Why don’t you stay a while?
BY ALLISON ROGERS
With the pandemic came a new way of training. Now that we’re 18 months into this new world of learning—much of which is digitally-driven, I might add—the members of Canada’s automotive aftermarket are faced with a whole new way to approach skilled trades education. Whether you’re a budding apprentice or a technician touting 45+ years of experience, you have something to learn in this so-called new normal.
Canada’s apprenticeship programs have evidently taken a hit amid the pandemic. Cancelled work placements have led to disruptions to on-the-job learning—in some cases, full stops. Unanticipated shifts toward online learning or mixed methods presented a whole new learning curve. And, for apprentices that were the very last lines of their education, the pandemic presented a whole new hiring landscape. Transformation is not a new concept to the Canadian collision repair sector; even pre-pandemic, rapid change was a constant for businessowners, technicians, painters and jobbers alike. According to Michael Macaluso, executive vice president of paint, collision and glass for Driven Brands, the collision industry has experienced more change in the last five years than it did in the previous 20 years combined. In other words: 21st century challenges require talented tradespeople with 21st century skills.
The good news? If you’re in the collision industry, you are in the perfect position. Heck, even if you’re not, collision repair presents an endlessly interesting and The opportunities available to you are endless, should you carry the right credentials.
According to Michael Macaluso, executive vice president of paint, collision and glass for Driven Brands, the collision industry has experienced more change in the last five years than it did in the previous 20 years combined. Alongside that information comes the understanding that, as we adapt to 21st century challenges, we require tradespeople with 21st century skills.
So what are you waiting for? There are training programs running every single day; courses you can easily find government funding or other cash opportunities. The automotive aftermarket is your oyster— go out and find the pearl you’ll call your specialty
