The Automotive Industries Association of Canada (AIA Canada), in partnership with the Government of Ontario, St. Lawrence College, Conestoga College, Fanshawe College and Plug ‘N Drive, has announced a new auto care industry training program to help address the industry’s workforce development challenges.

Made possible through round three of the Ontario Government’s Skills Development Fund, this project will build on the success of round two and has been expanded to include new partners, new training locations and a new curriculum.

The goal of the project is to address two challenges facing Ontario’s auto care industry: a shortage of automotive tradespeople and the need for automotive tradespeople to be upskilled so that they can service modern cars, including electric vehicles (EV).

The skills shortage is a consequence of modern vehicle technology changing the cars that we drive. To diagnose and repair modern cars, automotive tradespeople working at independent auto care shops need new skills.

The labour shortage is a result of several factors, including the stigma associated with a career in the automotive trades. 

“Getting working automotive tradespeople the skills that they need and getting more people into the automotive trades is essential,” said Jean-François Champagne, AIA Canada President.

“Without it, car owners across Ontario, particularly those in small and remote communities, will have less access to, and will pay more for, essential auto care.”

The project will consist of the development and delivery of two training programs. The first is an EV, hybrid, and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems Technologies (ADAS) training program. The module-based program will provide employers with free training in modern vehicle technologies that they can offer their workers. It is also open to high-level apprentices, the industry’s future workforce.

The second is an exploration of the automotive trades training program, which is open to job seekers without cost, and breaks the stigma by exposing participants to how technology has changed the type of work that automotive tradespeople do. Upon completion, participants are well-positioned to find an employer sponsor to pursue an apprenticeship.

“Careers in the auto sector are meaningful, well-paying, and for many people, offer a path to a better life,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.

“Our government will continue to invest in innovative training programs that help people gain the skills they need to land life-changing jobs so they can earn bigger paycheques for themselves and their families.”

Automotive tradespeople that work in the auto care industry provide Ontarians with essential vehicle repair and maintenance services that keep Ontario’s more than 9 million vehicles in road-safe condition.

About the Innovation in Automotive Training program

The Innovation in Automotive Training program is an Employment Ontario program that is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario. It is run by a partnership between the Automotive Industries Association of Canada (AIA Canada), St. Lawrence College, Conestoga College, Fanshawe College and Plug ‘N Drive, to offer two complimentary training programs to develop new expertise and skills in the auto care industry.

For more information about the program, visit ev-training.ca.