Garage managers are responsible for the total organization of a garage, including the supervision and control of personnel.
Garage managers hire, train, promote and terminate the services of employees in cooperation with the different sub-managers in charge of the various departments of the garage. They supervise promotional activities such as the display of specific motor vehicles parts and accessories and are directly responsible for retaining the goodwill of the public by ensuring satisfactory service and creating and maintaining a sense of shared purpose amongst the garage staff.
Satisfying Aspects
- working with people
- finding ways to satisfy customers’ needs
- working as part of a team :
Demanding aspects
- working long hours
- dealing with difficult people
Requirements
A garage manager should:
- have organizational ability;
- have leadership qualities;
- be thoroughly bilingual;
- be able to communicate well and get along with people;
- present a well-groomed appearance;
- be objective and fair;
- be able to motivate others towards a common goal and be interested in their work;
- have good business sense;
- understand accounting procedures.
School Subjects
National Senior Certificate meeting degree requirements for a degree course
National Senior Certificate meeting diploma requirements for a diploma course
Each institution will have its own minimum entry requirements.
Compulsory Subjects: None
Recommended Subjects: Mathematics, Business Studies, Economics, Accounting
Training
Degree: Some garage managers obtain managerial training from universities - RU, Monash, UWC, UNISA, UFH, UFS, NMMU, UKZN, UCT.
Diploma: Appropriate Diplomas in Management, eg CPUT, CUT, DUT, VUT and FET colleges.
Other training: most garage managers have been promoted into their jobs from positions with less authority. Many managers, for example, started their careers as motor mechanics or motor salesmen. Others obtained their training and experience in some other commercial area.
Employer
- Garage companies (as managers or as managing directors)
- Self-employment (as owners of garages)