By Mike Davey
Toronto, Ontario — July 19, 2016 — The labour shortage in the collision repair industry is ongoing. Some shop owners have turned to recruiting from other countries, while others concentrate on “growing their own.” In other words, finding young people with talent and enthusiasm and getting them enrolled in an apprenticeship program.
Tropicana Employment Centre’s upcoming Pre-apprenticeship Auto Body Career Fair eliminates the first step, that of finding enthusiastic people interested in an apprenticeship. The Career Fair takes place Wednesday, September 7 and runs from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at 1385 Huntingwood Drive in Scarborough, Ontario.
The pre-apprenticeship program has been running for a number of years and has garnered an excellent reputation within the industry. Many of the program’s graduates are currently working in collision facilities throughout the Greater Toronto Area and beyond.
There is no charge for a shop to reserve a table or spot for a booth. A number of employers have already signed up for this year’s event, but booth space is still available.
Marc Tremblay is the Coordinator of the Pre-apprenticeship Training Program for Tropicana Employment Centre. He says there are a number of benefits to hiring a graduate of the program.
“All of the students at the Career Fair will have successfully completed their level 1 in-class training at Centennial College,” he says. “In addition, each student has a subsidy available to help offset the cost of training.”
Each graduate of the program is also provided with a basic tool kit and safety equipment. Tropicana Employment Centre will give assistant in registering each candidate as an apprentice so body shops can maximize the available apprenticeship tax credits.
The Pre-apprenticeship Auto Body Career Fair is sponsored by 3M, CIIA, I-CAR, Key Colour and Max Auto Supply.
For more information or to book your spot, please contact Marc Tremblay at 647-408-5232 or via email to mtremblay@tropicanaemployment.ca.
