Innovation in Automotive Training

In a changing automotive industry, several free training programs related to new technologies are offered in four specialized colleges in Ontario. Check them out!

The type of work that automotive tradespeople do is being transformed. The development and expansion of electric vehicle sales have driven a need for new skills and expertise in automotive repair and maintenance. 

Automotive Industries Association (AIA) of Canada has joined forces with Conestoga College, Fanshawe College, St. Lawrence College and Plug N’ Drive to offer FREE training programs to develop new expertise and skills in the auto care industry:

  • The Career Exploration training program consists of a hands-on exploratory experience for automotive industry job seekers to learn to work on a variety of cars with special emphasis on EV and new technologies. Participants may be eligible for supports like work boots, basic tools, safety equipment, reference books, etc. as well as transportation assistance. This program consists of in-person theoretical and hands-on training led by College instructors for 2-3 days a week. 
  • The Electric Vehicle (EV) Up-skilling training program is an up-skilling course allowing current licensed automotive technicians and senior level apprentices to develop maintenance and repair skills relating to EVs. This program consists of in-person theoretical and hands-on training led by College instructors for 2-3 days a week. 
  • The Advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) training program is an up-skilling course allowing current licensed automotive technicians and senior level apprentices to master their understanding of ADAS as well as develop maintenance and repair skills relating to ADAS. This program consists of in-person theoretical and hands-on training led by College instructors for a total of 16 hours.

Who is eligible for the 3 training programs?

The three training programs are opened to people who are:

  • 18 years of age or older
  • Canadian citizens, Permanent residents or awaiting Permanent resident status
  • And residents of Ontario

For the Career Exploration training program especially, unemployed or underemployed persons interested in a career in automotive trades can register. For the other two programs, people must be currently employed in Ontario as a licensed automotive technician or senior level apprentice.

Those interested can complete a small form to submit their interest for the free training programs and to receive more information.

Grand Forum du Québec : some solutions to the challenges of the automotive industry

This year, the AIA Canada event focused on international hiring, employee retention and attractiveness in the automotive maintenance and repair sector.

The Grand Forum du Québec, organized by AIA Canada, made its way to Trois-Rivières for a packed day of learning, collaborating, and strategizing for overcoming current challenges faced in Quebec’s auto care sector. 

The day started with opening presentations and a panel discussion, moderated by Réjean Lortie, who has worked in the industry for over 40 years and has worked alongside sales teams, customer service, and management to help maximize profitability and long-term business success.

After a networking and lunch break, the day fully kicked off with 45-minute workshops, all of which covered critical industry topics, from best hiring practices, how to navigate the skills shortage in the auto care sector, to ensuring long-term business success.

Continue reading “Grand Forum du Québec : some solutions to the challenges of the automotive industry”

Auto-jobs.ca and AIA Canada Team Up to Optimize Automotive Recruitment

Auto-jobs.ca and AIA Canada Team Up to Optimize Automotive Recruitment
Canadian auto-industry professionals now have privileged access to Auto-jobs.ca services thanks to an exclusive agreement.

Great news! On December 20, 2023, Canadian auto-industry leaders, Auto-jobs.ca and AIA Canada, joined forces to optimize countrywide talent recruitment services.

Auto-jobs.ca, leading automotive job recruitment website in Québec for the past 20 years and newly linked for the past year to Velan Media Group’s Autosphere magazine, has partnered with the Automotive Industries Association of Canada (AIA Canada). In so doing, it intends to deploy and extend the signature services it has built its success on countrywide.

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“Our mutual insights into the industry, as well as Auto-jobs.ca’s scalability lead us to join forces to expand their offering across Canada,” confirmed Jean-François Champagne, CAE, President and CEO of AIA Canada.

The agreement also constitutes a concrete gesture on behalf of the association to promote the recruitment and retention of qualified personnel. AIA Canada members will be entitled to exclusive rates on all Auto-jobs.ca services, allowing them to effectively address labour challenges.

Stéphanie Massé et Jean-François ChampagneStéphanie Massé, National Sales Director for Auto-jobs.ca,
with Jean-François Champagne, CAE, President and CEO of AIA Canada
at the signing of the agreement.

Stéphanie Massé, National Sales Director for Auto-jobs.ca, states, “This partnership will be beneficial for AIA Canada members. In addition to discounts on job postings, this agreement will give them privileged access to a wide range of assisted recruitment, background checks, ad placement and even web marketing services. Auto-jobs.ca is a 360-degree platform and is proud to support the development and succession of the Canadian auto industry.”

Optimized automotive recruitment
Auto-jobs.ca already has a large bank of registered automotive sector candidates, including workers and new graduates, who use their platform to browse job offers, share their CV and apply for career opportunities.

Auto-jobs.ca affiliate companies have access to all of these candidates. But they can also further attract candidate attention by also using visibility tools and content strategies.

AIA Canada members will not only benefit from lower prices for services, but also extended platform visibility thanks to a dedicated a company page.

Canada-wide deployment of Auto-jobs.ca services will take place over the coming months. AIA Canada encourages current members to take full advantage of this new exclusive agreement by getting in touch with their parts stores and workshops now.

“This approach is consistent with our desire to promote industry talent,” concluded AIA Canada President. “Member businesses will have access to a window that allows them to showcase their work environment in detail, thereby making it easier to attract the right candidates.”

Auto-jobs.ca and AIA Canada Team Up to Optimize Automotive Recruitment

Tire season approaches and your hiring process worries you?

Recruiting Service Attendants is a challePneusnge for employers in the Automotive Industry and this challenge comes back twice a year.  While these periods are lucrative, they are nonetheless a source of great stress for employers who are keen to provide maximum performance to the workshop and provide excellent service to their customers.

Here are some tips to successfully go through this period:

 – Begin your recruitment process 30 days before the peak period.
– Hire at least two weeks before the rush. The quality of the integration of your new employees is important to maximize your chances of keeping them employed for the duration of the contract. Continue reading “Tire season approaches and your hiring process worries you?”

Report Workplace Injuries Immediately!

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No matter what their degree or level of involvement, in general, when workplace injuries or illnesses occur, most people would prefer doing any meaningful task other than filling out the inevitable reams of paperwork. However…

It is extremely important that you complete and submit the required documents and registers as soon as possible. They will immediately be transformed into valuable reference tools for both workers and employers, which can then be used when

All relevant information regarding the incident should be collected on the spot: name of injured or ill individual, date and time of event, location and elements involved in incident, description of injury or illness, employee and witness versions, nature of first-aid dispensed. A comprehensive, thorough investigation and analysis of the incident is extremely vital to the successful conclusion of every file. Continue reading “Report Workplace Injuries Immediately!”