How To Get Car Stereo Installation Training

So you want to be a car stereo installer? You watch "Pimp my Ride" and get all jazzed up by the awesome systems they put in the cars and think to yourself, 'That looks like fun.' The problem is, you don't know jack about it. Most stereo installers began their careers as hobbyists -- messing around with their own systems, tinkering and tweaking. They went into the job with real world knowledge simply by doing it themselves. Well, there are places that will help you become a professional car stereo installer without you risking frying your own stereo or one belonging to some unfortunate friend.

1. Online. Now this goes against what I just said about risking your own system, but if you get some good instruction and follow the details, then your risk lowers significantly. There are a few places that will take you through various steps of stereo installation slowly and succinctly so as insure, as much as possible, your success. About.com's car stereo information page is a great place to learn about what goes into and how to install stereos. There are others that you can find using your favorite search engine by typing "how to install a car stereo" or something similar.

2. Schooling. There seem to be more and more trade schools and technical colleges offering classes on car stereo and mobile electronics. In most cases the training for car stereos is bundled in with in car navigation, video, security and remote start training also. Most places that offer car stereo installation also offer these services so you might want this type of training if you think you would like to work in such a place. I found Carstereo.com to be helpful in locating some schools that offer this training. Again, use a search engine to find "car stereo installation training."

   You could also check your local phone book for tech schools in your area. Give them a call and see if they have any classes or programs that cover the topic. Classes can range in price from under $100 for a couple-hour class to over $1000 for a full-blown mobile electronics course.

3. On the job training. You could always learn by getting a job as a car stereo installer and being trained on the job. Bigger places such as Best Buy and Circuit City might be able to give you a job and train you at the same time. That way you will be under the watchful eye of a superior every step of the way and installing different types of components. Local shops might also be willing to do this if you can assure them of your intentions. They don't want to put time and effort into someone who is going to jet as soon as they know everything. The best thing to do is visit a few local shops and talk to the manager or ask an installer how things work in the shop with regards to hiring and training. In my opinion -- my expert opinion -- nothing beats a little hands-on training coupled with some structured basic electronics schooling. Be it a full blown technical school or some night classes, you can never know too much when it comes to car stereo installation!