Youths Graduate with Automotive Service Skills

Windsor resident Terry Drummond has been working around cars since he was six years old, and he always dreamed of becoming an automotive service technician. However, because he did not complete Grade 12, he faced some setbacks.

Mr. Drummond's dream came true when he was accepted as part of the Automotive Service and Repair Youth Apprenticeship Pilot Project this year. The project targeted young people who have had trouble completing the education necessary to successfully enter the workforce.

After five months of on-the-job learning, Mr. Drummond will graduate from the project with a certificate of completion today, Aug. 19, along with five other youths.

"I've been interested in becoming an automotive service technician for as long as I can remember. I have been around cars my whole life," said Mr. Drummond. "My long-term goal is to own a garage with five bays. It will be a full-service automotive and collision repair shop."

The pilot project is a precursor to the Department of Education's youth apprenticeship strategy, called WorKit!, which will launch this fall. The youth apprenticeship strategy promotes careers in the skilled trades by enabling young Nova Scotians to take part in on-the-job training in designated trades and transfer those hours to an apprenticeship training program.

Participants in the pilot project took part in trade-related training including an orientation to the automotive industry and apprenticeship system, industry-certified safety training, automotive occupational profiling, portfolio development, essential skills assessment and a math and English refresher course. They learned the basics of the trade as a group, and then completed work terms in a variety of service and repair facilities, working with mentors in the automotive service technician trade.

Graduates of the project have earned on average 700 hours toward their apprenticeship training program. Apprentices in the automotive service technician trade need to complete 8,000 hours to attain journey person status.

"This is a perfect example of what can be accomplished when government and industry work together," said Education Minister Jamie Muir. "This industry-supported youth apprenticeship program provides on-the-job skills development and then helps young people find employment in their trade. The goal is to help youths find jobs and build our workforce in areas that most need it."

Work placement employers have hired three of the graduates to continue working toward their apprenticeship. Two other graduates plan to continue to work in the automotive industry, and one is registered for the adult learning program at Nova Scotia Community College, with plans to work part-time for an automotive employer.

"Industry mentors and partners play a pivotal role in making this project a reality by providing on-the-job learning in a busy service and repair environment," said Graham Conrad, executive director, Nova Scotia Automotive Human Resource Sector Council. "It's a win-win situation for the employer and the youth apprentice. The employer has a chance to train a potential employee, and the apprentice can build work experience in the automotive industry."

The Automotive Service and Repair Youth Apprenticeship Pilot Project was organized by the Department of Education and the Nova Scotia Automotive Sector Council. Other partners included the Automotive Trades Association of Atlantic Canada, and the Automotive Recyclers Association of Atlantic Canada. The project was funded in part by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada.

Sponsoring employers include Bancroft's Shell Service Station, Canadian Tire (Clayton Park), Canadian Tire (Cole Harbour), Canadian Tire (Dartmouth), Chad Kennedy's Certigard, Chebucto Ford Sales Ltd., Colonial Honda, Heritage Nissan, Larry Hatt's Certigard, Mighty Auto (Coldbrook), MacPhee Pontiac Buick GMC Cadillac, Pro Shine Auto Cleaning and Valley Ford.

The Department of Education's role in apprenticeship training is part of the government's Skills Nova Scotia initiative. That initiative is dedicated to building Nova Scotia's skilled workforce by providing education and training opportunities.

More information about Skills Nova Scotia and copies of the recent annual report and action plan are available on the website at http://skillsnovascotia.ednet.ns.ca .