Training Directory 2022

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TRAINING

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2022

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SKILLVERI VR TRAINING | PAINTERS TRAIN AT SATA CANADA | ELECTRIC EDUCATION CHECK OUT THE LATEST INDUSTRY TRAINING NEWS AT TRAININGMATTERS.CA Canada Post Canadian Publications Mail Sales Product Agreement No. 40841632 l 86 John Street, Thornhill, ON L3T 1Y2

CONTENTS

SPOTLIGHT ON

TRAINING PUBLISHER Darryl Simmons publisher@collisionrepairmag.com ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Orest Tkaczuk | orest@mediamatters.ca EDITOR Allison Rogers | allison@mediamatters.ca ART DIRECTOR Yvonne Corvers | yvonne@mediamatters.ca STAFF WRITERS Max Reid | max@mediamatters.ca Kate Ng | kate@mediamatters.ca Tyler Majer | tyler@mediamatters.ca

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VP OF INDUSTRY RELATIONS & ADVERTISING Gloria Mann 647.998.5677 gd.mann@rogers.com

Knowing where to seek out skilled tradespeople can be tough—but show up in a suped-up training truck and they come out in force.

DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS SOLUTIONS Ellen Smith 416.312.7446 ellen@mediamatters.ca INDUSTRY RELATIONS ASSISTANT Wanja Mann 647.998.5677 wanjamann1@gmail.com AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT MANAGER James Kerr | james@mediamatters.ca DIGITAL OPERATIONS MANAGER Cassie Doyle | cassie@mediamatters.ca Training Directory™ is published by Media Matters Inc., publishers of:

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If you could say you have Olympic-level talent working at your facility, why wouldn’t you?

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Get the latest training on windshield repair out on the west coast in Okanagan College’s automotive glass technician program.

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F R E S H LY S Q U E E Z E D S K I L L S

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THE ARC OF THE WELD

The industry asked for more training for painters, and SATA has delivered with the Automotive Refinishing (410N) course set to be delivered to Toronto-area students soon.

The Canadian Welding Bureau is turning up the heat on its newly revamped Automotive Repair Technician Welding program.

The Training Directory™ is dedicated to serving the business interests of the automotive industry. It is published by Media Matters Incorporated. Material in the Training Directory™ may not be reproduced in any form without written consent from the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertising and disclaims all responsibility for claims or statements made by advertisers or independent columnists. All facts, opinions and statements appearing within this publication are those of the writers and editors, and are in no way to be construed as statements, positions or endorsements by the publisher. Media Matters Incorporated would like to thank the Ontario Media Development Corporation and the Province of Ontario for their generous support in helping to launch the Training Directory™.

“We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada”

PRINTED IN CANADA ISSN 1707-6072 CANADA POST CANADIAN PUBLICATIONS MAIL SALES PRODUCT AGREEMENT No. 40841632. RETURN POSTAGE GUARANTEED. Send change of address notices and undeliverable copies to: 86 John Street Thornhill, ON L3T 1Y2.

+M O R E T R A I N I N G M AT T E R S . C A

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CONTENTS

SPOTLIGHT ON

TRAINING

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One of Canada’s leading auto experts sets the record straight on electric vehicle repairs.

Check out where the collision industry currently stands in the struggle to secure more skilled tradespeople.

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CO L U MNS 06 P U B L I S H E R ’ S PA G E

Skillveri’s virtual-reality training software lets up-and-coming-techs make mistakes without making a mess in the process.

by Darryl Simmons

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LAST WORD

by Allison Rogers

2 0 2 2 /2 0 2 3 CO URS E LI S T I N G S Aluminum ADAS A pprenticeship Core Training Glass Hybrid/EV Health and Safety Mana gement/Estima ting

Measurement/Alignment Non-Structural Repair OEM Specific Paint & Refinishing Recycling Welding Structural Repair

EX PL O RE THE H UNDRE D S OF L IS TIN GS AVA I L A BLE ONLI NE AT TRAIN IN GMATTERS .CA 4

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PUBLISHER’S PAGE

CLASS IS ALWAYS IN SESSION In our industry, it’s easy to learn something new every day

By Darryl Simmons

Y

ou’re supposed to learn something new every day— at least that’s what the old adage says.

This fact rings especially true as we navigate the elementary and secondary education streams—but how often do you sit down now, in your adult life, and ponder what you learned in a day?

We live in an age of information. It takes twenty seconds to type a question into the Google machine—and, if you’ve posed your question coherently, it’ll probably toss you an atleast semi-correct answer. Learning something new every day has never been easier—you needn’t look further than the 700+ collision repair industry course listings on trainingmatters. ca to find stellar education providers in our very own sector.

to work around a high-voltage EV battery? Don’t worry—we’ve got info on that. Are you ready to meddle and work with the complexities of ever-changing body materials? Again—fear not, Collision Repair has got you covered.

Similarly so, autonomous vehicles are on the horizon. The way autopilot works—and the still-questionable role it plays in collisions—is sure to affect insurance and claims operations, and thus the way the industry processes repairs. You may not believe it now, but this, too, will require training—especially if you work in a forward-thinking, operations-minded facility.

So, vehicle autonomy and high-tech thingamabobs considered, you do, unfortunately, still require a brain. We’re not yet at the point where robots can conduct your repairs or

E L E C T R I C V E H I C L E S , A N Y O N E ? I T ’ S O N LY A M AT T E R O F T I M E B E F O R E W O R K I N G O N A T E S L A - T Y P E V E H I C L E B E C O M E S Y O U R E V E R Y D AY N O R M .

Our industry endures a change at a rapid pace. It’s one of the biggest perks of the job, but it’s also one of the main challenges.

In collision repair, Google cannot provide an accurate answer to all our questions. Fortunately, for someone looking to learn something new with every new day, every new model year, every new special edition colour that the OEMs draw out: this industry is definitely up your alley.

The automotive sector currently offers endless new opportunities to be excited about, and countless reasons as to why we should be excited for them. Electric vehicles, anyone? It’s only a matter of time before working on a Teslatype vehicle becomes your everyday norm. Do you know how

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accurately fit parts for you. Perhaps someday we’ll get there but, even then, we’ll need to train somebody on how to maintain the things. A Harrison Ford-type personality, circa Blade Runner.

