Additional Information
Not all car stereo installers have formal training. Some start out by installing
stereos in their own cars and in their friends' cars.
Then they might get a job -- any job -- in a car stereo shop. That way
they can learn by watching.
As with so many professions, it helps if you already know somebody in the
business.
"If they could possibly just go to work in a car stereo store, that would
be the best way," says Ian Walls. He owns a car stereo store. "But that's
hard because you need some credentials to get in, or [you need to] know somebody
to get your foot in the door."
If you don't know anybody in the car stereo business, it's best to get
some formal training.
"If a person doesn't have [connections], then a certificate shows someone
has gone to the effort and expense to get some training," says Walls. "It
shows commitment."
Vince Edwards agrees. He's an installer and sales manager at a car stereo
shop. "Realistically, the best way to do it is not just to say, 'I've installed
a stereo in my car,' but having some other experience," says Edwards. "So
having a certificate, having gone to a car audio course, definitely helps."
"Right now, I'd say everybody that works here has had some amount of [formal]
training in the past," says Walls. "That includes salespeople who've learned
about installing so they can do a better job advising customers, and that
includes myself."
You can get formal training at a number of car stereo installation schools
across North America.
One such school is Mobile Technical Training in New Jersey. The school's
mobile electronic installation and fabrication course can take between 10
and 26 weeks (depending on whether students are part time or full time).
Carlos Zambrano was a car audio installer and now works as an admissions
representative for the New Jersey training school. He says previous work experience
isn't necessary.
"We teach from the ground up -- what a speaker is, what it does," Zambrano
says. "So even if you don't have experience, you can still do it. The introductory
segment is basically an introduction to the whole field."
Once students complete their training, they are encouraged to take the
Mobile Electronics Certified Professional (MECP) exam.
The MECP program is the national certification standard in the U.S. Many
companies require certification, but it is not a legal necessity. It allows
installers to demonstrate their skills by passing a written exam.
More than 35,000 installation technicians have been certified by the MECP
since 1991.
Each year, 5,000 installation technicians and salespeople take the certification
exam.
The increasing complexity of car stereo technology means that installers
need to keep learning.
"Automakers are continuing to integrate more features into their vehicles,"
says Theresa Hephner. She's the national accounts director for a car stereo
manufacturer in Arizona.
"They often tie security systems, climate control and door controls to
the factory stereo," she explains. "This makes it difficult to replace the
factory stereo with an aftermarket one, or to add aftermarket equipment like
amplifiers or video screens. This complexity forces the installer to actively
seek new information about vehicles coming on to the market.
"Most of the wiring information and product details are offered online
now," Hephner adds. "So today, installers not only need a strong knowledge
of automotive electrical systems, they also need to be computer and web savvy."