Student Aftermarket Day 2025, held on November 19, was a resounding success. Here is the lineup AIA Canada prepared for students in the automotive sector.
Future talent in the automotive industry gathered this year at the Automotive Business School of Canada at Georgian College in Barrie, Ontario, to discover a maintenance and repair sector that employs nearly 500,000 Canadians and offers a wealth of career opportunities.
This event was organized by the Automotive Industries Association of Canada (AIA Canada), in collaboration with their Young Professionals in the Automotive Aftermarket Committee (JPSERA). It also welcomed several high-level partners such as Auto-jobs.ca, who showcased the many possible career paths in this sector.
Event overview
Jean-François Champagne, President and CEO of AIA Canada, opened the event with an engaging session focused on navigating Canada’s constantly evolving automotive maintenance sector.
Shortly after, students attended live presentations and explored the career leaderboard. They had the chance to share their ideas, connect with industry partners, and get a better sense of the realities of the job.
After lunch, three graduates of the Automotive Business School of Canada (ABSC) took part in a panel discussion to share their professional journey after earning their degree. Moderated by Kari Hann from Specialty Sales & Marketing, the session gave students valuable insight into the wide range of career possibilities in the industry.
Students were then introduced to the wide range of specialized, sometimes lesser-known, careers available in the aftermarket and to the paths that lead to them. From digital innovation to leadership development and customer engagement, students discovered the many ways professionals contribute to the industry and build rewarding careers.
Shortly after, the winners of the best presentation award were announced. Michael Artuso, Wyatt Brown, and Colin Downey focused their presentation on how the industry can use technology to adapt to Generation Z’s behaviour and attitudes toward vehicle maintenance and repair.
Finally, Student Aftermarket Day 2025 wrapped up with a networking session and prize draws. It is safe to say the event was a complete success.