But we don’t recommend falling in love with the robots. Maybe that’s a training course to look out for in the future. TD

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SATA CANADA No matter the surface, SATA is the standard

SATA Canada, a subsidiary of SATA GmbH & Co. KG., is headquartered in Vaughan, Ontario.

The facility occupies a total of 1,393.5 sq. m.

(15,000 sq. ft.), including offices, warehouse and training centre. The headquarters also features a service facility with the goal of turning any product around within a 24-hour period.

SATA Canada has official status as a training delivery agent from the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development. SATA offers an eight-week course in Automotive Refinishing, designed for anyone and everyone interested in a future in automotive painting. Graduates will receive their Ontario 410N certification— the equivalent of the Automotive Refinishing Technician Red Seal certification.

SATA paint spray equipment has been available in Canada since the 1980s. Whether it be for high-end vehicles, exclusive yachts and boats or designer furniture, when glossy surfaces are of utmost importance, painters swear by SATA. SATA products are designed and manufactured in Germany allowing demanding customers worldwide to obtain the perfect tools, to create perfect finishes.

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SATA sets the standard for paint spray guns, cup systems, breathing protection, filter technology and accessories. The company’s close cooperation with painters from various trades and industries as well as our research and development departments with application technicians from the leading paint manufacturers allow us to produce superior products of the highest quality.

SATA pioneered a multi-purpose reusable cup system, SATA RPS (Rapid Preparation System) for the efficient mixing, painting, refilling and storing of paint. Participate in the SATA Loyalty Program and collect coins with every cup. Scan the QR code located on every box of SATA RPS cups, collect points and convert them into attractive rewards for your shop.

The home of the SATA brand is Kornwestheim, a town in the district of Ludwigsburg, BadenWürttemberg, about 10 kilometers north of Stuttgart. SATA is a leading spray gun manufacturer with 276 employees, active in over 100 markets worldwide with 2,436 customers.

“SATA Quality”is a firm conviction for any painter: reliability, durability and ergonomics of their SATA products are not something to be questioned. TD

“SATA SETS THE STANDARD FOR PAINT SPRAY GUNS, CUP SYSTEMS, BREATHING PROTECTION, FILTER TECHNOLOGY AND ACCESSORIES. THE COMPANY’S CLOSE COOPERATION WITH PAINTERS FROM VARIOUS TRADES AND INDUSTRIES. “SATA QUALITY” IS A FIRM CONVICTION FOR ANY PAINTER: RELIABILITY, DURABILITY AND ERGONOMICS OF THEIR SATA PRODUCTS ARE NOT SOMETHING TO BE QUESTIONED.”

ECONOMICAL. QUIET. REVOLUTIONARY X-JET SYSTEM. The revolutionary

SATAjet X 5500 The SATAjet X 5500 is the latest SATA paint spray gun for highest demands. With the X nozzle system, painters are able to cope with all paint systems and application recommendations.

Designed with perfectly synchronised air flow geometry inside spray gun and nozzle set ensuring perfect material distribution, optimised atomisation and precise spray fan shapes. All of this combined with material savings and a much softer application with a reduced noise level.

Two distinct available spray fan patterns per nozzle size allowing either enhanced application control or increased application speed as well as the adaptation of the nozzle set to different temperature and air humidity levels.

REVOLUTIONARY: The atomization of the X nozzles sets new standards NOTICEABLY QUIETER: Whispering nozzle due to optimised flow geometry PRECISE: Optimised material distribution for enhanced spraying uniformity and atomisation with both spray fan shapes LOW MAINTENANCE: No air distribution insert required CONSISTANT: Constant fan size across the entire nozzle spectrum with linear increases of the material flow rate EFFICIENT: Considerable material savings with the same application method Available in (HVLP/RP) technology and jet shape ("I" or "O")

INFO www.sata.com/X500

SATA Canada Inc. 125 Buttermill Avenue Vaughan, ON L4K 3X5 Phone: +1 905 660 1101 Toll-free: +1 844 554 SATA (7282) Fax: +1 905 760 1250 contact@sata.ca www.sata.com

Freshly Squeezed Skills SATA Canada hosts Tropicana students for refinishing training

SATA Canada recently offered to host a four-day intensive automotive refinish introductory program for Tropicana’s graduating auto body preapprenticeship class. PPG Canada was kind enough to supply paint materials for the students.

Well-known industry trainer Rob Hill showed the students the ropes at SATA Canada’s Vaughan, Ont. Training Centre.

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Rob Hill and Sarah Mari, posing with her brand-new spray gun after being named SATA’s student with the most painting promise.

T

SATA’s week-long training session, a condensed version of the 410N Automotive Refinishing Technician course offered by the company, consisted of both classroom learning and hands-on training.

ropicana Employment Services’ class of The session consisted of both classroom autobody Pre-Apprenticeship students learning and hands-on training. Well-known were recently treated to some fresh new industry trainer Rob Hill will take students skills, courtesy of SATA Canada’s Automotive through the foundations of paint, primer, painting Refinishing (410N) course offering. techniques, tinting and colour match.

Tropicana has been working to provide youth At the end of the program, students will have a in the Toronto area with career and employment “good basic understanding of automotive painting, opportunities since 1980. The organization’s Auto colour and application,” said SATA Canada’s Body Pre-Apprenticeship L-1 program is designed General Manager, John Turner. The course gives to deliver students with an understanding each student insight as to whether they would like to take the next steps to become a full-time of autobody repair and prepare them for apprenticeship on the collision centre floor. professional painter.

SATA Canada recently offered to host a fourSATA’s 410N offering is hosted at the day intensive automotive refinish introductory company’s training center, a state-of-the-art, program for Tropicana’s graduating auto body 230 sq. m. (2,500 sq. ft.) facility containing a pre-apprenticeship class. PPG Canada was commercial dual-bay spray booth, prep areas kind enough to supply paint materials for the and classroom that can accommodate up to forty students. people. SATA Canada provides all students with

the needed equipment, paint suits and breathing protection.

As an added incentive, students painted their own mini aluminum car hoods and received a certificate of successful course completion.

Following the Tropicana training session, Sarah Mari—the student that showed the most promise, as judged by the SATA crew—went home with a brand-new SATAjet 1500 B SoLV. SATA Canada has official status as a training delivery agent from the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development. SATA offers an eight-week course in Automotive Refinishing, designed for anyone interested in a future in automotive painting. Graduates will receive their Ontario 410N certification— the equivalent of the Automotive Refinishing Technician Red Seal certification. TD

For more information on SATA’S 410N offering, please contact SATA Canada by email at contact@sata.ca or by phone at 905-660-1101.

