If you are looking for an exciting, rewarding career, the retail automotive industry represents an excellent opportunity. It is a dynamic industry that is constantly changing to meet the needs of a high-tech society. And it is an industry that offers a wide variety of challenging, well-paying jobs for qualified, motivated people.
The modern dealership is a total transportation center, often with six or more separate operations under one roof: new-vehicle sales, used-vehicle sales, leasing and rentals, finance and insurance, service, body repairs and parts and accessories. The current trend in growth is toward multi-franchise dealerships.
Each department employs people with a wide variety of skills who work together as a team to make the dealership successful. The work is seldom dull. Every day is different in a dealership, and there is a great deal of pride and satisfaction in knowing you have done your job well as part of a successful team.
There are many entry-level jobs in an auto or truck dealership, but no one gets "stuck" in these jobs. Regardless of where you start, your willingness to work and your skills, experience, education and training are rewarded with better jobs and higher pay.
How high you go and how much you earn in a franchised dealership are entirely up to you.
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The requirements for the many jobs available in franchised new-car dealerships may vary from dealer to dealer. But it goes almost without saying that the better prepared you are, the greater your chances of success.
If you are in school, stay in school. In today's very competitive job market, nearly all employers can demand a high school diploma or its equivalent. Courses in automotive service are important, and so is a background in business, electronics, mathematics or computer science. A college degree can be a definite advantage if sales or management positions are your goal. Ask your school's guidance or career counselor for help in planning the curriculum that best suits your needs.
If you are out of school, there are a number of training opportunities available that will help prepare you for either sales or service jobs in a dealership. High school adult education classes, technical institutes, junior and community colleges and universities offer a wide variety of courses specializing in nearly every aspect of automotive sales and service.
Many local and state automobile and truck dealer associations also have information on training programs in your area, and they may be able to advise you on which jobs are in demand, the qualifications necessary, and which dealerships are hiring. Look for the automotive trade association in your area.
Your local dealer is an excellent source of information on training programs and job requirements for technical careers in your area. Some automotive training programs require that you be employed by a sponsoring dealership to participate. Contact a local domestic or import dealer for more information.
Automotive Youth Educational Systems (AYES) is a partnership among participating automotive manufacturers, participating dealers, and selected high schools/tech prep schools. It's designed to encourage young people to consider satisfying careers in retail automotive service, and prepare them for entry-level career positions or advanced studies in automotive technology. Through its dealership and school partners, AYES strives to enhance the public image of dealerships and dealership careers, build local partnerships between dealerships and high quality schools, and foster positive working environments in dealerships. AYES is providing "how to" ideas and support materials on conducting dealership tours for educators and youngsters, offering "job shadowing" opportunities, and taking part in "career days" and "career fairs" at local schools. For more information, call (888) 664-0044, e-mail info@autoyes.com, or write: AYES, 50 W. Big Beaver, Suite 145, Troy, MI 48084.
Auto Careers Today is an online resource for military personnel, students and others interested in understanding the auto technician training requirements and career path. Designed in collaboration with the military and educational professionals, autojobstoday.org includes information about careers, salaries and available training, and it serves as a clearinghouse for the auto industry's service technician career program information. Military veterans, as well as parents, educators and students, can enter the site through customized portal pages that feature shortcuts to information tailored to their backgrounds and interests.
The local or state agency responsible for education or employment may have information on training programs in your area. Check in the telephone book under state, city or county offices.
A list of accredited home-study schools is available from the National Home Study Council, 1601 18th Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009, telephone (202) 234-5100.
A list of accredited technical schools is available from the Career College Association, 750 First Street N.E., Suite 900, Washington, D.C. 20002, telephone 202/336-6700, or visit http://www.career.org.
The National Automotive Technicians Educational Foundation (NATEF) certifies technical schools in automotive service training and offers a video entitled "Career Tracks" that is available from your school or career guidance office. Its affiliate, the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), offers an excellent testing and certification program for service technicians. For more information on NATEF, ASE or "Career Tracks," contact ASE, 13505 Dulles Technology Drive, Herndon, Va. 22071-3415, telephone (703) 713-3800, or visit http://www.asecert.org/channels/about.cfm.
Through cooperating colleges and technical schools around the country, many automobile manufacturers offer two-year programs leading to an associate's degree in automotive technology. The training combines classroom instruction with on-the-job experience. You must be sponsored by a dealership to participate. Many domestic and import manufacturers also offer management training programs. Contact the corporate offices of the manufacturer for more information.
Supported by NADA, Northwood University offers a two-year associate's degree program in automotive marketing or automotive aftermarket management, and a four-year bachelor of business administration degree with a major in automotive marketing. Students can also complete the Certified Automotive Merchandiser (CAM) program offered by NADA on Northwood's Michigan campus and through Northwood correspondence courses.
NADA's Dealer Academy offers a combination of classroom and in-dealership training for dealer successors and general managers. You must be sponsored by a dealership to enroll in the Dealer Candidate Academy or the General Dealership Management Program. Visit Dealer Academy online at www.dealeracademy.org, e-mail academy@nada.org, or call phone (703) 821-7216.