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What is the Aftermarket?
The automotive aftermarket is that part of the automotive industry concerned with the manufacture, remanufacture, distribution, wholesaling, and retailing of all vehicle replacement parts, accessories, tools, equipment, accessories, chemicals and services, except those products that are used as original equipment to manufacture new vehicles.
Any product or service that a vehicle may need after it is assembled by the Original Equipment Manufacturers is an aftermarket product or service. The traditional aftermarket includes independent repair facilities as well as mass merchandiser facilities; it does not include warranty service from an OE dealer.
The automotive aftermarket offers career opportunities in a number of fields from the skilled trades to management positions.
If cars are your passion, no matter what you skill set, the automotive aftermarket industry in Canada has a career to offer you.
Retail sales in the aftermarket are over $18 billion.
The Canadian automotive aftermarket is about the same size as the clothing industry ($15.1 billion), furniture industry ($15.1 billion) and the pharmaceuticals industry ($13.6 billion). Direct employment in the aftermarket totalled 410,700 Canadians in 2009 - the largest segment of the automotive industry as a whole. If the automotive aftermarket industry were considered a distinct industry its employment would rank above Mining and Oil/Gas, Computer & Electronics, Plastics and Rubber Products, Forestry & Logging, Automotive Vehicle Assembly, and Aerospace Manufacturing.
Career Resources
The Road To Opportunities Exciting career opportunities in the automotive aftermarket! AIA has developed a CD-ROM to provide students with an understanding of the opportunities available to them in the automotive aftermarket industry. This explains what we mean by the automotive aftermarket, gives an overview of the size of the industry and also provides a more detailed description of the various sectors including: manufacturing / remanufacturing, warehousing & distribution of vehicle parts, vehicle repair, automotive retailing and vehicle chemicals and products.
Art of Earning CD AIA, the Canadian Collision Industry Forum (CCIF), and I-CAR collaborated to produce "The Art of Earning.” CDROM. This CDROM includes information on training, skills and salaries in the collision repair industry. As well, a visual shop tour, interviews with apprentices, technicians and shop managers and a full 'next steps' section that provides opportunities for learning about the trade.
Automotive Job Posting Board AIA has partnered with Auto-jobs.ca, Canada's automotive staffing solutions.Auto-jobs.ca services and benefits:
Your company’s job offer is posted for a period of 30 days.Your job posting is uploaded to our website upon registration and sent by email to all Auto-Jobs.ca registered job seekers that fit your criteria.You may also post your company logo, at no extra charge, increasing your level of brand awareness on the internet.Start receiving quality candidates by subscribing to our low $269.99 offer now. (AIA members will get a 7% discount on their invoice upon entering their AIA membership number.)
Be highly visible on your industry’s Job Search Website.
Careers in Trades The Skilled Trades offer a career you can build on. A career in the skilled trades gives you Respect - Opportunity - Good Pay and more. To find out about the great opportunities a career in the skilled trades can offer visit www.careersintrades.ca.
Need a Co-op Student?
Canadian Automotive Institute (CAI) students have industry-specific education, and the passion to go along with it!
Interested in hiring a co-op and/or graduate student full-time or even just for the summer? The Canadian Automotive Institute (CAI) can help!
English and French Business Administration, Automotive Marketing (diploma) and the Bachelor of Applied Business in Automotive Management students are available.
Futures 2000: An excellent source of information regarding higher-level automotive-related occupations.
OYAP: Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program: Opens apprenticeship doors for youth (16 years +) who are entering grade 11; the program allows them to work towards a career as a registered apprentice, and eventually a certified skilled worker or journeyperson, all while completing their Ontario Secondary School Diploma.
Skills Connect: Auto Service Sector: This Government of Ontario website shows how Ontario is a leader in the automotive industry, and in 1997 manufactured more light trucks than any other jurisdiction in North America. The sector is undergoing exciting change as consumers demand vehicles that not only provide improved performance and value, but are also more environment friendly.
Apprenticesearch.com - The best place to search opportunities and information about skilled trades
Carsyouth: Information on high school career materials available through the Canadian Aftermarket Repair & Service Council (CARS).
Brochure and request form: For high schools or colleges looking for an industry speaker or career day participants