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Skills on the GO Skills Ontario unveils Trades and Tech Truck at Fix Network’s Ontario Training Centre

From left to right: Steve Leal, president and CEO, Fix Network World; Daryll O'Keefe, regional VP, Ontario, Fix Network Canada; Ian Howcroft, CEO, SkillsOntario; Parm Gill, MPP for Milton, Ontario, and Sylvain Séguin, executive VP, Fix Network Canada.

Daryll O'Keefe, regional VP, Ontario for Fix Network Canada, and his longtime industry pal, Gloria Mann of Media Matters.

By Max Reid

S

kills Ontario, alongside Fix Network at its Milton, Ont. training centre, has officially cut the ribbon on the Trades and Tech Truck before it sets off to schools across the province.

With the smell of tacos wafting from a food truck and the sound of mingling guests filling the air, representatives from both Fix Auto and Skills Ontario were geared up for an exciting day.

The focus of the event was on a group of seven students from Milton District High School who were given the first run through of Skills Ontario’s new mobile hand-on learning centre.

“It was a real eye-opener for what we will learn on our placements,” said one Grade 12 co-op student.

“We were really excited to see an industry-grade shop. We have our shop at school, but it’s nothing like this,” said another student.

The converted box truck has several interactive stations for students and parents to engage with, including various virtual reality welding and painting simulators, a pneumatic pump setup, as well as a locker full of tools and safety equipment to interact with.

Executives from Fix Network were also excited to be a part of bringing a learning experience directly to Ontario’s students.

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Fix Network CEO, Steve Leal voiced his enthusiasm for the event and how it connects various aspects of the auto industry.

“I think this is a great initiative to involve the community, the government and everyone to make sure we can bring this message to the front line as much as we can,” said Leal.

The event also proved a small reunion for the Fix Network and Skills Ontario.

“The Fix Network has long partnered with Skills Ontario on many levels, but this new truck is meant to go out into the public and go to schools and events and introduce the young people of Ontario to the trades,” said Fix Network’s regional v-p of Ontario, Daryll O’Keefe.

“They will actually get the opportunity to touch and try new skills. For young kids, they can even try on some of the safety equipment without touching tools, but the older kids can do virtual welding, virtual painting, even change the tire of a truck, all inside this mobile classroom.”

Skills Ontario’s CEO, Ian Howcroft spoke to the importance of having a hands-on experience with the tools of the trades.

“We feel that the best way to introduce people to a skilled trade is to let them have that experience;

“THEY WILL ACTUALLY GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO TOUCH AND TRY NEW SKILLS. FOR YOUNG KIDS, THEY CAN EVEN TRY ON SOME OF THE SAFETY EQUIPMENT WITHOUT TOUCHING TOOLS, BUT THE OLDER KIDS CAN DO VIRTUAL WELDING, VIRTUAL PAINTING, EVEN CHANGE THE TIRE OF A TRUCK, ALL INSIDE THIS MOBILE CLASSROOM.” — Daryll O’Keefe Regional VP of Ontario, Fix Network World

“It was a real eye-opener for what we will learn on our placements,” said one Grade 12 co-op student at the event. Others remarked that it was an eye-opening experience to see a real industry shop for the first time.

pick up a tool, try one of the simulators, whether it’s crane operating, truck driving or welding,”said Howcroft.

“We encourage them to get the information to make the best decisions for themselves.”

To add to the excitement of a mobile classroom parked directly across from a taco truck, Milton’s member of provincial parliament, Parm Gill, was also on hand to announce a $2 million investment into the Canadian We l d i n g B u re a u’s (C W B ) We l d i n g Foundation.

“We have 300,000 jobs that are going unfilled and most of those are in the trades. It’s important for us that if we want to rebuild our province, we as a government need to make sure we work with the industry and stakeholders and make sure we are doing what we can to address some of these challenges,” said Gill.

“One of the things I think we have lacked over the years is providing the information and resources to our young people…I would encourage all the boards of education, the parents, the students, to really take a good look at [the trades]. It may just be the career for you.” TD

Stu Klein, technical trainer for Fix Network World, shows a high school student the basics of spotting a dent.

Students can learn techniques in 3D printing, electrical wiring, heavy machinery operation, automotive refinishing and much more within the Skills Ontario Trades and Tech Truck walls.

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“WE ENCOURAGE THEM TO GET THE INFORMATION TO MAKE THE BEST DECISIONS FOR THEMSELVES.” — Ian Howcroft, Skills Ontario’s CEO

“We feel that the best way to introduce people to a skilled trade is to let them have that experience; pick up a tool, try one of the simulators, whether it’s crane operating, truck driving or welding,” said Ian Howcroft, CEO of Skills Ontario.

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Milton, Ontario’s member of provincial parliament, Parm Gill, was also on hand to announce a $2 million investment into the CWB Welding Foundation. “One of the things we have lacked over the years is providing the information and resources to our young people,” he admitted.

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IAA’s Training and Learning Development launched training program LEAD

IAA, Inc. is a global digital marketplace connecting vehicle buyers and sellers. Leveraging leading-edge technology and focusing on innovation, IAA’s unique platform facilitates the marketing and sale of total-loss, damaged and low-value vehicles. Headquartered near Chicago in Westchester, Illinois, IAA has nearly 4,000 employees and more than 200 facilities throughout the U.S., Canada and the United Kingdom. IAA serves a global buyer base – located throughout over 170 countries – and a full spectrum of sellers, including insurers, dealerships, fleet lease and rental car companies, and charitable organizations.

As a global organization, a scalable training framework is critical to the company’s success. IAA’s Training and Learning Development (TLD) department launched in spring 2015 with a vision for LEAD – a learning ecosystem that connects teams across locations and countries, provides training, career pathways, policies, and standards. Meeting each staff as they onboard with IAA, LEAD offers new hire orientation and essentials training, content retention and resources through certification and development of career paths and adds competitive edge through gamification, leaderboards, and certification.

