Fix Network hosted the graduating class of pre-apprenticeship body technicians from Tropicana Community Services for their first-ever Fix Network Trades Experience Day, at Fix Network’s Milton facility in Ontario.
The event, “Trades Experience Day”, was part of Fix Network’s mission to promote the aftermarket industry among the new generation of students and was organized in association with Tropicana Community Services.
The event also featured guest speakers Holly Barsoum from Skills Ontario and Manish Gupta from 3M, who shared various perspectives about the aftermarket industry.
Young talents
Daryll O’Keefe, Regional Vice President – Ontario, Fix Network, says that attracting a mix of young talent and experienced personnel is critical to the aftermarket industry’s long-term growth.
“We are always looking for talented people who want to shape their future in various aftermarket trades and Fix Network is recognized as a key enabler of that trend,” he points out.
“Organizations such as Skills Ontario and Tropicana Community Services are playing an important role giving Ontarians the meaningful training and job placements that they need to ensure stable, good-paying careers in skilled trades. Partnering with such respected institutions allows us to identify and train the next generation of talented professionals as our industry looks for opportunities to overcome skilled labour shortages,” O’Keefe adds.
The students interacted with Fix Network’s senior leadership and trainers at the organization’s Milton Training Centre, learning first-hand about modern collision repair technologies as they prepare for a future in the aftermarket industry.
Students experienced on-the-job training and mentoring in safe workshop environments, featuring :
- Dent repair
- Vehicle diagnostics
- Paint booth
- Vacuum sanding
- Welding
The students have graduated from Tropicana’s Auto Body and Collision Damage Repairer pre-apprenticeship program, among the non-profit organization’s various initiatives to prepare participants for employment opportunities.
The six-month, tuition-free program is funded by the Government of Ontario and designed as a stepping-stone towards finding a full apprenticeship for its participants.
A high demand
Skilled auto technicians are in high demand across Canada.
Raymund Guiste, Executive Director of Tropicana Community Services, believes pre-apprenticeship training programs could offer an attractive pathway to young people to a successful and rewarding career.
“Engaging the next generation of Canadians is absolutely critical for the aftermarket industry and the economy while keeping unemployment rates down,” Raymund says.
“We work closely with potential employers and workshop owners to identify current skill gaps and deploy effective programs addressing the labour shortages in various industries.”
