BASIC ESTIMATING COURSES OFFERED

12 th year of offering popular training
Commencing April 22nd

The popular basic estimating collision repair training course is back to help shop or office employees, new estimators and insurance company staff who may need assistance in estimating collision damage on cars and light trucks in Ontario.

Taught by experienced apprenticeship instructor, Jim Miles, this six-night course includes, introduction to estimating, understanding vehicle construction, fundamentals of estimate writing, understanding collision manuals, additional charges and collision damage analysis.

The first evening course commences April 22nd, two classes per week over a three-week period.

Time & Locations:
Motive Power Training Centre
606 Rennie Street
Hamilton, ON
6:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Monday and Wednesday evenings, commencing Monday,
April 28th, 2008.

Eugene Collision Ltd. - Conference/Boardroom
8 Eugene Street
Toronto, ON
6:30 pm to 9:30pm
Tuesday, and Thursday evenings, commencing Tuesday,
April 22nd , 2008.

Cost:
Association Members - $350.00 plus GST, per person
Non-Members - $450.00 plus GST, per person

Students can register by contacting the Association and www.ciia.com office at 1-866-309-4272 or e-mailing info@ciia.com .

Prepayment is Mandatory

(See Headlines)

Finding Employees
The Kids Want In, But Why Aren't They Staying?

By J.D. Ney, Assistant Editor

Across the independent service business, we all know what the major problem is with the continued success of the industry, don't we? Asking shops across the country, and even many of the associations that support them, the resounding answer would seem to be, "We can't get kids these days interested in the automotive service business; we need to bring more young people into the industry." That has certainly been the refrain for years now.

Unfortunately, the industry may have fallen into a trap the popular American satirist Stephen Colbert has dubbed 'truthiness,' roughly defined as what someone "just knows to be true, from the gut, without any appeal to logic or the facts." Truthiness has found its way into the automotive service business. As studies have shown, and as industry observers now attest, the real problem facing the continued success of the industry is employee retention, and not employee attraction. What's more, according to many, it's a task that many shop owners are just not taking seriously enough, choosing instead to keep towing the party line, regardless of how outdated it may be.

Eating the Young

A very informal poll conducted recently revealed some interesting answers when it came to a discussion about how apprentices were and should be treated. It would seem as though while most in the industry feel new employees in the trade should probably be treated better, many also note that they were treated very poorly.

As Murray Voth, an implementation coach with TACT Inc. notes, "Apprentices were hazed, and still are in some areas. We used to send them to get us a sky hook, or a can of compression. We made them do all the grunt work and dirty jobs, because we also had done our time and put up with the same treatment before."

This is a reasonably telling comment that speaks to what is fast becoming a vicious cycle. Much like the bizarre and often obscene initiation ceremonies held on University campuses across the country, it would appear some owners and technicians view a difficult and trying apprenticeship experience as something of a right of passage. While some kids survive and stick with the trade, many others are simply not putting up with it. For an industry with a so-called labour shortage, this sort of tradition should be seen as counter productive.

To take only one of many examples, a recent letter to Jobber News stated: "I am one of those who did not stick with it because of the negative working environments that existed even back then. I found even the high school environment negative. I hoped that when I finished high school and got a job in a shop, it would be different. It was different -- it was even worse," the letter states. "It is long past time that those in positions of authority in every shop and high school across Canada realize how they drive away young people who are like I was -- interested, and even passionate about the trade. If I had had support instead of negativity back then, I would still be in the field today at the age of 57," the author concludes. While this is admittedly only one person's experience, I think we can all agree that it's probably not a unique story. The question then becomes, if contrary to the popular industry mantra the kids are in fact interested, and want jobs in this trade, why aren't they staying, and what can be done about it?

Time to Change the Message

Despite the popular wisdom being repeated throughout the industry, there are certainly those that are starting to see things differently. John Norris, executive director of HARA, (Hamilton District Autobody Repair Association in Hamilton, Ont.) and the organizer of Career Day at this year's Automechanika Canada, for one say that getting kids interested is no longer the issue. "The industry is, for the most part doing a good job of attracting people to the trade. In fact, our numbers have shown some 2,600 new apprentices since 2000," he says. "Our challenge now has become how do we keep them?"