LEAD consists of four core pillars – Learn, Execute, Access, and Develop – that guide training opportunities. Learn are course modules that build foundational knowledge of IAA, understanding and skills in the operational standards, practices, and key processes that guide day-to-day business at Insurance Auto Auctions. Examples of Learn level training include: • On-boarding • HR requirements and key documents • Compliance / policy review and acknowledgment • Safety / security • Customer care video / podcast • Organizational / operational knowledge Execute courses take a deep dive in to the processes, practices, and requisite skills for specific job roles in IAA. Modules include components from the 5E’s — Engage, Explore, Explain, Extend, Evaluate. It’s what is needed to ensure the job is done and done well.

Examples of Execute level training / resources include: • Virtual blended learning • Onsite demonstration • Video based demonstration • Skill accreditation / certification LEAD encourages staff to connect -Access- with colleagues in similar roles or with roles that support the work they do, building networks of knowledge, resources, and practice, developing knowledge in real-time.

Examples include: • Real-time sharing of information • Intranet resources • Social Learning Develop is a multi-faceted feature within the Center — a lens for career planning and mapping, certification, training badges, and advanced skills training for staff growth. Examples of Develop level training include: • Job specific accreditation • Career planning • Skills transcript • Performance matrix • Advanced Skills — Using Competencies Successfully

IAA’s employees are its greatest resource. Skilling and upskilling staff to successfully complete the role responsibilities within their respective job position or set a path for growth in a new role is critical to IAA success and organizational goals. Within that vision, Training and Learning Development launched the LEAD Center, creating a learning portal where staff learn, plan, communicate, and develop valuable skills. The IAA learning continuum begins with the basic standards and skills staff need, and builds upon that foundation, providing a path for knowledge acquisition, experience, tools, connections, and wisdom needed to meet success in serving our clients.

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Training in the LEAD Center is both pushed, assigned, and pulled or employee-selected. Key words aligned with training content provide opportunity to search and enroll in content by topic and area of interest.

The learning portal encourages employees to follow colleagues with similar skills and roles of interest, suggesting training titles for personal growth and supporting career development.

Opportunities for career consideration at IAA are many.

Visit Careers at IAA | IAA-Insurance Auto Auctions (iaai.com) to learn more and apply.

Impact Auto Auctions is Now IAA BID. BUY. REPAIR. CA.IAAI.com © 2022 IAA, Inc. All rights reserved.

Trades Got Talent Where does your province stand?

By Kate Ng

H

ave you tried hiring lately? For many markets, the post-pandemic landscape offers a far different reality than the one so many businesses were one accustomed to. Collision Repair sourced the latest available data to examine the state of apprenticeships, province by province. While this report will use the latest data available, these numbers reflect the latest, reported data from official sources, not the actual number of skilled repairers in your province.

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BRITISH COLUMBIA In British Columbia, RAIS registrations stayed relatively stable; 2,985 in 2015 to 2991 in 2020. Of these, 110 were refinishing technicians and 2,428 were service technicians according to B.C.’s Industry Training Authority.

2.

ALBERTA According to Statistics Canada’s Registered Apprenticeship Information System (RAIS), Alberta reported “record low” apprenticeship certifications across all trades in 2020, with 4,332 new apprentices registered overall. Apprenticeship program registrations in Alberta have fallen from 4,173 in 2015 to 3,828 in 2020.

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SASKATCHEWAN According to the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission, the number of auto body and collision apprentices rose from 119 in 2019 to 145 in 2020. Of these, 21 became journeypersons out of 33 written exams.

MANITOBA According to data by Knoema, apprenticeship registration rose from 9,792 in 2019 to 9,906 in 2020. However, Statistics Canada says that the number of registered apprentices in the automotive industry has declined to 1,686 in 2018, compared to 1,776 in 2017.

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ONTARIO The most recent open data provided by the government of Ontario dates back to 2013, indicating that 1160 auto body and collision repairers and 144 auto body repairers were registered in an active apprenticeship program. More recent data indicates that in Ontario, RAIS registrations fell from 14,949 in 2015 to 10,548 in 2020. The government of Canada’s Job Bank rates the job prospects of the collision repair industry as ‘fair,’ with good prospects in Northwestern Ontario.

6. QUEBEC

RAIS data was unavailable in Quebec as the Red Seal program is not applicable to the province. However, Statistics Canada data indicates that Quebec saw a significant drop in apprenticeship registrations and certifications, from approximately 19,000 to 13,750. The number of automotive apprentices fell from 51 to 27. Despite these low numbers, nearly 21,000 certifications (not registrations) are required to sustain a skilled workforce in the province.

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9. PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

NOVA SCOTIA Nova Scotia’s Apprenticeship board indicates a mild decline from 822 total apprentices in 2020 to 811 apprentices in 2021. However, RAIS apprenticeship registrations rose from 642 to 825 between 2020 to 2021.

NEWFOUNDLAND 10. AND LABRADOR Statistics Canada shows that apprenticeship registrations rose from 399 to 411 in 2020. Pay in the region is higher than other provinces, but only 4 autobody repair jobs are listed on the Government of Canada’s Job Bank, as of June 2022.

Apprenticeship registrations have fallen from 141 in 2019 to 123 in 2020. Data on this province is scarce, but the Job Bank of Canada indicates just two autobody repairer vacancies across the entire province.

According to Newfoundland and Labrador’s Workforce Development Action Plan, there is a ratio of two to three apprentices for each journeyperson—more than the one-toone ratio in Manitoba, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.

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NEW BRUNSWICK While Statistics Canada shows that apprenticeship registrations rose from 552 to 579 in 2020, local data sourced from the team at CSN Dana’s Collision Centre indicates that only 87 were in the collision repair industry and only 9 completed their Red Seal that year. Dana Alexander, the company’s president, says apprenticeship numbers remain low despite rising demand among repair shops.

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The EV-Jeebies Electric vehicles aren’t as scary as you think

David Giles, co-founder, All EV Canada.

“A gas-powered Kona to an electric Kona— they’re identical, for the most part, other than their powertrain.”

— David Giles, co-founder, All EV Canada

By Allison Rogers

C

ollision repairers, buckle up. Your everyday life is about to get far more shocking.

Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming more common on Canadian roadways. Last June, the federal government announced its goals to nix new sales of gas-powered vehicles by 2035.

Several provinces offer incentives to persuade consumers to opt for EVs when purchasing new vehicles, in addition to the Liberal government’s federal incentive. Like it or not, electric vehicles are on the horizon—and there’s a lot you’ll need to know on how to repair them.

