Whether you’ve just stepped into management or you’re preparing for your first leadership role, the Professional Foundation with Honours in Automotive Management – PFA (Hons) has been written specifically to accelerate your transition into leadership. It gives you the structure, the knowledge, and the confidence to lead with clarity right from day one.

It’s called “The Leadership Foundation Launchpad” because it equips new managers with the essential leadership skills and operational understanding needed to succeed across all departments including: Sales, Service, Parts, and Bodyshop. It removes the uncertainty, connects the dots between functions, and shows you how to lead a team, manage performance, and contribute to the bigger picture of business success.

This qualification is the ideal first step for those who aspire to become outstanding leaders. It prepares you to deliver measurable results in the real world, improving efficiency, elevating customer experience, building trust, and supporting commercial performance.

It is a Level 5 Professional Foundation qualification, created exclusively for the automotive industry. When you’re ready to build a successful and respected management career, this is where it begins.

Yes, the PFA (Hons) holds the same academic equivalence as a traditional university foundation degree, as is verified by the UK Government Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation, known as Ofqual, but with one powerful distinction; it’s built specifically for the automotive industry.

While most degrees offer management theory, the PFA (Hons) delivers practical, real-world knowledge that applies directly to Sales, Aftersales, Bodyshop, and real-world Leadership that is required in a modern-day dealership.

It’s built for driven professionals who want to master their management role fast, no fluff, no filler, just powerful content that delivers real performance gains in Sales, Aftersales, and Bodyshop.

As one of our delegates said after applying just one component of our programme:

“I am studying an MBA at university, but as you know, it’s just not enough! It gives ONLY general information in management. No one is specific, and no one has the experience in automotive, nor do they have the knowledge that you provide”.
Amr Abdullah

That’s the difference. The PFA (Hons) gives you what traditional education doesn’t; it provides you with knowledge that fits your industry, your career, and your ambition.

A traditional university Foundation Degree is is typically a Level 5 generic business qualification, a  Bachelor’s degree is typically a Level 6 generic business qualification, and a Master’s Degree is a Level 7 generic business qualification. They all provide broad academic knowledge, but neither of them equip you with the real-world, automotive-specific expertise needed to become a high-performing manager in a modern-day dealership. Universities provide a wide range of knowledge, but they don’t teach specific industry knowledge at this high level.

The PFA (Hons) – Professional Foundation with Honours in Automotive Management is completely different. It has been created by The CMI along with Jeff Smith, who has trained thousands of automotive managers globally, worked with the world’s top achievers, and distilled over 40 years of frontline leadership experience into one powerful programme; The Leadership Foundation Launchpad.

This is a Professional Qualification which is not about a broad range of academic theory; it’s specific to the automotive industry. It’s about practical, proven strategies that help you lead in the real world of automotive retail.

So if your goal is to rise through the ranks in automotive management, and you want to shortcut the generic learning curve by gaining the specific knowledge that actually matters in the dealership environment, then this professional qualification is for you.

If you already have a degree, that’s a solid start. But this is your opportunity to gain the correct professional qualification for your future in automotive management.

Yes, the PFA (Hons) is internationally recognised. It is a Level 5 qualification, which places it at the same level as a traditional Foundation Degree, and it is officially regulated and verified by Ofqual. This is the UK government’s Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation. Ofqual is the government authority that sets and regulates the standards for recognised qualifications across universities, awarding bodies, and educational institutions, ensuring consistency, credibility, and academic integrity.

The awarding body for the qualification is the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). They are the only professional body for managers in the UK with a Royal Charter. In partnership with CMI, we’ve created professional qualifications tailored specifically for the automotive industry.

These qualifications are recognised globally and respected at the highest levels of business and education, giving you lasting credibility,  no matter where your career takes you.

No, academic qualifications are not required as a prerequisite. However, if you already hold a Professional Accreditation in Automotive Management, AIBA or AIBA (Hons), you’re automatically eligible for this prestigious qualification. The PFA (Hons) is a professional qualification that values real-world experience. If you’re currently in a management role, or you have significant industry experience, you may qualify through professional recognition and a short interview with us.