The current myth surrounding employee and apprenticeship retention usually revolves around the all-mighty dollar, but some surprising research is now even calling that assumption into serious question. A study sponsored though Human Resources and Development Canada titled Apprentice Retention in the Skilled Trades suggests financial compensation is not the top reason new employees are leaving the business, in fact, it's not even in the top seven. However, continuing with our truthiness theme, cash is by far the most often cited reason owners seem picking when it comes to retention struggles. What is listed as being more important than pay are all of the softer, more difficult to quantify workplace items like appreciation, pride and responsibility. Certainly none of those things can be fostered by showing an eager young apprentice the corner and keeping him or her there for years to "pay their dues."

How to Make the Change

The need for a shifted focus is quite plain. While industry participants clamber for programs to interest more people in the trades, interested kids are simply being pushed out. "It's not that we don't have people coming into the trade, we just don't have any employer engagement yet," says Norris. "We haven't been able to work with employers enough to make an employee retention program easy for them, and a worthwhile process."

As with many things in this business the answer is training. From individual technicians to shop owners, employee retention training should become a more regular part of the business management focus. This goal is undoubtedly ambitious given that any change in direction would likely have to be filtered down through at least a few association or banner program steps, but the fundamental problem is clear.

"The biggest reason [for apprenticeship retention problems] in my view is that people at the ownership level of many of shops used to be technicians, and have never been trained on how to be an employer, and certainly never learned about how to keep an employee," says Norris.

The good news, at least for the moment is that there are some programs out there, for those who are curious enough and are serious about tackling the issue.

"There are lots of government grants and incentive programs out there," says Norris. "But many shop owners don't even know they exist, and others have put up barriers in their mind when it comes to apprentices. That has restricted their ability to access these programs. There is plenty of information, just not a lot getting through."

Norris says what the industry needs is something of an overhaul in terms of its key messages about young employees and apprentices. Whereas for years it has been about getting people in, it now has to shift to moving people up. "The bottom line is that the message has to change," he says. "It has to move up the ladder from how we get people interested, to how do we get people hired. So, to do that, we have to figure out how to start removing the barriers that are stopping the employers."

As with many significant changes to opinions and beliefs, the major push will likely have to come from shop owners themselves. If it is in fact employee retention training that is required, it's time to start demanding it from your associations and your banner programs.

The conclusion here is that the industry as a whole seems to have fallen into a pattern of too easily believing its own rhetoric. Without a clear picture of the actual state of things, owners and their associations have fallen back on what they have always instinctively thought to be true regardless of hard proof. What studies are showing now, however, is that a significant change desperately needs to happen at all levels of the service business if keen and enthusiastic apprentices are to be kept in the bays. Can and should the industry continue to try and convince more kids to give the automotive service business a chance? Of course. But it also needs to start taking better care of the ones it already has.

10 Key Retention Factors

Appreciation

Liking Co-workers

Loyalty

Communication

Pride

Responsibility

Safety

Financial Support

Access to Training

Work/Life Balance

Courteousy Of J. D. Ney and SSGM Magazine
www.ssgm.com

(see headlines)

COLLISION REPAIR SHOPS WARNED ABOUT "FEES FOR CREDITS"
Private companies will obtain shop credits for $500 or more

November 2, 2007

A number of collision repair facility owners are advising that they are being approached by a private firm with offers of obtaining for them the Apprenticeship Training Tax Credit (ATTC). For corporations and unincorporated businesses that have total salaries and wages for the previous taxation year of $400,000 or less, the tax credit is 30% of eligible expenditures paid or payable after May 18, 2004 up to a maximum tax credit of $5000 per qualifying apprentice per taxation year.

Although the forms are not difficult to fill out and are available through your local collision repair trade association or at : http://www.rev.gov.on.ca/english/bulletins/ct/3020.html , private firms are demanding $500 or 25% of the tax credit owing to shops to do the work.

Collision Industry Information and Assistance.com, a collision repair industry association group urges shops to handle the paperwork themselves.