The first step is dismantling the truth from the hubbub.

Electric vehicle enthusiasts know the Chevrolet Bolt’s plights well. In September, General Motors issued a warning, cautioning Bolt owners to take three precautions to mitigate the risk of fire in their vehicles. First, the automaker warned to set charging limits to 90 percent; then, to charge vehicles more frequently to avoid depletion below 113 kilometers of range and, finally, GM warned Bolt owners to park outside “immediately after charging,” and should not leave vehicles charging indoors overnight.

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In a similar trend, Stellantis announced in February that an internal investigation led to the discovery of 12 fires among model-year 2017 and 2018 vehicles. The release noted all the vehicles that were reported to have caught fire were parked and turned off, eight of which were connected to chargers.

Combine those trends with a Summer 2021 study suggesting electric vehicles could burst into flames up to 24 hours after a collision.

David Giles, electric vehicle expert and cofounder of AllEV Canada, says the frequency of electric vehicle fires is merely a matter of perspective.

“For every 100,000 gas-powered vehicles, there are about 1,600 vehicle fires. Whereas, for every 100,000 EVs, there are about 25 vehicle fires,” said Giles. “The risk is very, very low. Far lower than in a gas-powered vehicle.

“For an EV to just burst into flames, just sitting there would be like winning the lottery—it’s just so rare. Something typically has to be connected, like if you’re charging a vehicle and something happens in the module. In fact, with the Bolt recalls, it wasn’t an issue with the batteries themselves; it

was the construction and how the units were put together. The batteries themselves are very stable.”

Giles deals with misinformation around EVs on a near-daily basis. “[An EV owner] once drove two hours down to one of our facilities for a tire change. He had tried to get his local place to do it, but they said the local fire department was unable to supervise the job,” he chuckled.

The lack of EV awareness across the board spurs fears of increased write-offs. With today’s technologies already imposing restrictions on post-collision repairability, many fear that the problem will only grow with EVs outweighing internal combustion engines.

“We acquired several total-loss listed vehicles in our early days at All EV Canada, all with minimal damage,” said Giles. “I actually called one of the owners—he was in Ontario—and he was very upset his vehicle was seen as total loss when he drove it home from the accident. The reason it was written off? Because it had taken so long to wait for the parts required in the repair.”

Giles said he has personally spoken with appraisers to answer questions on EV repairability.

“FOR EVERY 100,000 GAS-POWERED VEHICLES, THERE ARE ABOUT 1,600 VEHICLE FIRES. WHEREAS, WITH 100,000 ELECTRIC VEHICLES, THERE ARE ABOUT 25 VEHICLE FIRES. THE RISK IS VERY, VERY LOW. FAR LOWER THAN IN A GAS-POWERED VEHICLE.” — David Giles, co-founder, All EV Canada

“Most of the questions are about the battery and whether it’s been damaged in the collision. I typically pose the question, ‘Do you replace your iPhone every time you drop it on the ground?’ These batteries are very well protected and designed to take impact. In fact, many of them are structurally incorporated into the vehicle.

“I’ve seen some heavily damaged batteries—they did not burst into flames. Even a battery fire does not burn the entire battery; plenty of the material in a burnt battery is still recyclable.

“Vehicles that may look like they are fire-damaged or total loss—there will still be materials there for the taking.”

Plus EVs, particularly their batteries, carry “massive warranties,” added Giles, sometimes upwards of eight years.

Giles is convinced that, as more information circulates, the fog will continue to clear, as evident by the last decade.

“In the beginning, total losses were definitely a big concern. Now, as we uncover more information, collision repairers are getting better at repairing electric vehicles and realizing there aren’t many differences in safety aspects and what they need to learn.

“Once you understand the basic safety procedures, you follow OE procedure and it’s really no different than repairing a regular gas-powered vehicle.” TD

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THE ARC OF THE WELD CWB introduces welding course to address industry needs

“WITH MORE TRAINEES, WE ARE GAINING A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF PARTICIPANT NEEDS, AND WE CAN ADJUST THE PROGRAM ACCORDINGLY.” — Victor Andrisani, CWB Consulting Manager

With a national labour shortage predicted for aluminum welding basics, silicon bronze brazing, the welding industry through 2028, new bonds shielding gas types, and transfer modes of the need to be made within the industry. Connections GMAW process. between education and hands-on experience can After the presentation, practical training begins. surely help fuse together the needs of workers and Students will learn how to operate welding employers alike. machines, and how to operate them according to welding variables such as voltage and travel speed.

The Canadian Welding Bureau has introduced Students will then be able to practice qualification a new course to solve these needs and unite the welding industry’s workforce with employers and specifications, and challenge qualification tests skilled technicians. The CWB’s Automotive Repair to receive credential certificates for each welding Technician Welding Program allows employers to process. book in-shop welding training and certification Collision Repair recently reached out to the testing for their workers to ensure the best CWB Consulting manager Victor Andrisani to and most up-to-date skills to serve the needs of get insight on the importance of this program the public. for the industry and the reason for its inception.

The course itself begins with formal training According to Andrisani, the course was created, administered through a PowerPoint presentation. “in response to overwhelming feedback from the This presentation provides students with industry.” education on welding safety, welding equipment, The needs addressed by the course provide the and processes related to the trade such as: steel/ “highest quality repair, utilizing best practices, and 22

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ensuring that vehicles are safely and adequately repaired.”For students, “The goal of the program is to equip technicians with an additional set of skills, knowledge, and qualifications to fuel their career progression,” said Andrisani in an e-mail.

The program is offered on-site, and in-shop, offering collision repair businesses professional training in the comfort of their own workplaces.

Revisions were made to the program in March 2022, updating the specifications of the course according to the skills levels of technicians. In turn, the program accounts for individual paths to success for its participants.

“With more trainees, we are gaining a better understanding of participant needs, and we can adjust the program accordingly,” says Andrisani.

To find out more about the course, interested parties can visit the CWB Consulting website at www.cwbgroup.org/autorepair or by calling their toll-free number: 1-800 844 6790 ext. 290 TD

CWB Automotive Repair Technician Welding Program NOW AVAILABLE Get the training and welding qualification you need to stay ahead of the game.

