By Tom Davis
Edmonton, Alberta — October 17, 2017 —The CCIF Skills Program has announced it will rebrand to the “Skills Canada Collision Repair Program” in 2018, and will add a new component to the 2018 Skills Canada National Competition – the Skills Canada Automotive Technology Summit.
Since 2008, the collision repair industry has been working with Skills Canada to support and retain students and apprentices who are pursuing careers in collision repair, as well as attracting new talent by showcasing career opportunities within the industry at skills competitions.
The program also represents the industry at competitions and career events with a Virtual Paint System, and provides educational and training opportunities to skills competitors. The program continues to evolve and expand each year, resulting in a long history of success stories where competitors remain in the industry and become technicians, suppliers, college instructors, and volunteers with Skills Canada.
Leanne Jefferies, director of the program, said: “Skills Canada represents over 43 different skills trades across the country. The rebrand of our program better aligns the collision industry with other Skills Canada industry initiatives. Thanks to the many sponsors who support Skills Canada, collision industry events will continue to help showcase the best of our industry’s talents.”
“The addition of the Skills Canada Automotive Technology Summit to the National Skills Competition will help bring the industry together; to see the National Skills Competition in action; to allow vehicle manufacturers to share information on current and future-model vehicle construction; and highlight the need for vehicle repairs to be completed to OEM specifications,” Jefferies adds.
A statement said the Skills Canada Automotive Technology Summit will provide the “ideal setting” for industry reps, educators, students and interested parties to meet with vehicle manufacturers and learn how the collision repair industry is rapidly changing in response to evolving vehicle design, construction methods and advanced materials, as well as technology integration.
The vehicle manufacturer presentations will be followed by light refreshments and a tour of the Skills Canada National Competition to showcase the work of students and apprentices in the sector.
More information about the Skills Canada National Competition and Automotive Technology Summit which takes place on June 5, 2018, in Edmonton can be found on the Skills Canada website at skillscompetencescanada.com/en/crp.
