By Tom Davis
Hamilton, Ontario — October 20, 2017 — Collision Industry Information Assistance (CIIA) has scheduled three classes in November and December to help unlicensed techs successfully complete their provincial trades license exam.
The CIIA regularly runs preparation courses for the Certification of Qualification exams that some technicians – those who have the necessary hours of work experience but no formal education or apprenticeship – have to sit in order to be licensed by the Ontario College of Trades.
“I have been in the trade since I was 15, and now I’m 59. All my records have been lost and I now have to retake the exam to gain certification,” said Bill Matthews, Shop Manager at Performance Collision Grimsby. “I highly recommend these prep courses, there’s often two right answers to many of the questions involved and this course helps to distinguish the correct one. It’s also great for refreshing and triggering your memory on complicated terminologies.”
Julian Kangal, body technician at CSN-Martino Bros Collision, added: “The prep course covers the basis of writing the exam. It was great and it helped me to refresh my mind and go through a lot of the things that I have learned so far in my career. Another great aspect was the opportunity to converse with various people within the industry.”
CIIA announced it will hold three four-full day prep courses in Ottawa, Vaughan and Burlington. The Ottawa course will take place on Saturday November 4, Sunday November 5, Saturday November 11 and Sunday November 12 at 8:30am to 5:00pm at Enterprise Car Rental on Cyrville Road; while the Vaughan course will be held on Saturday November 18, Sunday November 19, Saturday November 25 and Sunday November 26 between 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Carcone’s Auto Recycling on Bloomington Road.
Meanwhile, the Burlington course will be held on Saturday December 2, Sunday December 3, Saturday December 9 and Sunday December 10 between 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Boardroom on Petit Road.
The course costs $1,000 plus HST for non-members and $800 plus HST for members. However, most employers who have employees attending the class are eligible for a two-thirds training fee rebate from the government.
To register, obtain information or receive a no charge Technician Equivalency package, which helps those that have the necessary hours of work experience but no formal apprentice training, contact 1 866 309 4272, info@ciia.com, or visit CIIA’s website at ciia.com.
