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Introduction The requirements for the many jobs available in franchised new vehicle 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. 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. In many school districts you can start your training in high school: If you are out of school, or looking ahead, 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, community colleges and universities offer a wide variety of courses specializing in nearly every aspect of automotive sales and service. Specialized automotive career training programs include:
Secondary SchoolGet a Head Start in Secondary School The Industry Training Authority (ITA) manages all official automotive trade credentials in British Columbia. ITA offers two programs that allow you to start while you are still in high school. You will be able to complete both a high school education and the majority of the first year of an automotive trade apprenticeship program. These two programs are available in a growing number of school districts in British Columbia. 
ACE IT ACE IT gives students the opportunity to begin the technical (in school) component of an apprenticeship program while still in high school. Students who successfully complete an ACE IT program receive both high school graduation credits and a minimum of level 1 technical training credit. They may also receive credit for work-based training hours if job experience is part of the program in their district. ACE IT programs are developed and offered as partnerships between school districts, post-secondary institutions and industry, and classes are often taught at colleges. Contact your school district to see if they offer Automotive ACE IT. Secondary School Apprenticeship Secondary School Apprenticeship (SSA) provides students with the opportunity to begin the on-the-job training component of an apprenticeship while still in high school. A Secondary School Apprenticeship involves part-time or in some cases full-time work within a trade – something many secondary students are doing anyway. Students receive credit for a minimum of 480 hours of work-based training towards an apprenticeship program and can also earn up to 16 secondary school graduation credits. The program helps to encourage students to continue to pursue academic goals and to graduate. At the same time, it provides a smoother transition from school to work, and a quicker route to certification in a trade - and to the earning power that goes with it. Contact your school district to see if they offer Automotive SSA. Automotive Sales Training ProgramAutomotive Sales training generally takes place at the Dealership itself. There are no formal training requirements. In addition to some sales experience (not necessarily automotive), most dealerships demand a minimum of a high school diploma but many also look for college diplomas or university degrees, usually in business administration or marketing. The New Car Dealers of British Columbia work in partnership with Automotive Training Centre who offer a training program for students interested in become an automotive sales professional. Automotive Training Centre’s British Columbia campus is located in Richmond, BC. www.automotivetrainingcentre.com Automotive Apprenticeship ProgramsApprenticeship is paid, work-based training. The first thing you need to do is find a Dealership that will hire you on as an apprentice. Typically, about 80-85% of an apprenticeship is made up of work-based training and the other 15-20% is made up of technical training taken in a classroom or shop setting. The typical length of an apprenticeship for an Automotive Service Technician is four years. Successful completion of both components, along with examinations, is required before an apprentice earns a certificate or ticket, and becomes a journeyperson in his or her trade. Automotive Service Technician is an inter-provincial "Red Seal" trade with nationally recognized certification standards. 
Apprenticeship programs are offered in the following automotive trades:
Each school offers its own unique set of programs. Check out our list and links to find the school and program that best suits your interest. British Columbia Schools Offering Automotive Apprenticeship ProgramsAvailable apprentice options differ at each institution. Go to each school’s web site for full details. BCIT (British Columbia Institute of Technology) Camosun College College of the Rockies Kwantlen University College Malaspina College North Island College Northwest Community College Okanagan College Selkirk College University College of the Fraser Valley (UCFV) Vancouver Community College (VCC) Automotive Pre-Apprentice ProgramsIf you are not yet ready to be an apprentice, Automotive Pre-Apprentice Foundation Programs may be your answer. These Foundation programs a new category of ITA credentialed pre-apprenticeship program. They provide trainees with the knowledge and essential skills needed for entry into a particular industry occupation and may precede entry into an apprenticeship program, and can be a good option for those who want to gain exposure to a trade before seeking an employer or committing to a full apprenticeship. Foundation programs involve minimal employment based training and as such, trainees are not required to have sponsors. Foundation programs may provide credit towards an apprenticeship industry training program. For example, Entry Level Trades Training (ELTT) programs are a type of foundation program that provide a minimum credit of Level 1 technical training towards an apprenticeship program. Pre-Apprentice programs are offered in the following automotive trades:
Each school offers its own unique set of programs. Check out our list and links to find the school and program that best suits your interest. Schools with Pre-Apprentice ProgramsThese are the post-secondary schools that offer Pre-Apprenticeship Foundation programs. Available options differ at each institution. Go to each school’s web site for full details. BCIT (British Columbia Institute of Technology) Camosun College College of New Caledonia College of the Rockies Kwantlen University College Malaspina College North Island College Northern Lights College Northwest Community College Okanagan College Selkirk College Thompson Rivers University University College of the Fraser Valley Vancouver Community College Automotive Training Centre – Sales, Management, Trades ProgramsThe New Car Dealers of British Columbia work in partnership with Automotive Training Centres. You can take training to become an automotive sales professional as well as programs in automotive industry managements and trades. Courses and programs are government accredited and industry recognized. Training centres include classrooms, advanced automotive mechanics shops, and auto body repair facilities designed to give you the hands-on training to succeed as an automotive professional. Automotive Training Centre’s British Columbia campus is located in Richmond. Link to Dealer Administration and Management ProgramsThe New Car Dealers of British Columbia work in partnership with two different post-secondary institutions who provide Dealer Administration and Management Programs: Canadian Dealership Management Program The New Car Dealers Association of British Columbia in partnership with other industry associations in B.C. and Alberta have teamed up with SAIT to provide a comprehensive twelve course Canadian Dealership Management Program. The courses have been designed to provide automobile dealership management expertise and practical skills in day to day operations. Upon completion of the 12 courses, a student will earn a SAIT certificate in Applied Management that can be laddered into future educations credentials such as Diplomas and Degrees. 
Link to Brochure (PDF, 608KB) Link to Application form (PDF, 198KB) Canadian Automotive Institute Founded in 1985, the Canadian Automotive Institute at Georgian College in Barrie, Ontario, has continued its mandate to provide the automotive industry with business professionals capable of taking a leadership role within this challenging environment. This ambitious initiative was undertaken in co-operation with the Canadian automotive industry, including associations, corporate manufacturers, retailers and aftermarket sectors, and Georgian College. British Columbia students who attend The Canadian Automotive Institute may work towards the Bachelor of Applied Business - Automotive Management degree program or the Business Administration - Automotive Marketing diploma program Link to:
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