 However, if you do have previous academic qualifications, that’s a bonus, but they may not be directly relevant. Traditional university degrees are often broad and generic in their curriculum content, and they do not cover the specific operational requirements of the modern-day automotive industry.

The PFA (Hons) bridges that gap, delivering the knowledge, insight, and practical skills required to succeed in automotive management.

Yes, you can. The Leadership Foundation Launchpad is first and foremost a powerful leadership programme designed to give you the practical knowledge, tools, and strategies required to become a high-performing Manager in the automotive industry.

If your focus is purely on skills, performance, and results, you can complete the programme without submitting academic assignments or applying for the formal Professional Foundation qualification. 

However, if you want to receive the Level 5 Professional Foundation with Honours in Automotive Management, you’ll need to complete the work-based assignments and assessments as part of your qualification pathway.

Either way, you’ll be learning directly from the same high-performance content, the only difference is whether you want the official qualification alongside your skills development.

If you are successful in attaining the qualification, then yes you will have letters after your name. You are awarded the designation of Professional Foundation with Honours in Automotive Management and you can use the post-nominal letters PFA (Hons) after your name.

You also receive the PFA (Hons) graduate asset pack which includes dual certification from The International Business Academy and The Chartered Management Institute, in addition to the coveted PFA (Hons) gold lapel pin to mark your achievement. 

We expect most students to complete the PFA (Hons) within 2 years, or sooner this depends upon your personal pace, work commitments, and assignment progress. However, as with all formal academic qualifications, you are officially granted up to 3 years to complete the programme if needed.

In reality, the bulk of the learning takes place within the first 9 months through structured milestones with Masterclasses, video training and virtual modules. After that, you’ll submit a series of written assignments, but unlike traditional exams, these are real-world, work-based projects. That means you’re not adding extra work to your role, you’re simply capturing and presenting the evidence of what already achieved within your business.

Because of this practical format, most delegates comfortably complete the programme within 18 months to 2 years, with the flexibility to accelerate or extend if needed.

The PFA (Hons) offers the ultimate blended learning experience, combining face-to-face masterclasses, online support, practical application, and academic recognition;  all designed specifically for the automotive industry.

Here’s how the journey unfolds:

• Cohort-Based Learning:
  You’ll be placed in a cohort with like-minded professionals in your chosen country/region (UK, UAE, KSA, etc.), where you’ll be part of a powerful peer group for shared learning and support.

• Induction & First Masterclass (3 Days):
  Your journey begins with a 3-day, in-person masterclass, where you’ll be formally registered with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and taken through a full induction. You’ll also complete your first module on Principles in Leadership Practice and begin your first assignment.

• Operational Performance Masterclass (3 Days):
  Around three months after your first event, you’ll attend a 3-day masterclass led by our Faculty, focused on the operational performance of Sales, Service, Parts, and Bodyshop, covering finance, KPI and improving operational performance. You’ll then complete an assignment based on your business’s strengths and weaknesses, choosing a performance improvement project in your workplace to anchor your qualification.

• Managing Change & Communication Masterclass (3 Days):
  Then after nine months of beginning your journey, you’ll attend a third masterclass focused on Managing Change, team dynamics, and presentation skills, helping you enhance your presence and leadership impact. You’ll then complete your third assignment.

• Ongoing Online Support:
  Every six weeks, we host an online event with your cohort to track progress, answer questions, and solve common challenges. These events also include guest speakers from the automotive industry, sharing best practices and real-world insights.

• Extra Resources & Support:
  You’ll have access to the CMI’s research library of over 90,000 expert resources, and you’ll have access to The Centre of Excellence Online, our learning management system

  • Step-by-step milestones to guide your progress
  • On-demand video training so you can learn at your own pace
  • Quick Quizzes to check your understanding
  • Downloadable templates to make your assignments easier to complete

   

• Personal Mentorship
  Yes, you’ll be assigned your own personal mentor for one-to-one support when you need it.

This blended, practical, and highly personalised journey is designed to give you real results in your business, while also earning a globally respected qualification.

Yes, absolutely. The PFA (Hons) has been purpose-built for full-time professionals in the automotive industry. It combines face-to-face Masterclasses with our industry-leading Professors, interactive virtual sessions via Zoom, on-demand video training you can access at your own pace, and practical, work-based projects, all delivered through our powerful Learning Management System.