These tax credits, for employers who employee apprentices in the collision repair, auto body or automotive painter trades are designed to encourage employers to hire and retain more apprentices

Information on a further credit, the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant to qualified employers is also available at: http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca /goc/apprenticeship.shtml or call
1 866 742 3644.

Further information on both incentives and grants is available at:http://www.ciia.com/provinces/ontario/training.html

(SEE HEADLINES)

A High School Co-Op Student Is Like Road Testing
A Prospective Apprentice
By Richard Bellafante

Most shop owners and managers will say their greatest monthly expense is personnel. This is also their greatest asset, given that without mechanics there's no income.

So why do so many shops have difficulties taking on free labour like co-op students? Some of the reasons shop owners give are co-op students need to be watched over; they have limited skills; they do the silliest things at times; and some are pretty mouthy.

However, do we need to say that many full-time mechanics do the silliest things at times as well? Some are inpatient with each other; come off as knowing everything; and don't always follow the Mitchell manual to the letter.

I know I'm going to get flak for what I've just said. But if we could get past how we 'grew up' in the trade, we might find a diamond in the rough in many of today's co-op students. Most high schools have co-op programs, and the students are monitored by their teachers. Not only does having a co-op student offer you the chance to teach the benefits and rewards of the automotive service trade, but it also offers your shop an opportunity to gain some free advertising within a local school, with about seventy-five teachers, as well as the friends and families of the co-op students.

What You Need To Know About Co-Op Students

For those of you who haven't had a co-op student, here is how the co-op program works and how you can take advantage of benefits these co-op programs offer:

First, you are approached by a local high school teacher, asking if you are interested in taking on a student to help around the shop. There is no charge to the shop, and the school board covers the insurance. The prospective student(s) comes for an interview, at which time you would ask questions: "Have you rotated tires at the school? Have you done oil changes under your teacher's supervision; inspected disc and drum brakes and reported your opinion to your teacher?"

Remember, these students are not mechanics as of yet. But they are enthusiastic students, still learning and trying to decide their future and being a mechanic is one option they are seriously looking into and thinking about. So when that student is sitting in front of you, probably a little nervous, take the time to ask questions that can be confirmed by their Auto Shop teacher, the person they have been training under. You can call after the interview and confirm what was said, much in the same way you follow up with the reference information a prospective employee supplies on their resume. Once you've decided to take on a student, their co-op teacher has some paper work to fill out: insurance information, the supervisor's name, and such. This won't take more than 20 min. but it has to be done prior to the student coming.

When the student shows up for the first day of work at your shop, you'll have to get them up to speed with duties and expectations, like you would with any new employee keeping in mind they probably have never been in a full working shop before. Assume nothing and water down all your instruction until you feel comfortable with them doing what you say. After a few weeks (maybe sooner depending on the arrangements you've made with the teacher), you'll have to fill out progress reports. This might be verbal, or a check list for you to fill out. Either way, this report will be part of the student's final mark so be realistic about what was asked and what was done. Depending on the school, the student will be with you for half a day, (two credits), all day, (four credits), and some may have Fridays off, (three credits). There are other setups, so ask the teacher about the times.

Remember, these are students you are working with, so March break and other holidays still apply to them and they may not think to tell you, assuming you're the adult and you just knew. Don't get frustrated, they are just kids.

There are other ways of getting co-op students. You can contact the school board and ask for the co-op coordinator and have them contact you with a list of schools in your area. At this point, you could contact your local school and ask for the co-op department and speak with a teacher about your needs and available positions. And remember, kids aren't only interested in the shop floor. There is the front desk, and the parts department. Be creative, as there's a kid for every spot.

All it takes is a few phone calls and you may have your next long term employee, or just some help for around the shop, either way, it's a plus for everybody!

Richard Bellafante teaches automotive technology at Etobicoke Ontario's Don Bosco Catholic Secondary School.(used with permission from SSGM magazine)
(SEE HEADLINES)

Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium Scholarships Awarded to 12 Exceptional Canadian Students

June 6, 2007, Ottawa , Ontario -- The Automotive Industries Association of Canada (AIA) is pleased to announce that 12 Canadian students are receiving 2007 Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) scholarships. Recipients were selected at the GAAS event, which took place on May 8 th -9 th at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare near Chicago .

