If you are an automotive mechanic who wants to improve and gain the skills and certifications that Smart dealerships, other service centers, and automotive technician jobs in general are searching for, you might consider getting Smart dealership certified.
Over the years, everything has gotten “smarter.” Smartphones are everywhere. We even have smart watches now too. On roads across the country, you’ll also find smart cars. Perhaps the most popular version available is made by a company under the prestigious Daimler AG name. The Smart brand was actually a concept all the way back in the early 70s that was developed through the 80s until the subsidiary was launched in 1994 and finally produced a model for the road in 1998. Since then, these automobiles have found more and more fans who appreciate their amazing gas mileage and maneuverability.
For this reason, many mechanics are focusing on finding automotive technician jobs that deal with Smart automobiles. With electric versions now available, these innovative vehicles definitely don’t seem to be losing any steam. Therefore, if you’d like to ensure you earn a competitive auto mechanic salary for the foreseeable future, it would be a good idea to learn how to service these cars. Better still, keep reading to find out how you can become Smart dealership certified.
Becoming Smart dealership certified
United Technical Institute is one of the most popular – if not the most popular – training resource for mechanics from all around the world. It’s well documented that if you graduate from UTI with impressive marks, you’ll lock in an equally impressive auto mechanic salary and definitely won’t have any problem finding automotive tech jobs in your area. A recognized name like UTI says a lot about your abilities.
This is why so many automobile manufacturers partner with UTI. Doing so leverages the organization’s proven system and takes advantage of their established reach which means the manufacturers can be guaranteed that their customers never have a hard time finding mechanics to work on their vehicles.
As Mercedes-Benz has long since partnered with UTI, you can go to this reputable company for your training in how to service Smart automobiles. The Elite START program is focused on Mercedes-Benz vehicles but is only offered through UTI. It takes just 12 weeks to complete. Students who take this course learn how to:
- Do light repairs
- Perform basic maintenance work
- Adhere to Mercedes-Benz’s guidelines for operations and procedures at dealerships
After you complete this program, you can then go on to become a Qualified Technician. You’ll only need to complete six months of work at an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership. Given how expensive Smart vehicles are (albeit most would agree the price tag is worth it), if you haven’t been through the Elite Start Program, you’ll have a hard time getting hired on as a mechanic, especially if you’re applying to a dealership.
The DRIVE program
For those who want to take things further, the famous German manufacturer also has their DRIVE program. This one takes 16 weeks to complete and is targeted at mechanics who want to advance their job prospects at Mercedes-Benz dealerships.
This is a far more competitive program and will only be open to those who have already been to some kind of auto mechanic school and, generally, have experience working on Mercedes-Benz vehicles. As opposed to the other program, Mercedes-Benz pays for the students’ education for this one, so they are really only looking to accept the best of the best.
If you are accepted, you will be spending the majority of your time in a lab going over the major components and systems of these luxury vehicles. That will include Smart automobiles. A lot of emphasis is also placed on deductive reasoning so that students are trained to find the source of a problem when it may not be immediately clear.
Here are some of the topics this course will cover over four months:
- Electrical components
- Telematics
- Suspension
- Climate Control
- Engine Management Systems
These and other subjects are all relevant to working on Smart automobiles too. They even offer career development classes which will definitely improve your ability to find and keep mechanic jobs and advance in your role over time.
After graduation and working at a dealership for six months, you can go on to achieve Systems Technician status which will do even more for your job prospects.
If you’re interested in this type of training, you’ll need to attend class at one of their three campuses in Long Beach, CA, Jacksonville, FL or Norwood, MA.
As you can see, there are a number of reasons to become Smart dealership certified. Not only will you be poised to benefit from a type of vehicle that continues to be in demand, but by taking one of the two courses outlined above, you’ll also learn to work on any model made by Mercedes-Benz too, which means even more automotive technician jobs will be available to you.
If you’re already a certified mechanic and you’re interested in working with YourMechanic, submit an online application for an opportunity to become a mobile mechanic.
