| From left: Jeff Norris, Mikhail Karan, and John Norris of CIIA, and Glen Taylor of St. Jean de Brebeuf Catholic Secondary School in Hamilton, Ontario. Taylor noted that the hot rod school bus made an excellent conversation starter. | |
Hamilton, Ontario — December 8, 2014 — What’s the best way to get a positive message about careers in the automotive trades to high school students? Bring an example of the work!
Students in four classes from St. Jean de Brebeuf Catholic Secondary School in Hamilton, Ontario, were excited to see MMC Bus Division’s customized school bus arrive at their east-mountain Hamilton school.
With 20 inch wide tires and rims, cusotm exhaust headers and hood extensions, bubble gum machines instead of seats, and a rear spoiler that lifts up at speed to reveal the amazing sound system, the bus is a tangible example of what a career in skilled trades can lead to and more.
While staff from the CIIA collision repair trade association (Collision Industry Information Assistance) and the Hamilton Industry Education Council were speaking to students on how best to enter motive power apprenticeship, other students were outside admiring the bus both before and during the training sessions.
Over 1700 students viewed the bus in one day, not to mention a number of passing drivers who stopped to take photographs. Apprenticeship-orientation classes were escorted to view the bus.
“When you are bringing the message of automotive apprenticeship and careers, additional visuals showing the products and skills involved in the trade have value,” says John Norris of CIIA. “We explained to young students the value of apprenticeship and why going to the College for the first class intake is so critical. It’s nice to be able to show those results of skills development used in making the bus, while highlighting the additional value in a skilled trades career as a licensed technician. Many students were unaware that while university fees are increasing, college apprenticeship courses are still paid for by the province.”