Each student is receiving $1000 to support them in their post-secondary education. Over half of the scholarship recipients are studying in fields related to the automotive sector. Of those, students are pursuing careers in vehicle services, mechanical engineering, automotive marketing and business management.

Katrina Bailey is a student in the Automotive Marketing & Business Studies program at New Brunswick Community College and a GAAS Scholarship recipient. She has a profound interest in cars and aftermarket parts, and plans to open her own facility upon completion of her studies. Shawn Stephens, another successful candidate, worked in an aftermarket facility for three years before enrolling in the Automotive Business Program at Georgian College . He sees "the need to create a stronger partnership between independent garages and their parts suppliers as well as opportunities to increase efficiencies within the aftermarket through emerging technology" and plans to work towards these objectives.

"We are extremely impressed by the enthusiasm, ambition and drive of these young people" says AIA President Ray Datt. "Each recipient has shown dedication to his or her future. They are an inspiration to their peers, and demonstrate the immense potential that young people hold for the aftermarket industry. We are pleased to be working with the GAAS Selection Committee to bring the benefits of this grant to so many exceptional Canadian students."

A total of 154 GAAS scholarships were awarded this year, with 12 going to Canadian students. Canadian GAAS scholarship applicants must be enrolled full-time in a college-level program or an accredited automotive technical program. Priority is given to those pursuing a career in the automotive aftermarket.

The annual investment to help develop future aftermarket industry leaders is primarily funded through proceeds from the annual Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium. GAAS is a two-day program which brings together numerous industry executives and examines the issues and trends affecting the automotive aftermarket industry and influencing its future.

Scholarship applications are available from the AIA Canada website. June 15 th , 2008 is the deadline for applications for the 2008-2009 academic year. Additional information on the symposium is available on the Symposium website www.globalsymposium.org .

About AIA Canada
The Automotive Industries Association of Canada (AIA) is a national trade association representing the automotive aftermarket industry in Canada . The aftermarket is a $16.1 billion industry that directly employs more than 220,000 people. The industry is composed of companies that manufacture, distribute and install automotive replacement parts, accessories, tools, and equipment. AIA represents manufacturers, re-builders, manufacturers agents, warehouse distributors, national distributors, buying groups, wholesalers, machine shops, retailers, and through its councils, the interests of collision repair shops and automotive service and repair outlets. AIA's mandate is to promote, educate and represent members in all areas that impact the growth and prosperity of the industry. Visit us on the web at www.aiacanada.com.

For further information contact:
Rachel LePage
Public Affairs Coordinator
AIA Canada
Tel: 1-800-808-2920 ext 231  
Fax: (613) 728-6021  
Email: Rachel.LePage@aiacanada.com

List of recipients:

Effective May 4, 2007 , the Ontario Ministry of the Environment has made changes to the Recertification Requirement in Ontario's Refrigerants Regulation, O. Reg. 189/94 . Yes, the training overkill has finally come to an end. recertification courses are no longer required for technicians wishing to renew their Ozone Depletion Prevention (ODP) Cards.

Note: The revised Regulation stipulates that technicians "who have never been certified", and those "whose cards have already expired", (see date on card,) are still required to complete the ODP Card course and examination. Technicians obtaining the required passing grade of 75% will thereafter receive a new card that's valid for 5 years from the examination date - following this time they will be required to renew their cards again.

Technicians with cards that bear an expiry date beyond May 4, 2007 will not be required to undergo the training and re-examination procedure to maintain their ODP certification. Prior to the expiration date on their cards they will, however, be required to contact HRAI to obtain a renewal application. This must be filled out and returned to HRAI with the renewal fee of $50.00 + GST . That's all that need be done, but technicians must ensure they apply in a timely manner. We recommend 45 days be allowed for the renewal process.

"Click Here" to view Official Notice of Regulation Change from MOE.

"Click Here" for Renewal Letter and Form to download and print.

