First apprenticeship fair of 2019 held by the AIA Canada Quebec Division

The Automotive Industry Association of Canada’s (AIA Canada) Quebec Division held their first apprentice fair of 2019, on February 28, at the l’Argile Training Centre in Joliette.

These events are meant to introduce graduating automotive service students to the aftermarket industry and to offer them an opportunity to meet owners and managers of service shop in the region who would be able to take them on as trainees.

Canadian Tire, Del Vasto Group, Groupe Monaco and Uni-Select were all represented at the event in Joliette. The apprentice fair helped 39 graduates in their search to find a workshop to complete the three week end-of-studies internship needed to obtain their DEP (diplôme d’études professionnelles) degrees

The event was organized by Mr. Patrick Saint-Pierre, President of AIA Canada’s Quebec Division, with the help of Gabriel Fournier, l’Argile Training Center Director, Luc Leclerc and Dominic Joly, teachers in automobile mechanics, and Élisabeth Lambert of Joliette Auto Parts.

Shop owners and managers were given the opportunity to introduce their business and needs to the graduates. They were then able to meet for one-on-one interviews with the students.

The industry representatives at the event were impressed by the quality of the group of graduates, who were well prepared and professional—many already with well-established aftermarket career plans.

It is clear that there is a new generation interested in careers as service professionals. It is up to the industry to welcome them and support them in their professional development through mentorship programs such as this.