Questions and Answers
All participants in the STEP programs are free as long as they agree to sign a one-year job contract with a licensed BMW dealership in the United States upon graduation. Students enrolled in the STEP program must also be able to support themselves.
While in training, students in the Body and Paint department are paid an hourly wage, but not the automotive students.
For consideration, candidates for the BMW Automotive STEP program must have successfully completed a post-secondary (college or trade school) automotive program with a GPA of at least 3.0 and a 95% attendance record or above. Graduates of the MMI institute are required to be Motorrad students.
Applicants must have completed a post-secondary or high school automotive collision repair program or be working as an entry-level body and paint technician in a BMW collision repair facility in order to be accepted into the Level 1 BMW Body and Paint STEP program.
A driving history, a resume, and, if appropriate, a transcript from an automotive or collision program are required of applicants.
Yes. In the event that we decide you are a good fit for the program after receiving and reviewing your application materials, we will set up an interview.
- It takes four months to complete the 16-week BMW Automotive curriculum.
- The Motorrad program lasts 8–10 weeks, depending on the release of new models.
- The first level of the Body and Paint curriculum lasts six months.
- Graduates of the BMW automotive program will be certified at the Associate and Member levels.
- Graduates from motorrad programs attain a level 2+.
Finding accommodation and maintaining your financial stability are your duties if you have to move to attend courses.
In This Article...
THE BMW STEP
Do you ever have dreams concerning the engine? Enroll in the BMW Service Technician Education Program to begin your BMW career.
The most thorough program for developing BMW technicians in North America is BMW STEP. Our programs include specializations in BMW, MINI, Body and Paint, and Motorrad (motorcycles), where students receive excellent workshop-based, practical training to become familiar with some of the most cutting-edge automotive technology now in use. We work hard to ensure that all devout, driven students realize their full potential.
Over 3,000 alumni have come out of the STEP program since it began in 1996, the majority of them are still employed with dealerships today.
South Carolina’s STEP Training Center Is Opened By BMW
Running a global automobile is one thing; running a global luxury automaker is quite another. While we typically associate BMW with the construction, restoration, and racing of automobiles and the tens of thousands of employees who make up BMW Manufacturing, there is also a vast workforce of technicians who are experts at maintaining the BMWs that we own, drive, and lust after. Each of these technicians has undergone STEP.
To become a BMW Master Technician, you must complete STEP, or BMW’s Service Technician Education Program. It is a component of what the company refers to as BMW Group University and is the most comprehensive course available on all things BMW, covering everything from mechanical fundamentals to high-voltage EV batteries, as well as multiple vehicle generations, electrical systems, propulsion systems, and body design. Imagine all the various things that spring to mind when we think of BMW maintenance and repair, such as E46 M3 valve adjustments and i8 carbon fiber bodywork repairs, and then keep in mind that a BMW-trained technician needs to be prepared for everything.
Thankfully, the two-year curriculum considers all of this as it prepares aspiring technicians for successful careers with BMW at dealerships across the nation. But to do so requires a substantial investment—$56 million, to be exact—in spite of rising sales and changing technology.
The stunning building that only just opened in Greer, South Carolina, a short distance from the BMW CCA headquarters and, of course, Plant Spartanburg, BMW’s largest production facility on Earth, is one of the first outcomes of the company’s effort for a more effective training infrastructure. The building is huge and well-kept, and it is designed after the training grounds at Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey, but it is better lit, has more classroom space for students, as well as lifts, bays, and other hands-on places.
The new 35,000-square-foot facility will provide even more opportunities for interested individuals, frequently those who have graduated from a technical college or program and are interested in moving into the next stage of their careers, as was highlighted in the media during the building’s debut. Of course, there are a few things to note for such a popular program. The facility in question is intended for STEP 2 participants, or those who have already finished the first BMW STEP course in their technician education, but it should also be able to further and retrain current dealer technicians in the most recent design and engineering techniques in addition to providing second-year students with a more in-depth education.
These methods are becoming more prevalent, and as BMW Group pushes for electrification more aggressively, they’ll need to recruit more specialists who can quickly learn a new platform, like the carbon-cored G12 7 Series, or operate the intricate high-voltage hybrid battery system in an i8.
ENTER THE BMW SERVICE TECHNICIAN EDUCATION PROGRAM TO BEGIN YOUR BMW CAREER (STEP)
Do you enjoy being surrounded by highly advanced vehicles? Do you take pleasure in fixing issues and changing the world? BMW STEP offers free training, specialized programs, job placement, and exceptional earning potential to dedicated graduates of post-secondary automotive schools or colleges. Visit us to learn more about a fulfilling job on The Ultimate Driving Machine (r). The most thorough program for developing BMW technicians in North America is BMW STEP. Our programs include specializations in BMW, MINI, Body and Paint, and Motorrad (motorcycles), where students receive excellent workshop-based, practical training to become familiar with some of the most cutting-edge automotive technology now in use. We work hard to ensure that all devout, driven students realize their full potential. Over 3,000 alumni have come out of the STEP program since it began in 1996, the majority of them are still employed with dealerships today. At BMW dealer locations across the USA, there is a great demand for BMW STEP students. BMW will cover your BMW STEP training if you accept a position with a BMW Dealer after graduation. Although many students continue working for BMW throughout their careers, they are obliged to work at the BMW Dealer site for a year.
