The National Automobile Dealers Association has launched a new educational and training program geared toward dealership leadership and management personnel.

Students in the NADA Academy Plus program will receive six weeks of instruction over a 12-month period, with each week focusing on a different aspect of a dealership’s business. Those include financial management, parts, service, pre-owned vehicle sales, new-vehicle sales and business leadership.

“NADA Academy Plus is a rapid, fast-track program designed to align industry best practices with a dealership's vision, goals and objectives,” Jim Schoonover, senior director of education and consulting for NADA Dealership Operations, said in a news release. “It's unique in that it encompasses all of NADA's educational and consulting offerings in one program.”

NADA Dealership Operations senior vice president Peter Fong said: “By sending a department manager or director to attend with a full-time student, the dealership is going to accelerate its results. Implementing new processes to improve profitability becomes easier when your key leaders are on the same page.”

The first class will begin in October; NADA is currently taking applications. More information can be found at www.nada.org/academyplus or by calling (800) 557-6232.