Toronto, Ontario — Tropicana Community Services brought its class of pre-apprenticeship students to AkzoNobel’s headquarters and training centre for a Discovery Day event last Thursday, where they were showed the ins and outs of the trade by professionals from AkzoNobel, CARSTAR, LKQ Canada and 3M.
First up on the agenda was a painting workshop hosted by the experts at AkzoNobel. Here, the students gathered around workstations, watching intently as Dave Woolley explained proper painting techniques.
As 11 o’clock approached, the focus shifted to workplace safety. Representatives from 3M led an interactive session, highlighting the importance of personal protective equipment and safe work practices. The students received free respirator fit tests courtesy of 3M and LKQ Canada.
After lunch, the students received an in-depth look at the latest advancements in automotive technology. The CARSTAR team brought in cutting-edge equipment and walked the students through hands-on demonstrations, sparking their curiosity and imagination.
Collin Welsh from CARSTAR Canada also asked each student what sparked their interest in the collision repair trade, followed by an in depth discussion about the many different career opportunities in the industry.
Furthermore, the CARSTAR team brought in a (VR) painting simulation and walked the students through hands-on demonstrations, sparking their curiosity and imagination. Here, students competed for the best score. The interactive activity allowed them to experience automotive refinishing in a safe, digital environment.
“The responses were very interesting and inspiring,” said Wanja Mann, industry relation sales and marketing associate for Media Matters.
Finally, as the clock struck 3 o’clock, it was time to wrap up the event. The students gathered one last time, sharing their key takeaways and expressing their gratitude to the organizers. With a renewed passion for the industry, they departed with paint suits provided by AkzoNobel, eager to continue exploring the diverse opportunities awaiting them.
Check out more photos from the event below.
Also check out the Tropicana Community Services site to see the company’s community initiatives, services and programming.
