Automobile business administrators in the fast lane

Digitalisation, networking and electromobility are accelerating the already high rate of development and innovation in the automotive sector. Modern vehicles are being equipped with new functions and driving characteristics which provide support for drivers in the form of a range of persistent systems. The increasing complexity of the products means that the focus is shifting increasingly into the area of after sales in the automotive trade. The Internet has become significantly more important in the automotive business. Digital support is also increasingly required in the showrooms. This is impacting on commercial areas such as marketing and distribution. On behalf of the Federal Government, and together with social partners and experts from company practice, the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) has therefore brought vocational training for automobile business administrators up to date.

New to the updated training regulation is greater involvement of the different areas of the operation. For example, there is an emphasis on the role of automobile business administrators as the interface between sales and the workshop since basic knowledge of workshop processes and vehicle technologies is an im-portant basis of all commercial activities. The area of customer service and servicing has also been further developed with aspects of customer mobility and the use of digital information systems.

Greater emphasis has been placed on communication skills, changes to legal frameworks, data protection and data security. Also new is the greater consideration given to sustainability and environmental aware-ness in the form of the disposal of vehicle components and operating materials in an environmentally friendly manner.

The updated training regulation has been structured with a focus on competencies. This means that vocational activities are described taking into account the technical, methodological, social and personal competencies and the description is focused on company-based working and business processes. All trainees experience the main areas of the operation — parts and accessories, workshop, customer service and servicing, marketing, vehicle trade and distribution, financial services, personnel, and commercial management and control. The current division into areas of operation has been removed.

Automobile business administrators work in automotive sector companies predominantly in car dealerships and also at vehicle importers and with automotive manufacturers. They provide support in vehicle sales by means of preparatory and follow-up commercial activities, however the sale of the vehicle itself is not an element of the training occupation. For those automobile business administrators who are interested in this, automotive manufacturers offer continued education and training as a certified automotive sales advisor. This training is established within the sector. In terms of career advancement, a range of advanced training is also available to automobile business administrators. For example, a range of business administrator qualifications are available, such as certified commercial business administrator or certified business administrator for marketing or purchasing as well as — on the next level above — advanced training as certified business economist.

The number of trainees has increased continually since the introduction of the training occupation in 1998. In 2016 alone, over 5100 people signed a new training contract as automobile business administrator.

The now updated training regulation for the company-based element and the framework curriculum for the school-based section — which is tailored to the company-based element — enter into force on 1 August and replace the existing training regulations from 1998.

Image material is available at www.bibb.de/pressefotos.

Contact partners at BIBB:
Gabriele Jordanski
Anita Milolaza

Specimen copy requested if printed.