TRAINING

OE REPAIR INFORMATION

Are we doing enough?

BY BEN HART

Here we are in 2020; an industry that has endured many challenges as we have progressed over the last decade. I’d like to think that we are all performing better and safer repairs today; though, I am constantly hearing similar rhetoric from numerous shops, vendors, insurance companies and training providers (myself included) about “OE procedures,” “following OE repair information” etc.

Every respectable shop in 2020 has access to repair information and has technicians on staff who have completed some level training, post Red-Seal certification. Some shops eclipse this with full I-CAR Gold status, and perhaps OE training, including direct access to OE repair sites. On the surface, this looks like we have come a long way, and I am very proud of our industry for these accolades.

When digging deeper, one should ask, ‘are these accomplishments merely rubber stamps or are they meaningful?’ It is wonderful to have all this training, information and equipment, but what really counts is whether we are utilizing them to their fullest potential, or not. OE repair programs often require stringent criteria and audits, but no one is checking every job and every individual task to ensure this. The onus is still on the shop and each staff member to ensure that the repairs have been completed with strict adherence to OE guidelines.

Unfortunately for a busy production environment, researching, comprehending, then executing all of the required procedures takes a lot of time which equates to added costs. The folks over at CollisionHub.com (in the U.S.) have some excellent training and research available on this topic.

As I tour shops, I have been impressed with the levels that some owners take to ensure the criteria is met. Some shops have dedicated staff to research procedures, others ensure all estimators and technicians have computers with easy access and quality control points to ensure all criteria is met.

This makes me wonder if the researcher role will become commonplace. Someone to research and interpret repair information for the technicians and estimators while also ensuring the correct parts, materials, fasters, tools, equipment and training can be met to complete the repair. I also understand that some shops aren’t there (yet?).

All I ask of industry is to take a moment of meta-cognitive reflection to see how has your knowledge, skills and attitude towards modern technology evolved over the last decade and how will it continue to progress? Then ask yourself, “am I doing enough?” All I ask of industry is to take a moment of meta-cognitive reflection to see how has your knowledge, skills and attitude towards modern technology evolved over the last decade and how will it continue to progress?

Then ask yourself, “am I doing enough?”

Ben Hart is a Red Seal certified autobody technician and refinisher with more than two decades of experience in the industry. For the past two years he has instructed apprenticeship programs at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. He can be reached at ben.hart@sait.ca.

CAREER READY

Employers with apprentices and co-op students can take advantage of the APMA’s Career Ready Fund

BY MADDY KYLIE

To help connect students with careers in the auto sector, the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association (APMA) is working with post-secondary institutions to help connect 669 students, apprentices and recent graduates with jobs and careers in the automotive supply sector.

By participating in the program, known as the Career Ready Fund, participants will gain practical on-the-job experience that will help launch their careers in the automotive sector. Employers will have the opportunity to provide productive dialog between academic institutions and industry. This program will give companies line of sight to new talent that will bring fresh ideas and perspective to the workplace.

Businesses will receive $3000 per placement, and $5000 per placement if the participant has a disability. A single placement lasts 10 weeks to four months, and participants may qualify for up to three placements in a calendar year.

To qualify for the Career Ready Fund: • Original Equipment Manufacturers and Manufacturers must have a minimum of 50% business revenue come from the automotive sector.

• Advanced Manufacturers must have a minimum of 30% business revenue come from the automotive sector. • Participants must be hired after April 1, 2020 and before January 21, 2021. • Placements must be full-time and located in Ontario.

For more information on Career Ready Fund and for the application form, visit https:// apma.ca/career-ready/.

EXTENDING EDUCATION

Axalta extends participating in I-CAR Sustaining Partner program

BY SOPHIE PRICE

Axalta has announced that they have extended its participation in I-CAR’s Sustaining Partner Program in North America to include Canada, effective July 1, 2020.

With Axalta involved in this program it allows refinishing students more accessible and affordable training, either virtual or in-person. This program is available at Axalta’s Learning and Development Centers, participants can earn a Platinum I-CAR credit at no charge from the accreditor.

This program is meant to deliver relevant education and solutions to the industry, assisting technicians with future employment opportunities and giving them the knowledge to provide customers with safe and skillful repairs.

“We are deeply committed to collision repair education. By expanding our partnership through I-CAR’s Sustaining Partner Program, we can now extend our prolific I-CAR credited course offering to customers in Canada and make it easier for them to earn I-CAR credits,” said Troy Weaver, vice president of Axalta, Global Refinish. “This no-cost training program helps our customers keep their I-CAR recognition valid to continue repairing vehicles with the safety and repair knowledge they need to be successful.”

“I-CAR Canada is very pleased to partner with Axalta through the Sustaining Partner Program,” said Andrew Shepherd, Executive Director of I-CAR Canada. “Our industry is international in so many ways, from vehicle technology and repair methods to supply chain and human resource challenges, that it makes sense to offer North American training solutions.”

Participation in the new Sustaining Partner Program allows Axalta’s customers to continue training using their own refinish brands while earning I-CAR Canada credits to meet their personal training goals.

Thursday 17 December 2020

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DIGGING IN

Ground-breaking ceremony kicks off new automotive innovation hub in Oro-Medonte

BY MADDY KYLIE

Oakleigh Developments took a huge symbolic step forward in getting the Oro Station Automotive Innovation Park off the ground, alongside Premier Doug Ford on August 20, 2020.

Ford, Geoff Campbell, managing partner of Oakleigh Developments and other local dignitaries gathered at the park’s location in Oro-Medonte Township to put the first shovels in the ground on the project.

The Oro Station has been in the works for more than a decade; however, it was officially approved in November 2019 when it was granted a minister’s zoning order, and the mid-August ground-breaking ceremony was the first step in kicking off the massive project.

The facility will feature more than 500,000 square feet of industrial space and a 4.2 km test track with dynamic driving areas. It will be located adjacent to Lake Simcoe Regional Airport in Oro-Medonte.

The multi-use facility that joins an automotive business park with a motorsport road course and testing facilities will be home to engineering, education, design, supply and manufacturing businesses all centred around the art and joy of the automobile.

The Oro Station is also partnered with Georgian College. In February 2019, Georgian College announced that, through its partnership with the township of Oro-Medonte, it will be working using the hub for automotive research, engineering and development.

“The automotive industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace and this partnership is an incredible opportunity for Georgian, the ABSC and our students to be part of shaping its future,” said Kevin Weaver, vice president of academics at Georgian College. “We look forward to exploring the various community and industry collaborations, and working closely with Oro Station through future programming, training and research to meet the innovation needs of the industry and local employers.”

The hub is expected to create 700 full-time jobs within Simcoe County, representing 50 percent of the forecasted employment growth in Oro-Medonte to 2031.

The site’s buildings are expected to open in 2021.

Geoff Campbell, managing partner of Oakleigh Developments, Premier Doug Ford and other local dignitaries gathered in Oro-Medonte Township to hold a ground-breaking ceremony for the Oro Station.