General Motors of Canada and its dealers are teaming up to train and hire interest workers impacted by the idling of Oshawa Assembly.

GM Canada says that interested workers can apply to become auto service technicians at GM dealerships.

Additionally, GM Canada will also join with Durham Region educators and federal and provincial governments to train and transition Oshawa Assembly employees to new careers in Durham Region. These efforts aim to help address the significant number of open positions requiring talented workers and could provide a significant benefit to regional employers.

“GM Canada will support Oshawa Assembly workers with the goal of helping impacted workers find good new jobs,” said GM Canada President and Managing Director, Travis Hester. “Our employees have great skills and our dealers have a significant need for auto technicians. Who better than our top-quality assembly workers to service customers’ vehicles at GM dealerships?”

GM Canada says it will work with with Durham College, the University of Ontario Institute of Technology and the provincial and federal governments to help retrain workers. The Company also says it will work closely with Unifor to support employees and manage the transition when changes begin at Oshawa Assembly in 2019.

“I am deeply appreciative of the quick support and leadership from Durham College President, Don Lovisa, our other local educational partners and our provincial and federal governments in offering support to GM employees,” said Hester.

The GM Automotive Service Education Program (ASEP) established and supported by GM Canada’s dealers is available through colleges across Canada to initiate training for interested employees and placing them in dealership jobs as they train.

Earlier this year, GM Canada also committed $1.8 million in support for STEM education across Canada with a focus on inspiring young women and other under-represented groups to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.