Requirements for many jobs vary from dealer to dealer. To find out exactly how to qualify for a specific job, ask the dealer or manager in charge. A substantial number of jobs require no postsecondary education---more than half of all workers in the industry have no formal education beyond high school. In today’s competitive job market, however, nearly all dealers demand a high school diploma. Courses in automotive technology are important for service jobs, as well as a basic background in business, electronics, mathematics, computers, and science. Sales workers require strong communication skills to deal with the public because they represent the dealer.
Most new salespersons receive extensive on-the-job training, beginning with mentoring from sales managers and experienced sales workers. In large dealers, beginners receive several days of classroom training to learn the models for sale, methods for approaching prospective customers, negotiation techniques, and ways to close sales. Some manufacturers furnish training manuals and other informational materials for sales workers. Managers continually guide and train sales workers, both on the job and at periodic sales meetings.
Some service technicians and repairers may begin as apprentices or trainees, helpers, or lubrication workers. They work under close supervision of experienced technicians, repairers, and service managers. Even though beginners may be able to perform routine service tasks and make simple repairs after a few months on the job, they usually need 1 to 2 years of experience to acquire enough skills to become a certified service technician.
Automotive technology is rapidly increasing in sophistication, and dealers prefer to hire graduates of postsecondary automotive training programs for trainee positions. Graduates of such programs often earn promotion to the journey level after only a few months on the job. Most community and junior colleges and vocational and technical schools offer postsecondary automotive training programs leading to an associate degree in automotive technology or auto body repair. They generally provide intense career preparation through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on practice. Good reading and basic math skills also are required to study technical manuals, keep abreast of new technology, and learn new service and repair techniques.
Various automotive manufacturers and their participating dealers sponsor 2-year associate degree programs at postsecondary schools across the Nation. Students in these programs typically spend alternate 10- to 12-week periods attending classes full time and working full time in the service departments of sponsoring dealers. Dealers increasingly send experienced technicians to factory training centers to receive special training in the repair of components, such as electronic fuel injection or air-conditioning. Factory representatives also visit many shops to conduct short training sessions.
Workers need years of experience in sales, service, or administration to advance to management positions in dealers. Employers increasingly prefer persons with 4-year college degrees in business administration and marketing, particularly in dealers that are larger, more competitive, and more efficient. Some motor vehicle manufacturers offer management training classes and seminars.