Mechanicsburg.
The Computer Learning Network was incorporated in Pennsylvania as the Computer Learning Center, Inc. in March of 1982, and the first classes began in July of 1982. In June of 1987, the Computer Learning Center, Inc. was purchased by Continental Training Services of Indianapolis, Indiana. Shortly thereafter, the name of the school was officially changed to Computer Learning Network. In February 1988, the school was granted approval to operate a branch campus in Altoona, Pennsylvania. In June 1992, the Altoona facility was approved as a free-standing private career school. On November 12, 1992, the school was purchased by officers of the school under the corporate name of CLN Acquisition, Inc. d/b/a Computer Learning Network.
Medical programs were added to the school's menu of programs in 1994. In 2000 the Massage Therapy Practitioner program was added.
Due to the success of the motorcycle program, YTI decided to open the Motorcycle Technology Center, a 15,000 square foot facility located at 52 Grumbacher Road to accommodate its growing Motorcycle Technology program.
YTI has grown significantly from its small beginnings some 39 years ago and now serves a population of approximately 1000 students at the York campus, 600 students at the Lancaster campus, 200 students at the Altoona campus, and 400 at the Mechanicsburg campus. The YTI schools remain committed to its mission of serving the career and personal goals of students and meeting the employment needs of business in the local region.