What makes this qualification truly unique is that your business becomes your case study. You’re not trying to balance work and study as separate priorities; they’re fully  integrated. Every module, assignment, and project is designed to deliver real-world performance gains in your own business.

Unlike traditional university programmes, which use case studies from unrelated industries and academic theory, this qualification starts with your real-world challenges and builds the learning around them. It’s practical, purposeful, and directly aligned with your business goals.

And yes, you will have time to study alongside your career because you’re working on the very same business objectives. The only additional commitment is a series of assignments, which we’ll guide you through step by step. They’re focused, manageable, and designed to fit around your professional life.

You will be working on your assignments by yourself, but you will not be on this journey alone. You’ll be placed into a cohort of like-minded professionals, matched by your experience and geographic location, so you can share insights, exchange best practices, and support each other throughout the programme.

In addition, you’ll be assigned a personal mentor who will be available via Zoom or Teams to guide you through your studies, assignments, and work-based projects. Whether you need academic support, project advice, or just a bit of reassurance, help is always just a call away.

You’ll never be left wondering what to do next; we’ve got you covered every step of the way.

There are no traditional exams. Instead, the PFA (Hons) is assessed through practical assignments, professional reflections, and real-world business projects, all based on your current role and responsibilities within your business.

You’ll be required to complete a series of written assignments, and we make the process easy and supportive. You’ll be taught exactly how to approach each one, with step-by-step guidance, video tutorials, and assignment templates to help you succeed. All assignments are submitted via The Centre of Excellence Online, known as “The CEO of Automotive Management”, and are formally assessed by qualified professionals.

You’ll receive personalised feedback and a clear grade for every submission, so you always know how you’re progressing. Along the way, short quizzes are included to check your understanding and ensure you can apply the knowledge confidently in your workplace.

All your progress is tracked in your Online Grade Book, and The CEO platform guides you through every step of the journey; from enrolment to graduation.

Yes, and many employers do that through a company Scholarship programme, or they choose to provide financial assistance to help their people through their studies because they know it’s going to pay dividends in performance gain in the business. The PFA (Hons) is not just a qualification, we’ve built it to deliver maximum ROI for your business because all the assignments are work-based projects that deliver measurable performance gain in the workplace.

We can issue an invoice directly to your company for full payment, and you can have a payment arrangement with them, or we can set up a split payment arrangement between you and your employer; whichever works best for you. We’re flexible and will tailor the process to suit your needs.

Yes. Several vehicle manufacturers, DMS providers, systems companies, and paint brands have created Scholarship Programmes to support their customers and their prospective customers.

Some of these scholarships are designed for individual applicants, while others are looking to support entire companies or dealer groups, providing opportunities for multiple team members to benefit.

If you’re interested in applying for a Scholarship, please contact us and we’ll connect you with the relevant organisation to check your eligibility and guide you through the next steps.

The right education yields the highest ROI on your investment for your career, your leadership, and your future. The PFA (Hons) is a transformational journey designed to equip you with the real-world knowledge and credibility required to become an outstanding Manager in the automotive industry.

You can choose to pay in full via bank transfer to receive the most favourable rate, or select a flexible instalment plan that allows you to invest gradually over time. Your employer may also choose to sponsor you, and we’re happy to support that option too.

To put things into perspective: a traditional university degree typically costs between £20,000 and £65,000, and most are general in programme content. The PFA (Hons) is laser-focused on what truly matters in automotive leadership.

Special Launch Offer:
The full 3-year programme, including all modules, mentoring, assessments, certification, and materials, is priced at just £15,000. But if you want to go ahead and reserve you place on a cohort right now, you save £2,500 and you get the full Professional Foundation with Honours in Automotive Management for only £12,500.

If you’re ready to move forward and enrol for the next cohort, taking advantage of this special launch offer by saving £2,500, we invite you to enter your name onto the official Automotive Qualifications Waiting List, and we will contact you when a cohort becomes available.

Enter Your Name Onto
The Official Automotive Qualifications Waiting List

If you have any questions that are not answered on this web page, please email Jeff Smith personally at jeff@jeff-smith.com with your question.