Automotive Welding Qualification is a must-have for all technicians that repair and weld vehicles in your collision repair facility. To achieve the highest quality repair, utilize best practices, and ensure vehicles are properly and safely repaired, choose the CWB Automotive Repair Welding Qualification program for your team. For over 70 years, the CWB Group has provided training and testing services to companies across Canada seeking Certification and Welder Qualification.

CWB Automotive Welding Qualification Benefits • Automotive Welding Training and Qualification at your own facility with your own equipment • Ensure all your technicians have the training and skills needed for welding • Increased skill levels = quality assurance for Collision Repair Facilities • Satisfies welding certification requirements for most OEM Certification programs • Third party oversight and onsite training by certified welding specialists • Enhanced credibility provided by CWB Automotive welding certifications • Savings when you register multiple technicians to participate • Technicians receive CWB Automotive Welding accreditation after completing training and testing

Register for Welding Education and Certification today at: www.cwbgroup.org/autorepair Direct Testing scheduling at: cwbautomotive@cwbgroup.org | 1.800.844.6790 ext. 290

INCLUSIVE PORTFOLIO, EXCLUSIVE RESULTS The diversified refinish solutions you need to stay profitable. valsparauto.com

Fired Up A week of competition brings years of benefits for shops and competitors

T

The medallists for car painting at the technical level. Bronze went to Loick Joly of Quebec, left; silver went to Mikayla Racz of Ontario, right, and gold went to Dorien Lozeau of Alberta, who claimed his second National title.

“PART OF MAKING THE COLLISION REPAIR INDUSTRY ATTRACTIVE IS KEEPING EMPLOYEES AND CHALLENGING THEM— NOT JUST HAVING THEM SIT.” — Craig Koughan, owner, Fix Auto Sherwood Park

Locals should keep in touch with the post-secondary car painting category winners for 2022—their skills will only grow from here! Bronze went to Tyler Duling of New Brunswick, far left; silver went to Manitoba-based Sabrina Bishop, far right, while gold went to British Columbia’s Theodore Abril.

By Kate Ng

his year, competitors travelled to Vancouver to participate in the 2022 Skills Canada National Competition, eager to prove their skills to their friends, instructors, and employers.

For most, they returned better for it.

Dorien Lozeau, the lead painter at CSN Black Ace and two-time painting competition winner, described it as a chance to network and showcase his work, along with creature comforts like fancy hotels.

“It’s definitely a very cool competition. it’s a chance to visit new places, learn a lot, meet new people, try top-of-the-line equipment and return to the shop with more experience and connections,” said Dorien.

It is not just hotels and networking though.

The rigour and stress of competition can impart lessons that will serve competitors for a lifetime.

“It was my first [Nationals]. In the second competition, my welder decided to stop working.

I had to get used to a completely new welder and complete the project in an hour,” recounts Ethan Almeida, a high school student from Bradford, Excellence Auto Collision.

His calm and composure would earn him a gold medal later that day.

“It was stressful in the moment, but seeing your work come out on top is definitely rewarding,” said Ethan.

While the benefits for competitors are clearer, they can be less obvious for shop owners— especially those unaware of the competition and what it entails. In an industry suffering from a skilled worker shortage, overlooking events that promote youth involvement in the trades is far more than frowned upon.

Skills Canada competitions provide an ample recruiting ground for top new talents.

The competitors who have proven themselves in preceding contests—not to mention youth spectators who may become prospective apprentices.

This pool isn’t guaranteed though: Bill Speed, chairperson of the Toronto District School Board Auto Collision and Car Painting Skills Competitions, says these potential workers are just as likely to someday work in another industry, unless T R A I N I N G M AT T E R S . C A

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Skills Canada competitions provide an ample recruiting ground for top new talents. The competitors who have proven themselves in preceding contests—not to mention youth spectators who may become prospective apprentices.

At the post-secondary level for autobody and collision repair, Jose Pazmino of New Brunswick claimed bronze; Joey Bruno of B.C.’s Okanagan College took home silver, while Dorrian Selley of Manitoba’s Red River College took the gold.

the autobody repair industry makes a point to showcase its prospects. “[Collision centre owners] get to see what’s out there, and who’s going to top up the backfill.

Retirements are coming up and there’s not enough technicians to go around. Our industry and many others are in the same boat. We’re trying to get the same kid,” said Bill.

Many industries are struggling with a shortage in workers, but the skilled trades are in a particularly dire state. According to Statistics Canada, 59 percent of these businesses encountered skill shortages. For reference, no other industries came close—computer science and design had shortages of 16.3 percent and 15.4 percent respectively.

Even though the shortage plagues most of North America, combating it starts at the grassroots level, said Craig Koughan, owner of Fix Auto Sherwood Park.

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Maxwell Fisher of Alberta’s Fix Auto Sherwood Park took home silver at the technical level, while Abigail King claimed the gold. Mohammadali Foroughishad, not pictured, took the bronze medal.

“Volunteering opened my eyes to see the other trades. Part of making the collision repair industry attractive is keeping employees and challenging them, not just having them sit,”said Koughan, who served as an autobody repair judge at the Skills Alberta provincial event this spring.

Few have been on both ends of this split between personal development and managing a shop floor, but Mark Milson is one of these individuals. Before he was a director at Excellence Auto Collision, he previously competed at WorldSkills Helsinki, back in 2005.

He believes his background in skills competitions translates well in the business world.

“The experience allows us to relate to the challenges our staff face every day. It also enables us to communicate with customers and insurance partners at a very high technical level,”said Milson While some may worry about sending off their techs for a day out of the shop, Skills Canada

veterans know the return can easily outweigh a few days in lost work.

“It’s a great experience for the competitors. A technician who participates will gain experience, confidence and bring value to your shop,” said Cecile Bukmeier, acting chair of the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) autobody program, who has ten years of experience in Skills Canada and provided her expertise at the Kazan, Russia, WorldSkills event in 2019. “They get to meet other people in the industry and make these connections.”

Financially motivated owners can also look forward to an improved bottom line, thanks to the marketing opportunities from having a national level competitor working on the floor.

“Skills Canada is the Olympics for the trades,”said Bukmeier. “It’s an opportunity to showcase the facility and how you brought them forward to that level of confidence.” TD

OUR DRIVE SINCE 1894.