If you have any questions regarding the changes to the Refrigerants Regulation, please contact Frances Ricci at the AARO offices:
1-800-268-5400 .

(SEE HEADLINES)

The Canadian Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) Council will receive $950,561 through the federal government’s Sector Council program to design, implement and test an online learning system that will allow automotive repair workers, across Canada, to upgrade their skills in their own time and at their own pace.

"By investing in this project, we are helping more than 200,000 automotive repair workers access affordable on-line courses that will strengthen their skills and understanding of new automotive technologies, " said Parliamentary Secretary Lynne Yelich.

Developed in partnership with HRSDC, the E-learning system will be self-paced, easily affordable and available 24/7, which will make learning more accessible and affordable for small, rural repair and service shops.

The online system is expected to provide up to 576 high demand courses to workers across Canada. The system will include mastery checkpoints for each course, and refer users to additional resources to supplement the course and improve their understanding.

"The greatest challenge facing our industry is keeping pace with the increasingly complex and rapidly changing automotive technology," said Dan Bell, the president of CARS. "That is why CARS is very pleased to develop and promote e-learning for the Canadian automotive repair and service industry. The funding announced today will provide automotive repair and service businesses a more efficient means of building the skills of their employees, making them more productive and the businesses more profitable."

(SEE HEADLINES)

MOHAWK COLLEGE GETS $5 MILLION TO HELP NEW TRADES TRAINING CENTRE

Autobody wins with additional training spaces

February 2, 2007

The province of Ontario has given Mohawk College's new Stoney Creek trades training building project a $5 million present. The money will go towards a $19.5 million dollar project at the campus in its first phase and planned for a September 2007 opening.

Mohawk's Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Research, Resources and Training Institute (STARRT) will, with the extra funding, allow Mohawk College to double their skilled trades enrollment to 1,020 students a year and increase the number of apprentices in all trades by 35 percent to 3,571 students a year.

The $6.6. million dollar autobody and motive power wing is expected to graduate a further 20 autobody and collision repair apprentices once the additional building is completed.

The STARRT project has already received donations for the City of Hamilton of $1.5 million and Dofasco of $1 million. One of the updated areas will be the new Gerald Marshall Truck and Coach Centre. Donated by Gerald Marshall of Marshall Trucking, this 1.2 million donation will expand the tuck and coach program at the campus.

The College will also be receiving over 700,000 dollars in facilites renewal funding to upgrade essential infrastructure throughout the operation.

(SEE HEADLINES)

COLLISION REPAIR APPRENTICES MAY QUALIFY FOR $1000 INCENTIVE GRANT

Just contact the ciia.com office for the application forms

February 3, 2007

The Human Resources and Social Development Minister, who is responsible for the Services Canada agency has announced an incentive grant that extends to autobody and collision repair technician apprentices..

If an autobody or collision repair apprentice who is in a Red Seal program as of Janaury 1, 2007 and has completed their first or second year in the trade, they are eligible to submit an application for the $1000 grant.

It is estimated that annually, some 100,000 apprentices in all trades in Canada will be eligible to receive this taxable cash grant to cover the costs of tuition, travel and tools.

Also available to assist apprentices is:

Effective May 2006, the government introduced a Tradesperson's Tools Deduction to help eligible trades people save on work related tools. An Apprentice Tool Deduction is already in place and apprentices automatically qualify.

An Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit that provides employers with up to $2000 per apprentice for each of the first two years of their contract.

Also available is a $5000 per year per apprentice employer tax credit.

For more information and the forms required to obtain these grants and credits, members are urged to call their local collision repair trade association at 1 866 309 4272 or info@ciia.com

FURTHER INFORMATION AND FORMS ON THE APPRENTICESHIP INCENTIVE GRANT, VISIT http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca /goc/apprenticeship.shtml   or call 1 866 742 3644

(SEE HEADLINES)

TECHNICIAN LICENSING EQUIVALENCY OPTIONS AVAILABLE FROM YOUR LOCATION COLLISION REPAIR ASSOCIATION

A number of workers in the autobody and collision damage repair trade have been employed in the trade in excess of the 7000 hours required for a licensed technician. However, they are not registered technicians.

