TIGHT FINANCES TURN FOCUS TO VEHICLE MAINTENANCE

THE INCREASED COST of living has put families in tight financial positions and vehicle owners are opting to take better care of their cars by investing in them so they can hang on to them longer, according to a survey from the British Columbia Automobile Association.

Seven in 10 B.C. drivers reported that the high cost of living and economic uncertainty has them keeping their current vehicle for much longer than they planned, according to the survey. Even though money is tight, they’re opting to repair, rather than replace.

In fact, they’re more attuned to maintenance these days. Almost half (49 per cent) admitted to skipping recommended vehicle maintenance and repairs in the past due to costs. But more than four in five (83 per cent) said they can’t risk being without their vehicle as a result of a breakdown.

Furthermore, 93 per cent of respondents agreed it’s worthwhile to get the most out of their vehicle even if they consider it costly to maintain.

B.C. OUTLINES TRADES CERTIFICATION PLANS

BRITISH COLUMBIA ANNOUNCED plans to move forward on certification with a multi-phase approach that will give those in the automotive industry the most time to get certified.

SkilledTradesBC will formally recognize the skills of trades workers, help them get standardized training, earn higher wages and better navigate through the industry’s evolving needs.

In all, 10 trades will be designated for skilled trades certification. The first seven will focus on the electrical and mechanical trades — ranging from commercial electrician to sheet metal worker — while phase two will focus on automotive.

Uncertified trade workers in phase one will be required to register as an apprentice or pass a certification exam before December 1, 2023.

The three automotive trades — heavyduty equipment technician, automotive service technician and auto body and collision technician — will require certification in 2024 under phase two of the plan. No hard deadline has been set