Education/training
Aspiring mechanic all revved upValerie Kabouris never thought she'd find her calling under the hood of a car. SHARON ASCHAIEK |
|
 [ 2006-09-13 ] |
Valerie Kabouris has come a long way since her training at the Automotive Training Centre (ATC), a post-secondary institution that offers in-depth, hands-on training in a variety of auto-related fields.
She'd always pegged her lifelong fascination with cars as a hobby rather than a vocation. Instead, she figured the drama of the courtroom, of prosecuting criminals and making compelling arguments to judges and juries was more her speed.
But it only took one semester of pre-law at York University to make her realize the truth.
"I was studying political science and I hated it. I couldn't see myself arguing for the rest of my life," says Kabouris, 22. "I dropped out after one semester because I knew working with cars was my calling."
It was a year later, at a car show in the fall of 2004, that she learned how to turn her passion for all things automotive into action. She met someone who'd trained at the Automotive Training Centre (ATC), a post-secondary institution that offers in-depth, hands-on training in a variety of auto-related fields.
"I looked it up on the Internet and knew I had to be there. I dropped everything and went to the ATC," says the Brampton resident.
JOB PLACEMENT SUPPORT
The ATC's eight core programs offer practical, current training as well as job placement support in areas such as service advisor, estimating, sales, detailing and business management. Students enjoy small classrooms, industry-experienced teachers, fully equipped repair facilities, and in some programs, industry practicums.
That December, Kabouris enrolled in the Pre-Apprentice Automotive Technician program, a mechanic training program that teaches students how to inspect, diagnose and repair automobiles using the current tools and methods of the industry.
The 22-week program includes a five-week practicum at a professional automotive facility.
It didn't take long for Kabouris to get her hands dirty. The school's comprehensive facilities featured all the latest repair tools and equipment, including hoists, an engine diagnostic centre and a welding room. Also on hand were several vehicles, allowing her to immediately put her knowledge into practice.
"The facilities are excellent -- they have so many cars available for you to do practical work on and develop your skills," Kab-ouris says.
While she was one of just three women in the class, Kabouris was not intimidated. Her go-getter attitude and her supportive teacher enabled her to become one of the top graduates in her class.
"I didn't know anything going into the school, but my teacher was the reason I kept going. He was in the field for over 40 years and was my mentor -- he kept motivating me," she says.
While working toward establishing her career, Kabouris found an unexpected and exciting outlet for her zest for cars. Last year, Will Castro, host of Unique Whips, a U.S.-based Speed channel reality show about celebrity car customizing, invited Kabouris to join the show after being impressed by a fan letter she'd written.
Kabouris promptly accepted and moved to Long Island, N.Y., where the show is taped, where she was provided free accommodation in her own apartment. For six months she worked on the vehicles of several celebrities, including rappers Busta Rhymes and Tony Yayo, Jason Giambi of the New York Yankees and members of the New York Jets.
Most memorable, she says, was the first car she worked on -- renowned author Tom Wolfe's signature white Cadillac.
MEMORABLE MOMENT
"He wanted a complete overhaul of the interior and wanted it all white on the inside, so we installed white leather seats, white carpets, everything in white," she recalls. "He came right up to me and thanked me for the work I did. He was very impressed -- he said he'd never seen a woman working in a garage before."
Fueled by the high of the TV experience and by her training, Kabouris returned to the ATC this past March to complete its six-week Auto Body Estimator program. Soon she'll return again to take its five-week Service Advisor program.
She's now working on her career main objective -- launching her own auto garage in Etobicoke that will be geared toward women.
To be called Babydollperformance, the shop will aim to make women feel more comfortable with their vehicles and with maintaining them. While running her business, she plans to work toward getting her automotive technician licence by apprenticing under her own mechanics.
"A lot of women are not really interested in their cars, but a car is a dangerous machine, especially if it's not properly maintained," she says. "My ultimate goal is to get them more involved in maintaining their vehicles by sharing information with them and explaining how things work."
Would you ever work for a social or charitable enterprise in the third sector?