Education/training
Auto careers in overdriveAlex Barnier has his work cut out for him. SHARON ASCHAIEK |
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 [ 2006-06-07 ] |
-- Automotive Training Centre
An auto technician at Volvo of Toronto with previous experience working at Volkswagen and BMW dealerships, Barnier is well qualified to work on almost any vehicle. And at a time when mechanics are heavily in demand and employers are willing to pay top dollar to attract and retain talent, he's set to enjoy a long and prosperous career.
"With my experience and training, I can go to any dealership and they will hire me on the spot," says Barnier, 33. "The pay is great -- you can make upwards of $100,000 a year."
Barnier is one of thousands of individuals who are taking advantage of the extensive employment opportunities in Canada's automotive sector. Like other areas of the trades, the automotive industry is also feeling the sting of a severe and ongoing shortage of skilled workers. The Automotive Parts Manufacturing Association forecasts a 42% vacancy rate for skilled trades in that industry by 2007, which equates to nearly 34,000 jobs -- but only 20,000 skilled workers will be available.
These numbers are in line with unsettling trends taking place within the trades at large. In 2003, almost 50% of businesses surveyed by the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses said a shortage of qualified labour was one of the most pressing issues they faced.
Lingering misperceptions about the nature of trades work is one contributing factor. A 2004 Ipsos-Reid poll found that 47% of youth and 41% of parents think skilled trades involve hard, physical labour.
In actuality, the work to be had among 200 different trades varies greatly from position to position, and many trades require the aptitude to work with advanced technology. Furthermore, tradespeople who complete journeyperson certification can enjoy an income that's generally 3% higher than the national average (Statistics Canada 2001), and in some cases, up to 23% above average.
An awareness of the opportunities that awaited him and a strong passion for cars since childhood are what drove Barnier to abandon his job at a rubber plant six years ago and pursue training to become a mechanic. He saw an ad in the paper for the Automotive Training Centre (ATC) in Toronto and after doing some research, decided the school was a good fit.
Barnier enrolled in the Pre-Apprentice Automotive Technician program, a 22-week, industry-recognized program that offers training in inspecting, diagnosing and repairing automobiles using industry tools and technologies.
"The program was very hands on -- they teach you on the cars themselves, not from books, which makes a big difference," he says. "With the knowledge I gained, I was more than ready to start at a dealership or repair shop and do the job properly."
Since launching in 1985, the ATC (www.automotivetraniningcentre.com) has attracted several thousand students to its campuses in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. Its eight core programs offer practical, current training as well as job placement support in all areas automotive, including service advisor, estimating, sales, detailing and business management.
20 STUDENTS PER CLASS
With small classrooms -- up to 20 students per class -- industry-experienced teachers, fully equipped repair facilities and vehicles to work on, and in some programs, industry practicums, the ATC has become a hotspot for aspiring automotive workers, enjoying a 20% increase in enrolment over the last few years.
"We offer practical training in all the essential areas of the automotive industry, so our graduates are well prepared to entire the field," says Felix Charland, director of the Toronto campus. He adds that 85% of graduates obtain work in their field shortly after graduating.
In Barnier's case, that offer of employment came before he even graduated. Oakville Volvo hired him on as an apprentice, and after accumulating enough industry experience, he became a certified technician.
Today Barnier is enjoying working at Volvo Toronto and is pursuing extra training to become a master technician.
"I love my career. I always want to learn more and work on new cars, and in this industry, there's so much opportunity to do what I love."
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