LEADING EDGE LEARNING
The CWB Group has announced an exciting new collaboration alongside Volkswagen Group Canada–a dedicated OEM collision repair training centre to serve Audi and Volkswagen brands. The first-of-its-kind facility will be located at the CWB Group facility in Milton, Ontario. It will showcase an OEM training environment utilizing the latest equipment and developing technician skills in repairing modern vehicles according to factory standards, said the companies. Scott Wideman, collision program manager at Volkswagen Group Canada, told Collision Repair courses could begin as early as November 2022. “The creation of the Canadian Collision Repair Academy is a significant milestone for our market as it represents the first body repair training centre of its kind for any OEMs in Canada. The vision for creating this training centre results from the participation and hard work of numerous stakeholders: Volkswagen Group Canada Inc., the CWB Group, equipment manufacturers and distributors. The facility will allow Volkswagen and Audi to deliver body repair training to support safe and proper repair techniques according to factory guidelines,” said Wideman. “I would like to thank all the stakeholders for making this dream a reality and for their commitment to our shared vision. The opportunities and the potential for the Canadian Collision Repair Academy are tremendous, and I look forward to furthering the training and advancement of the body repair industry, especially as vehicle technology evolves. This will all be made possible through this significant achievement; a body repair training centre developed in Canada for Canadians!”
Volkswagen and the CWB’s joint venture represents the first body repair training centre of its kind for any OEM operating in Canada. Trainees will receive education in Volkswagen and Audi repair methods.
MORE SEATS AT SAIT
The auto body program at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) is among three training institutions in the province due to receive a boost in classroom funding, thanks to a recent investment. In addition to its northern counterpart NAIT, as well as Portage College and its many campuses, SAIT’s auto body technician and automotive service technician programs are due to receive $187,810 of a total $1.37 million investment earmarked for opening up additional seats in classrooms. The Alberta government says this investment comes as part of a three-year plan to inject $15 million into apprenticeship education programs at post-secondary institutions across the province. As part of this round of investment, which the government says will open at least 300 seats in classrooms, NAIT will receive $764,396 for its pipe, electrical and power line training programs, while Portage College will get $421,000 for its steamfitting, pipefitting and heavy equipment mechanics programs.
MORE SEATS AT SAIT
The auto body program at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) is among three training institutions in the province due to receive a boost in classroom funding, thanks to a recent investment. In addition to its northern counterpart NAIT, as well as Portage College and its many campuses, SAIT’s auto body technician and automotive service technician programs are due to receive $187,810 of a total $1.37 million investment earmarked for opening up additional seats in classrooms. The Alberta government says this investment comes as part of a three-year plan to inject $15 million into apprenticeship education programs at post-secondary institutions across the province. As part of this round of investment, which the government says will open at least 300 seats in classrooms, NAIT will receive $764,396 for its pipe, electrical and power line training programs, while Portage College will get $421,000 for its steamfitting, pipefitting and heavy equipment mechanics programs.
BACK TO CLASS
Repairify recently unveiled plans to launch its dedicated training program, the Repairify Institute in 2023, The platform will serve as a technical training program for automotive professionals and will be available in Canada, with a French language stream coming later, said the company. According to a company newsletter, this is the industry’s first course built on adaptive learning, adjusting course material based on the learner’s strengths and weaknesses. Students can attend various academies to learn about various automotive topics or receive certification. The program also features a mentorship support program that tracks progress of newly learned skills and a Proof of Skill concept, where students must demonstrate mastery of the skills they’ve learned to perform safe and proper repairs.The Institute’s physical locations serve as examination and certification hubs for students, and includes classrooms, oral examination areas and shop spaces. The first Center of Excellence, Repairify’s name for these institutions, is slated to open near Dallas in early 2023.
“The Repairify Institute is the embodiment of the Repairify Mission to help automotive repair professionals in their quest to simplify complex repairs,” said Cris Hollingsworth, president of Repairify. “Not only are we enabling this mission with our patented technology, but we also are building curriculum and courses that help technicians achieve and maintain certification in their desired areas of expertise.”
MACH-E MATERIALS, GAB ON GLASS
Ford dropped the third edition of its 2022 “On Target”newsletters in early October, where the legacy OEM offered a reminder to glass repair technicians, clarified some welding details on the Mustang Mach-E SUV and announced the approval of a lift table from Bosch. Ford made a point of opening this issue of its seasonal repair newsletter with a note to glass repair technicians that windshields are for more than to just “keep the rain out,” but are now directly integrated with a vehicle’s electronic and software communications systems, making proper OEM-approved ADAS calibration procedure crucial following any glass repair or replacement. To that end, the automaker is calling on glass technicians who work with Ford vehicles to come on board the Ford Certified Glass Network (FCGN), get themselves equipped with official Ford calibration tools and keep up with their regular over-the-air updates. Ford also reaffirmed its stance on certain repair details concerning the Mustang Mach-E SUV, specifically that the use of heat is still prohibited on bumper beams present in the vehicle. “Bumper beams are typically constructed of highstrength (HS) or stronger-class steel. If the bumper beam shows evidence of a kink or tear it is not repairable and must be replaced. The use of heat to repair these components is not allowed and will result in weakening the component. Minor damage may be corrected through cold straightening only,” read Ford’s newsletter.
