HASAN BOBAT’S JOURNEY INTO THE COLLISION REPAIR INDUSTRY
BY SARAH PERKINS
Our industry often hears about the need to attract fresh talent and market the industry to the next generation of workers. From career fairs to social media campaigns, the focus is frequently on how to introduce young people to the field. What is less often discussed is the real, long-term pay-off of these efforts.
For Hasan Bobat, autobody technician, Vehicle Body Overhaul D.W. Harvey Shop, the decision to join the automotive industry was a result of “the welcoming spirit” of Tropicana Community Services’ Career Expo in 2019.
“When I first began thinking of my career options, I liked the aspect of art and the idea of working with my hands. When I went to Tropicana Community Services’ Career Expo, I was interested in seeing what was available, but didn’t originally expect to get into automotive,” Bobat noted.
“I found Tropicana very engaging and so I decided to embrace the opportunity and follow through. I applied to the Auto Body and Collision Damage Repairer 310B Trade Code Pre-apprenticeship Level 1 training program and was accepted into the spring, 2020 cohort.” As someone who started in the industry during the pandemic, Bobat said persistence is key.
“During the first year of the pandemic, we would do our theory portion online and then have separate times to work on the hands-on aspects. Other challenges that I faced at the time were trying to figure out the bureaucratic side of the industry and balance my work-life schedule around the pay cut I had to take while learning.”
“I worked hard to see the challenges of learning as stepping stones taking me where I wanted to be. It felt like taking steps backwards at the time, but in reality I was actually setting myself up to slingshot ahead. “My biggest achievement has definitely been getting my Red Seal,” Bobat said, proudly showing off the gold and red frame hanging on his wall.
At the beginning of the year, Hasan Bobat also received a Tropicana Community Services Student Success Scholarship at a celebration honouring three classes of now-working apprentices whose original graduation was postponed due to the pandemic.
“I think it’s important for people to know that the trades are hard work and learning a trade is comparable to attending university.” “And, when it comes to automotive repair,” Bobat concluded, “it’s also important for those considering the industry to know that there are so many opportunities. At the end of the day, I think that the industry is fun and getting to do what I do makes me feel accomplished.”
“Hasan’s journey is a shining example of the impact of Tropicana’s Auto Body and Collision Damage Repairer Pre-Apprenticeship program. His hard work, determination and willingness to embrace every opportunity are exactly what this program is about—helping students develop the skills, confidence and industry connections needed to build a successful career.”
– Anthony Grey, President and Chair, Board of Directors, Tropicana Community Services
TROPICANA COMMUNITY SERVICES’ AUTO BODY AND COLLISION DAMAGE REPAIR PRE-APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM
In participating in Tropicana’s program, Hasan Bobat completed:
• Seven weeks of academic upgrading and pre-employment training
• A 2020 Discovery Day Class field trip, including a virtual breakout session hosted by CARSTAR, 3M Canada and AkzoNobel
• An introduction and virtual tour of the AkzoNobel Training Center
• Information sessions on what occurs at the shop level, alongside videos of the entire repair process
• Curriculum on the estimating process
• Curriculum on health and safety within the industry, such as proper mask fit
• 12 weeks technical training at Centennial College, School of Transportation
• 12 weeks of paid work Among other activities and course work.
Paulo Santos, acting Dean, School of Transportation at Centennial College weighed in on what students can expect from an education in the automotive industry as well as what Tropicana has to offer.
“Sixteen years ago, Tropicana set out on a mission to provide students with not just skills, but a passion for the autobody trade and a pathway to a great career in autobody,” Santos said. “They envisioned a program that would not only educate but also inspire individuals, and I am proud to say that Tropicana has exceeded those expectations. Being the first professor at Centennial to teach the very first class and watching this program grow and flourish has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.”
“Right from the get-go,” Santos continued, “Tropicana provides a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity to individuals who want to do something with their lives but don’t have a clear vision of a career or how to get started. I’ve witnessed individuals showing up for school unsure whether autobody is for them. However, as the classes go on and the days pass, you can start to see the sparkle in their eyes, the excitement in their faces and the change in their attitude as well.”
“It’s always a great feeling to see these individuals take the skills you’ve shared with them and watch them excel. The support that Tropicana has from the industry is second to none. These students can be sure of one thing: as long as the attitude, motivation and passion are there, so will the support to provide these individuals with a great career.”
“However, it does not end there, this is just the beginning. Once these individuals successfully graduate from the Tropicana program and are employed and registered as 310B apprentices, they will need to continue their apprenticeship program, working toward their trade license. To do so, students will need to return to Centennial College to complete levels 2 and 3 in a traditional apprenticeship program and fill out their logbook along the way in order to be eligible to write their C of Q exam for their license.”
For more information, check out: https://tropicanacommunity.org/auto-body-collision-damage-repairer-pre-apprenticeship/
