BMW program helps students STEP into a career.

• Date: 10 July 2019

Training programs for the technicians who fix and repair cars at BMW and Mini dealerships are delivered through BMW Group University's STEP program, or Service Technician Education Program.

Gary Uyematsu, national technical training manager for BMW North America, said the company thinks of STEP as a career path. Some of the graduates remain technicians but grow to master level or leadership positions such as shop foreman. Others move to other parts of the company through sales or management.

Six versions of the STEP program are delivered at nine locations in North America. About 80% of the training takes place with hands on the equipment, he said. The other 20% takes place in a classroom.

The new centers in Spartanburg and Atlanta will train technicians in current and future vehicle technologies and electric drivetrains, according to a news release.

STEP is a 16-week BMW technical training program that accepts candidates from post-secondary automotive training...