Our mission remains the same—deliver on the Sherwin-Williams® repair promise with nothing short of highperformance resultsdriven coatings and products, and drive our customers business with innovative solutions and programs, superior service and support, technical training and resources, and expert-led business consulting. Demonstratable repeatable results—connecting color performance with labor optimization and delivering on improved process speeds.

That’s what drives us. It’s what drives you—and what drives your business.

visit sherwin-automotive.com

Through the Looking Glass Okanagan College clears up auto glass confusion

By Kate Ng

In today’s day and age, taking the steps to understand glass repair and replacement is a clear path to success.

S

ome may consider it a pane, but understanding glass is integral in today’s collision repair industry.

British Columbia’s Okanagan College is just one entity offering an automotive glass technician apprenticeship course, providing students with work experience under a trained glass technician, while training them to handle the next generation of cars.

Total tuition for the two-year apprenticeship course sits around $270, according to the Okanagan College website, and covers learning in the areas of safety, care and use of automotive glass tools; damage assessment; removal and installation procedures; supplement restraint systems; windshield repair; template preparation and more.

Students must be registered as an apprentice with the ITA BC and must work for an employer with at least one qualified journeyperson to qualify for Okanagan’s program.

“Automotive vehicles have never been so advanced, and we need to meet the industry’s demand for technicians and that training,” said Danny Marques, an automotive collision repair instructor at Okanagan College.

A graduating apprentice brings knowledge of the latest technology to their shop, and potentially improved methodology and repair techniques.

Visit okanagan.bc.ca/automotive-glasstechnician-apprenticeship to learn more. TD

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Students must be registered as an apprentice with the ITA BC and must work for an employer with at least one qualified journeyperson to qualify for Okanagan’s program.

ASSURING SUCCESS Assured Automotive on supporting industry training and development Left, Kal Abdi, general manager Assured Brampton accepting the Employee of the Year Award.

Paul Medeiros accepts the Tony Giancola Excellence and Dedication Award from Assured Automotive HQ.

Assured Allards General Manager Ryan Griffin, right, accepts the 2021 Store of the Year Award.

Ryan Sankar (on the left) accepting the 2021 Operational Excellence Award and the 2021 Customer Service Excellence Award.

Lori Caetano-Joyce, manager of Assured Brantford accepts the Best Profitability Award.

I

f you are an independent, a multi-shop owner or a member of a repair network, securing young talent for the future of our industry is of your concern. This is an industry-wide issue.

Rather than waiting for some regulatory action or governmentbased entity to address the issue, Assured is taking a grassroots approach to the issue, creating scholarships to support truly passionate students in their journey to becoming Licensed Body Technicians.

Assured Automotive has approached two Ontario colleges that previously approved programs for individuals in the trade to pursue education. Centennial College in Scarborough, and Fanshawe College in London, Ontario, have both agreed to partner with Assured Automotive to annually recognize a graduating student with a job offer, a $1,000 bursary and a plaque of recognition to remain on college grounds.

Laura Nelson, manager of Assured Concordia East accepts the Best Touch Time Award.

Jared Overland of Assured Automotive Guelph accepts the 2021 Assured Technician of the Year Award.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE: ASSUREDAUTO.CA

ADVERTORIAL

Before Your Very Eyes Extended reality training as a gateway to hands-on techniques

By Allison Rogers

W

hat if you could paint a car in the comfort of your own bedroom? Or make a weld from your kitchen table?

It’s probably not the best idea—this magazine is unaware of a detergent capable of removing automotive solvents—but Skillveri’s extendedreality (XR) training allows you to brush up your skills in a similar fashion, by donning an Oculus Quest 2 or HTC Vive headset and mimicking the same movements you’d perform in the bodyshop or welding room.

Cognisco Technologies Inc, a Montreal based supplier of XR, simulation, and e-learning solutions for Career and Technical Education across North America—including automotive service, machining, cosmetology, and construction— offers the Skillveri XR training solutions for

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The Skillveri welding module—named Aura—allows students to learn basic structures for different positions and joints, including torch-angle, arc length and speed techniques.

automotive spray painting and welding. The solution is suited for all body collision, refinishing and welding technology programs.

Skillveri runs on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware via the ubiquitous and inexpensive Meta (Oculus) Quest 2 or HTC Vive platforms, along with software available on an annual subscription basis.

With subscriptions, schools can equip entire classrooms of any size and use multiple modules in the same environments; while one student is spraying a fender, another could lay a weld mere feet away.

Skillveri’s XR paint training module, called Chroma, is used in hundreds of high schools and colleges worldwide, including Vancouver Community College and numerous Ontario

school boards. Through the spraying module, designed specifically to train automotive collision students, Cognisco says users can learn the basic skills necessary to be a great painter. The system mimics the same feedback and noise as a reallife downdraft spray booth and allows students to understand the appropriate movement techniques required for a proper paint job, says Cognisco. Settings are entirely customizable to the student; from fan height, nozzle orientation, part type or material—even paint colours can be selected on a student’s whim.

The Skillveri welding module—named Aura— allows students to learn basic structures for different positions and joints, including torchangle, arc length and speed techniques. Training is offered in multiple welding processes, including

Skillveri’s XR training modules encourage students to gain muscle memory in their painting and welding practices, wielding the Oculus touch controllers as they would a spray gun or welding torch.

MIG, GMAW, SMAW, GTAW and FCAW processes, and in all weld positions—1G-6G, 1F-5F, lap and fillet joints.

Live feedback is also generated as students perform virtual welds, including insights on arc length, speed, angles and welding paths. An incourse exam also allows students to test their skills in the virtual realm, which then provides a score based on a comprehensive assessment of skilled parameters like stickout, travel speed, and more.

Another standout feature of the Aura XR training module includes the platform’s crosssection view, which allows users to visually analyze all angles of the weld manually.

“The program is exceptionally easy and quick to start up,” said Stephen Perron, vice president and managing partner of Cognisco Technologies, the company that administers Skillveri’s learning modules in Canada.

“Students are big fans, too, because it challenges their skills.”

The same reality-extending devices used in Skillveri’s programming are also used in many video games and were one of the most popular gifts last holiday season. Simulators for Skillveri’s platform are easily transportable, making learning from anywhere not only possible, but exceptionally easy and affordable.

Further, instructors can monitor student results in real-time over the Internet or draw conclusions from completion reports and in-module exams.

