Jump Start -- by David Jurcevic

Here's the monthly look at some training, education, job hunting and networking opportunities, along with career-related information from other media:

When someone says they're in the automotive repair industry the first thought that usually jumps to mind is mechanic. While automotive service technicians play a major role in the industry their work is often complemented by collision and frame alignment technicians, automotive parts technicians, upholsterers, auto glaziers and auto body refinishers. These are just a few of the opportunities in the automotive repair industry, which is worth several billion dollars a year.

Entrance into the field can be accomplished relatively easily compared to some other occupations. Any position that involves a vehicle such as delivery driver, lot attendant, or positions that involve minor repair, such as tire repairer, are an excellent way of getting some automotive experience. Opportunities such as these will give you some of the skills necessary to advance in the industry. Other skills an individual would want to possess in order to progress in the automotive repair industry include strong hand eye co-ordination, a mechanical aptitude, physical strength, problem solving abilities and the desire to continuously learn.

Education/Training

An excellent resource to use when looking into the industry is Motive-Action. The program is dedicated, in part, to training and finding youth employment in the automotive industry. The goal of Motive-Action is to upgrade individual employability skills by developing specific occupational abilities and strengthening life management skills.

Motive-Action offers a six-month program that involves 10 weeks of on-site training and 14 weeks of on-the-job work experience. The group size is small, consisting of only seven to nine individuals and new groups start every four weeks. Once the program is complete, Motive-Action assists in finding employment in the trade you're looking for. In addition to running a certified repair business, Motive-Action maintains a vast employer network to aid in job placement.

• Besides Motive-Action, there are a number of educational and training opportunities available in this industry. The most common way to get ahead in automotive repair is apprenticing. This usually involves a combination of education and on-the-job training which lets you earn while you learn. Most apprenticeships last between two to five years, but the jump in pay and experience gained when you're done is definitely worth the effort. Not all of the occupations in the automotive repair industry have any formal schooling attached but there are still several institutions in the province offering a variety of courses.

• Fairview College offers pre-employment certificates and apprenticeship programs in:
-Mechanics
-Parts Technician.

• Lakeland College in Vermilion offers pre-employment and apprenticeship programs in:
-Automotive Service Technician
-Parts Technician.

• Lethbridge Community College offers an Automotive Service Technician certificate.

• Medicine Hat College offers apprenticeship certification as an Automotive Service Technician.

• The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology offers certificates as an Automotive Mechanic and in Auto Body Repair as well as apprenticeship programs in:
-Auto Body Technician
-Automotive Service Technician
-Parts Technician
-Auto Body Refinisher.

• Red Deer College offers an Automotive Service certificate as well as an apprenticeship as an Automotive Service Technician.

• The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology offers a diploma in the field of Automotive Service Technology and a number of general interest auto body courses. SAIT also has apprenticeship programs in the following areas:
-Auto Body Technician (collision, refinishing, and collision and refinishing)
-Automotive Service Technician
-Glazier
-Parts Technician
-Auto Body Finisher.

• Automotive upholsterer training is available on the job.

• Those in high school may also want to consider the Registered Apprentice Program (click on the Employing Tradespeople button). This program allows you to earn school credits, gain work experience and get paid all at the same time. Speak to your school counsellor for more details.

Businesses/Associations

• Motive-Action
• Automotive Service and Repair Association
• Think Trades - Alberta Aboriginal Apprenticeship Project
• Red Seal
• Automotive Industry Information Centre • Arrow Carstar Collision
• Mr. Lube
• De Greeve Auto Upholstery
• Kirkham Automotive - Autopro
• Canadian Collision Industry Forum
• Canadian Automotive Repair and Service
• Automotive Industries Association of Canada
• International Automotive Technicians Network

Job Boards

• Calgary Jobs
• Automotive Jobs
• Job Bank - Human Resources Development Canada
• Monster • Automotive Service and Repair Association

Other Media

If the field of automotive repair sounds interesting to you, one of the places to search for more information is a site put out by the Canadian Automotive Repair and Service Association. Here you can explore what's involved in working in automotive repair and research what sort of position fits your lifestyle best. There's even a 30-second test you can take to help hone in on that perfect career.

Another great resource for research is a Government of Alberta site known as Trade Secrets. The site lists possible apprenticeship programs in the automobile repair industry as well as noting the requirements of a particular program and it can help locate training institutions and schedules.