Traditionally the only way to become a licensed technician would be to complete an in-class learning portion of 720 hours for training as a registered apprentice and an approximate time of three years working with a qualified technician, before challenging the qualification exam. An alternative equivalency process is also available. Your local Association has introduced a complementary package.

Included in the package:

•  Process for trades equivalency including application page

•  Curriculum of competencies required

•  Pre-license training class information

•  Fee information for license exam

If you require further information please do not hesitate to contact your local Collision Repair Association at
1-866-309-4272 or e-mail info@ciia.com

(see headlines)

Record Numbers Participating In Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program

HAMILTON, ON, Dec. 11 /CNW/ - The government is helping record numbers of high school students start their formal skilled trades training while still in high school, Chris Bentley, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, announced today.

"The McGuinty government is on the side of Ontario families who want their sons and daughters to find opportunity," said Bentley during a visit to Waterdown District High School. "That's why we're helping high school students who want a career in the skilled trades get started on their apprenticeships."

Offered through Ontario's secondary school system, the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program provides cooperative education and workplace-based experiences in the skilled trades to high school students.

A record 24,000 students are expected to take part in the program in 2006-07. This is almost double the 12,700 participants in 2002-03. More than 19,000 employers participated last year.

The announcement was made at Waterdown District High School in the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board where funding of $148,751 will support approximately 950 students and 550 employers in 2006-07.

"It's clear from research that a one-size-fits-all approach to education results in some students being left behind," said Ted McMeekin, MPP for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough -Aldershot. "OYAP is providing an excellent link in helping students consider and make successful career choices. Thanks to our community partners, our young people have more opportunities and choice and
that has to be good for all of us."

As more students go into this program, the government is getting closer to meeting its commitment to raise the number of annual apprenticeship registrations to 26,000 annually in 2007-08.

"Many of the co-op students that we have mentored have been a definite asset to my business, and I know its been a positive experience for them too. It gives them some direction, many stay in the trade, and a few have even gone on to start their own business," said Al Baker, owner of Al's Autoservice in Waterdown. "We need this program in place to get people into the trades because there is a personnel shortage already and we don't want it to get worse."

"Our government is committed to reaching every student with learning opportunities that match their interests and ambitions," said Education Minister Kathleen Wynne. "Workplace learning provides an excellent opportunity for many students to acquire the skills and knowledge they need to graduate high school and build a promising career."

The government is also working on other initiatives to provide
opportunities for Ontarians, including:

        -   Investing $6.2 billion more in postsecondary education and training by 2009-10 - the most significant multi-year investment in Ontario's higher education system in 40 years

    -   Investing $127 million this year in Employment Ontario's Job Connect services to link employers with both youth and adults, including three new centres with a special focus on helping newcomers.

"Investing in apprenticeship benefits everyone," said Bentley. "Through the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program, we're working to make sure Ontario's apprenticeship system provides Ontario with the skilled workforce needed to compete in today's economy."

For more information about the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program, contact Employment Ontario, online at www.ontario.ca/employmentontario , or by calling 1-800-387-5656.

(see headlines)

Lynne Yelich Announces Funding For Skilled Trades In Automotive Sector

SASKATOON-Lynne Yelich, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, today announced that Canada's new Government is providing funding for two projects that will support skilled trades in the automotive industry. Speaking at the Saskatchewan Association of Automotive Repairers Fall Conference, Mrs. Yelich recognized the government's collaborative work done with the automotive industry and the Canadian Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) Council.

"These two CARS projects can help to ensure the automotive sector has the highly skilled technicians it needs," said Mrs. Yelich. "Canada's new Government has been working to support the trades, including the introduction in our 2006 budget of a new job creation tax credit, an apprenticeship incentive grant, and a tools tax deduction."

