A New Field: SkillsTrader partners with Nike Canada to run youth flag football camp
Calgary, Alberta — SkillsTrader has scored a touchdown through a new partnership with Nike Canada that will get young people out on the field for a flag football tournament. Seeing a bridge between the physical and team skills that come with playing youth sports and those that can be uncovered in a skilled trade, SkillsTrader […]
Union Upheaval: Jerry Dias retires as Unifor president amid health concerns
Toronto, Ontario — The Canadian auto industry bid farewell to a long-time labour advocate on Wednesday, as Unifor National president Jerry Dias announced his retirement amid ongoing personal health concerns. Unifor’s National Executive Board was contacted by Dias on Friday, informing them of his immediate retirement. He had been on medical leave since Feb. 6. […]
Celebrating Cecile: NAIT Autobody Instructor Cecile Bukmeier wins Skills Alberta award
Edmonton, Alberta — As honours for the women in our lives poured out in recognition of International Women’s Day on Wednesday, join us in congratulating Bodyworx Professional columnist, Cecile Bukmeier, on winning the “Sturdy 30” award from Skills Alberta. Bukmeier is no stranger to blazing trails in the Canadian automotive industry, becoming the Northern Alberta […]
Dealing with Defects: Axalta launches video series on common refinishing challenges
Toronto, Ontario — Do you have burning questions about some of the nitty-gritty details of automotive refinishing, because automotive coatings developer Axalta is aiming to provide some answers, as part of the company’s “Global Paint Defects Series” on Youtube. Axalta’s ongoing online series tackles some of the most common challenges faced by automotive refinishers at […]
Welcome Wagon: Raptors rookie Scottie Barnes launches scholarship with Skilled Trades College of Canada
Toronto, Ontario — A rookie on the Toronto Raptors is doing it all to ingratiate himself to his new Canadian neighbours as the Skilled Trades College of Canada (STC) has launched the “Scottie Barnes Scholarship” for BIPOC students across Canada. The six-foot-nine Florida-born small forward, who has some familial connections in Canada, said he is […]
Partner for Progress: General Motors sponsors Skills Ontario Young Women’s Initiatives program
Toronto, Ontario — Recognizing that it will take all of us to fill the demand for skilled tradespeople in Canada’s automotive industry, General Motors has announced that it will be sponsoring this year’s Young Women’s Initiatives program from Skills Ontario. The Young Women’s Initiatives program provides direct access to various hands-on skilled trades experiences through […]
Palms for Pine: Jamaican body tech crowdfunding tuition for Cambrian welding program
Trelawny, Jamaica — Chasing a dream can take you places you never thought you’d end up; one young auto body tech and painter from Jamaica likely knows that feeling well as Shonalee Johnson calls for public support to help make her way to school in Sudbury, Ont. She told the Jamaica Star that auto body […]
Clean Slate: Ontario launches new one-stop skilled trades platform
Toronto, Ontario — With the unceremonious send-off of the Ontario College of Trades (OCOT) two months in the past, the provincial government has announced that the new Skilled Trades Ontario agency has officially launched. The Ontario government is viewing this new institution as a step toward better aligning the province with a model that addresses […]
In For a Penny: U.S. Department of Labor files complaint against Georgia shop that paid pennies to ex-employee
Peachtree City, Georgia — The tale of a Georgia auto repair technician paid in pennies has drawn the ire of the U.S. Department of Labor, who has launched a suit against A OK Walker Autoworks for discrimination. One may recall reports that circulated in March of a technician who, upon request of his final paycheque […]
Lightweight Learning: Ontario expands online micro-credential training portal
Toronto, Ontario — The credentials may be micro-sized, but the difference they will make on a resume is huge, as the government of Ontario announced a $300,000 investment in the eCampusOntario training portal launched on Wednesday. With several automotive courses already listed by institutions across the province, the eCampusOntario portal attempts to consolidate Ontario-based micro-credential […]