For more information on Skillveri’s rangel of XR training solutions, visit the website www.cogniscotech.com or skillveri.com TD

“OUR XR REQUIRES VERY LITTLE HANDHOLDING AND CAN BE QUICKLY SETUP FOR AN ENTIRE CLASSROOM. STUDENTS LOVE IT BECAUSE IT’S ENGAGING AND CHALLENGING.” — Stephen Perron VP and managing partner, Cognisco Technologies

Skillveri offers two programs that would be of interest to automotive students: painting, via the Chroma module, or welding through the Aura module.

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In Focus: Training Providers Highlights of some key training institutions, and available products.

Car-O-Liner

car-o-liner.com

CTR®9 Spot Welder The CAR-O-LINER® CTR® 9 fully automatic welder has a revolutionary, lightweight transformer gun. The c-gun’s 355° swivel handle with ergo-grip enables perfect working positions and is supported by a telescopic arm in lightweight aluminum that can be adjusted vertically and horizontally. A compact power unit gives stability while the 16,000-amp transformer and CANBUS communication ensure a perfect weld every time.

Valspar Inclusive Portfolio, Exclusive Results Valspar® offers a complete portfolio of well-known refinish, fleet and custom brands including DeBeer Refinish®, Matrix Edge™, Octoral®, Valspar® Refinish, Valspar® Industrial Mix (VIM) and Prospray Finishes®. Valspar brand paint and products are distributed through authorized jobbers and warehouse distributors. A leader for quality automotive refinish paints and coatings and collision repair products, Valspar brands deliver everything shops need to succeed including outstanding quality, color consistency, shortened cycle times, lower material costs and consistent results.

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valsparauto.com

repeatable results—connecting color performance with labor optimization and delivering on improved process speeds.

That’s what drives us. It’s what Sherwin Williams drives you—and what drives your

sherwin-automotive.com

business.

Delivering On Our Repair Promise Since 1894 sherwin-automotive.com Our mission remains the visit same—deliver on the Sherwin-Williams® repair promise with nothing short of high-performance results-driven coatings and products, and drive our customers business with innovative solutions and programs, superior service and support, technical training and resources, and expert-led business consulting. Demonstratable repeatable results—connecting color performance with labor optimization and delivering on improved process speeds. That’s what drives us. It’s what drives you—and what drives your business.

Car-Part.com

Car-Part.com

Car-Part customers have a wealth of training options available!

Auto recyclers: Car-Part.com regularly hosts free webinars, covering hot topics and new features. You can also find tutorials, guides, and videos 24/7 at Products.Car-Part.com Collision repairers and insurers: Integrated Car Part Pro (iPro) live webinars are regularly available, covering the integrated workflow and part search.

On-demand webinars, guides, and videos are available anytime at CarPartPro.com/Training Training and support is available to all customers via phone or instant messaging (iCPM, iPro, or Live Chat). Request and receive help “on the spot” from experienced support staff throughout your work day.

Autel

autel.com

IA900WA Wheel Alignment & ADAS Calibration The Autel Intelligent ADAS IA900WA Wheel Alignment and ADAS calibration system offers both wheel alignment and ADAS calibration.

Software includes Illustrated alignment instructions, live readings, required tools, and adjustment locations display. Six high-resolution positioning and tracking cameras automatically monitor the vehicle height on a shop lift.

Robotic frame movement allows greater efficient and alignment reading accuracy to 0.02 degrees. Contact your local Autel distributor or sales representative for training information.

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LAST WORD

GO FOR THE

GOLD Put your skills to the test, take a chance on your techs—what are the chances you’ll regret it?

By Allison Rogers A perfectly scored weld from Skills Alberta’s Provincial Competition in April 2022.

A

few months back, I had a conversation with Collision Repair columnist Stefano Liessi. He had phoned me from Skills Alberta’s Provincial Competition, where hundreds of keen students of the skilled trades competed for the chance to be named the best in their field.

Stefano sits on Skills Alberta’s Autobody Repair Committee.

During this particular call, he told me of the passionate young folks putting their skills to the test, adding that one of the participants even snagged a perfect score in the welding section. He explained that Skills Alberta takes its competitions very seriously—they’re as grand as the national comps, he said, especially when the spectators are involved in the action.

As grandiose and inspiring as the provincial competition was, Stefano couldn’t help but mention one thing: the need for more industry support, where Skills Canada is concerned. More specifically, support from the collision centres.

The industry support is there, of course, via facility owners, suppliers, distributors, educators—all verticals are absolutely represented. Those who do the utmost to support efforts in the areas of industry recruitment: we at this magazine know who you are and salute your ever-going efforts. But there is always more that can be done.

As we chatted about the opportunities Skills Canada can provide, Stefano mentioned that an argument presented by shopowners, when faced with an invitation to Skills Canada, is that they cannot bear to lose their technician or painter for a week—perhaps more, if training intensity is considered. There’s too much work to be done, they’ll say—and it can be an understandable argument.

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But have you ever thought about the kind of marketing you can do by telling customers that the best painter in your province works under this roof?

Take Dorien Lozeau’s story, for instance. Featured on the cover of Bodyworx Professional last fall, Dorien now touts not one, but two gold medals from national Skills Canada competitions. The lead painter at CSN Black Ace can casually flaunt the title of Best Painter in Canada, according to Skills Canada standards. We’re not saying he does. Just that he can. And, if you sent your employees to put their skills to the test, maybe someday you could say the best repairer in Canada works for you.

So, tell your employees about skills competitions—they are others apart from Skills Canada, too. INDASA puts painters to the test with Battle of the Boards; FinishMaster hosts painting comps annually, if not more.

If you’re a painter or a technician with piqued interest as you read this—look into some of these contests; tell your peers and superiors. Maybe you can score a sponsorship or, at the very least, a shiny new trophy and title. TD

Allison Rogers is the editor of the Training Directory.

She can be reached at allison@mediamatters.ca.

BECAUSE THE NEXT GENERATION MATTERS FIX AUTO. IT’S A FAMILY THING At Fix Auto, we are committed to helping ensure your hard work can be passed on. Our training, systems, technology and support give your business the tools it needs to stand the test of time.

With over 730 locations in 12 countries, Fix Auto is the world’s largest network of independent repairers.

Contact Daryll O’Keefe at dokeefe@fixnetwork.com or visit fixauto.com/jointhenetwork to find out more.

fixauto.com