Today's funding announcement is for the following two projects:

• The CARS Essential Skills Phase II project, which began August 1 of this year, will receive approximately $1.5 million over four years to develop and produce resources and tools to evaluate, improve or strengthen essential skills for five occupations in the automotive repair and service sector. The project will help participants learn or upgrade essential skills such as document use and numeracy, and be more conscious of the importance of continuous learning; and,

• The CARS Advanced Technology Training project, which also began August 1 of this year, will receive about $500,000 over three years to improve access to training within the workplace and within the education/training community to support the sector's skills upgrading needs related to hybrid vehicle technology.

Funded jointly through the Government of Canada's Sector Council Program, these projects will help all partners in the automotive repair and service sector-manufacturers, educators, employers, workers, automotive repair shops, automotive dealers and associations-to anticipate skill needs and stay ahead of the curve.

(see headlines)

COLLISION INDUSTRY CONTINUES TO HELP SKILLS CANADA STUDENT COLLISION COMPETITION

November 3, 2006

With the recent announcement of a grant of $5,000 in seed money from the Akzo Nobel Collision Industry Advancement Initiative (CIAI), Skills Competences Canada can now concentrate fully on their Auto
Collision Repair contest offered at the 2007 Canadian Skills Competition.

In May 2006, Skills Canada - Ontario held the 17th Ontario Technological Skills Competition in Waterloo ,Ontario . The gold winners for the Auto Collision Repair Contest were:

Secondary Level - Alex Heaman-Maracle from Robert Bateman HS

Post-Secondary Level - Dan Chudy from Centennial College .

Both medalists moved on to the Canadian Skills Competition in Halifax from June 23-26, 2006, where they both won Gold in Auto Collision Repair.  Alex will be representing Canada at the World Skills Competition in Japan in November 2007.

The collision repair industry has been very active in assisting in the delivery of training and training equipment for the students through:

1) The local collision repair association (HARA) arranged with Toyota Canada and engineer help to have a spray booth donated to Robert Bateman HS in Burlington and was used to train Gold winner Alex Herman-Maracle.

2) Efforts by the association and industry partners were highlighted in a major dinner award event in February 2006 at Centennial College in Scarborough, Ontario with the completion of an almost $1 million donation of equipment and spray booth- the training area for Gold Winner Dan Chudy.

3) The painting component of Skills Canada - Ontario's Auto Collision Repair Contest for 2006 was set for cancellation because no spray booth could be found.  Through the active work of their local trade association, the Wellington-Waterloo Collision Association, funds were raised to ensure that a booth at Sir John A. McDonald Secondary School in Waterloo would be ready in time to host this successful competition.

4) Industry support in southwestern Ontario, meant a donated spraybooth and equipment for Western Secondary School in Amherstburg through their local repair association, PACRA. The school hopes to compete next year.

Jill Fleming of Skills Canada - Ontario thanked the industry. "Ontario is thankful for the support shown by organizations such as www.ciia.com and HARA"

For more information please contact Skills Canada - Ontario at
519 749 9899 or the collision repair association at 1 866 309 4272 or info@ciia.com    For the Collision Industry Advancement Initiative, please contact Bill Orr at Bill.Orr@AkzoNobel.com

If your shop has equipment that can be donated to schools, or your school needs equipment please contact 1 866 309 4272 or visit: http://www.ciia.com/donations.html

(see headlines)

CarFixWORLD Career Day A Hit With Students

They were lined up when the show opened, and roared enthusiastically into CarFixWORLD's inaugural Career Day last Friday in Toronto. By 10:30, there were crowds of young people from across Ontario checking out the equipment displays, talking to potential employers on Interview Alley and lining up for autographs from TV celebrities.

The combination of automotive glamour and employment opportunity drew about 2600 students, who came from as far away as Kingston and Windsor. The bling side of the industry was supplied by customized show cars and celebrities like Pimp My Ride's Alex Pico and 'Q', and CASCAR driver DJ Kennington. The hundred industry companies on hand answered questions and demonstrated products to fill in the more serious aspect of the industry.

St. Edmund Campion Catholic Secondary School (Brampton, ON) was represented by 178 students, and will receive the Lexus vehicle offered by Toyota Canada to the school which brought the most students to the show.

Two students from Central Technical School (Toronto) won the Pit Stop Challenge, in which two-person teams had to remove and install two tires. The winning time was 1:52 min.