Does BMW Steptronic work well?
There are three operating modes for the Steptronic transmission. The first mode, fully automatic drive, frees the driver’s attention from shifting concerns so they may concentrate on other areas of driving. A manual/sport driving option, which is the second, causes the engine to rev higher before shifting. The third mode is a manual shift option that gives the driver complete control over the shifting of the car.
Tip the driver selector forward and backward in the desired gear to switch from the manual/sport mode to full manual. The steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters can also be used. In the end, you’ll have control over the car’s gears. However, the transmission can prevent you from revving the engine too much or moving into an unsafe gear.
Additionally, the driving modes Sport, Comfort, and Eco Pro are available on some BMW models. When in the Comfort and Eco drive modes, the transmission will shift at a lower point.
Despite the driver’s high level of skill, the BMW Steptronic transmission has demonstrated greater performance than a vehicle driven with a manual-shift transmission. This transmission is extremely sophisticated and offers drivers a great deal of versatility without sacrificing the driving pleasure. BMW is the brand you choose if you want to drive a quick, high-performance car.
The Steptronic transmission is a common feature in many different BMW models. It’s time to think about a BMW if you want a fantastic driving experience.
How much time does it take to become a master tech for BMW?
A Level 1 Master Technician must fulfill a variety of requirements. There is a widespread misperception that it has to do with ASE Certification. That is not the situation. Only the BMW dealership can teach a Level 1 Master Technician. In actuality, being a level 1 Master Technician requires at least five years of dealership experience. It requires completion of BMW-specific training in addition to experience.
BMW Fast Track: What is it?
The intensive, BMW-specific FastTrack elective program trains students over the course of 12 weeks while also providing advanced instruction in the brand’s exclusive computer techniques and diagnostic procedures.
How can I train to work at BMW in South Africa?
BMW mechanics, also known as BMW technicians, are just like other mechanics with the exception that they only work on BMW vehicles.
A community college or technical institute is where aspiring BMW mechanics should initially enroll to obtain an associate’s degree or diploma in automotive technology.
An prospective mechanic can apply for entry-level roles at auto repair shops or service centers after completing the necessary automotive technology training to gain a few years of practical experience in a real work setting. Having this experience will be crucial in getting a job as a more senior mechanic.
Although it is not always necessary, ASE certification can significantly boost a mechanic’s work options. The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence is the organization that provides and oversees this kind of certification.
The BMW Service Technician Education Program should be completed by mechanics who are committed to becoming fully qualified BMW technicians (STEP). STEP is a speciality course that functions as a school for BMW mechanics;
In South Africa, how long does it take to become a mechanic?
In South Africa, you can attend a technical institution or university to pursue a career as a mechanic. To become a licensed mechanic, you must finish a three-year apprenticeship.
A mechanic does maintenance, repairs, and testing on internal combustion engines and motor vehicles. They carry out auto diagnostic checks and fix broken machinery. In addition to checking drive equipment and carrying out other jobs, a motor mechanic must produce reports, use parts catalogs, and work on other chores. In South Africa, you can begin studying motor mechanics in 2022. National Technical Training (NTC) courses are offered by a rising number of distance learning colleges, including College SA. Applications for the Motor Mechanics program must be accompanied by a minimum of three years of automotive experience. The NC(V) program falls within the NATED Article Category.
In order to prosper, a mechanic must pursue education, training, and study. The yearly wage for a mechanic in South Africa is R 553193.39. A flat rate approach is used to pay mechanics, so they are only paid once their work is finished. The physical work of a mechanic can be quite satisfying.
Do BMW auto gearboxes require maintenance?
For 8 Speed Tiptronic/Steptronic models, ZF 8HP Automatic Transmission oil and filter service is required.
Your Tiptronic gearbox requires routine oil changes because it is an extremely complex piece of engineering. With extremely precise engineering tolerances, the system is computer controlled. The performance will be impacted and other components will be damaged if the gearbox oil is filthy.
The gearbox may overheat or the clutches may burn out as a result of dirty oil. Poor gear selection, drive loss, and transmission failure will result from this.
Although ZF (the company that actually manufactures the gearbox for BMW) recommends an oil and filter service every 62,000 miles (100k) or 8 years, whichever comes first, despite BMW’s claim that the gearbox on these vehicles is “sealed for life.”
What degree of auto mechanic is the highest?
The “Blue Seal of Excellence” title, which is given to car repair facilities and dealers who provide exceptional customer service and hire staff who are at least 75% ASE Certified, is the organization’s highest honor. These top-tier facilities, which provide comprehensive repair and maintenance services, are among the best in the country.
Repair shops need to hire the best in the business if they want to give you quality vehicle maintenance and care. You can learn more about their staff’s level of expertise, experience, and commitment to their professions through the ASE Certification program.
The ASE Certification program is your assurance that the vehicle you and your family invested in and on which safety depends will receive only the best servicing.