Three stages provided a stream of presentations to help students and apprentices understand the opportunities in the automotive repair and collision fields. "Too often, young Canadians who could find career satisfaction miss an opportunity to learn about the job they might love. We are connecting them with exhibitors to help build a strong and dedicated labor force for the automotive aftermarket and collision industries," explained Carol Bell, manager of the CarFixWORLD event.

(see headlines)

CarFixWORLD Career Day highlights Alex and “Q” from MTV’s PIMP MY RIDE!!
Win a free Lexus vehicle for your school courtesy of Toyota Canada!!

With almost three thousand student attendees already scheduled to come to Career Day Forum, three months before the event takes place, organizer John Norris of the National Automotive Trades Association (NATA), predicts that Career Day Forum at CarFixWORLD will be huge success. This free event takes place at the National Trades Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto on Friday September 29, 2006 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

With special promotions like seeing the free spray booth that will be given away, or knowing that one student will win two tickets with airfare to Winnipeg’s Grey Cup football classic, it is certain to interest students. The school that brings the most student attendees wins a free Lexus vehicle courtesy of Toyota Canada. Other prizes for schools include up to $5000 worth of auto parts and free estimating software.

The jam-packed day includes presentations from guest speakers on apprenticeship, Job connect, grants and employment incentive programs. The young apprentices that won the National Technological Skills competition at the Canada Skills Olympics this year will be updating the student audience on their experiences and urging young people to look at automotive service as a good career choice with a great future.

Over 60 automotive service suppliers and manufacturers are in attendee and apprenticeship services, college advisors and job placement staff are in attendance.

CARS Council speakers, Canada Skills Ontario and car manufacturers will have presentations on how to become an apprentice in any auto repair trade.

Online interviews and in-person discussion will be featured in Interview Alley, where young people can talk to interested employers in 6-minute interviews to move them into automotive apprenticeship careers.

You can join Centennial College and watch air bag detonations, meet race driver D. J. Kennington and the Castrol CASCAR race car and participate in the Pit Stop Challenge.

Solar cars, race vehicles and students working on project cars are featured. Participate in the live interview (or just get their autographs) from Alex and Quinton “Q”, from MTV’s hit show, PIMP MY RIDE, or test your skills in the car detailing competition.

A bus subsidy for schools is still hoped to be announced soon and a noon-hour teacher luncheon is being discussed.

For more information, to register your school for this exciting day or if you are interested in helping or interviewing, please call
1-866-309-4272 or info@ciia.com

The ART OF EARNING, a collision repair industry recruitment cd-rom was again the basis for presentations to high school students at a career fair.

Over 40 students attended the two workshopa on the value of a career in collision repair. Tony Mercanti, a collision shop owner at CARSTAR's Gage Avenue shop in Hamilton, highlighted the need for the industry in hiring intelligent and motivated graduates form science, technology and automotive programs and how apprentices can use programs at high schools to advance their career. The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) allows young people to "test-try" a career in auto body and receive credit towards their
apprenticeship agreement. It also allows graduates a fee -elimination for their first session of college apprenticeship training.

For more information on how to become a collision repair apprentice call 1-866-309-4272 or see: http://www.ciia.com/provinces/ontario/stepstoapp.html

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MORE INFORMATION

Interprovincial trade requirements - Autobody

The Collision Repair Trade- Things to Know

Jobs in Collision Repair

More information on autobody

Youth Apprenticeship Program

HRDC Information on the Trade

NEW FREE PRE-APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING OPPORTUNITY
(Adobe Acrobat format)

Employer incentives program listings

July 2001 Apprentice Retention Study

Ontario information on Auto Body Trade

Information on Careers for Young People

The Collision Repair Trade-Things to know

CARS Awareness Project Presentation

Scholarships

High Schools by Province

Perspectives on Provincial Apprenticeship

Becoming a Collision Damage Estimator

Steps to Apprenticeship in Collision Repair

AIA and Red SEAL activities

Canadian Automotive Partnership Council (CAPC)

Training Culture in the Canadian Aftermarket (pdf)

WORK SMART