TRAINING B.C.’S AUTO INDUSTRY WORKERS OF TOMORROW TODAY
New car dealers foundation awards grants to students for skills training in sector
With high school and post-secondary students back in the classroom, the inevitable discussion turns to potential career choices and opportunities.
In many sectors — particularly the automotive industry — a skills shortage is looming. And while that poses a challenge, it also presents an opportunity for young men and women who may pursue any host of vocations, including mechanics, service technicians, human resources, office administration, marketing, sales and finance.
At present, the province’s new car dealerships employ more than 30,000 in 55 communities and represent more than 370 dealers. However, it’s estimated that 47 per cent of the automotive industry will retire before the end of the decade. Over the next 10 years, the industry will need at least 20,000 new hires to fill job openings as baby boomers start leaving the workforce.
The industry has long been the domain of men, but that is changing. There is still a long way to go to achieve a better balance, but our association is certainly pleased to see more women entering the profession than ever before. For the last few years, our sector has been exploring and establishing new initiatives to reach young, job seeking men and women — and raise awareness about the careers offered in the industry. We’ve been active in education and career fairs and present with display booths at the Vancouver International Auto Show.
In addition to outreach activity, the Canadian Auto Dealer Association has a strategy in place to recruit young men and women for industry opportunities, across the country. The initiative seeks to draw in more qualified and diverse people by elevating the auto retail industry and positioning it as a more exciting and rewarding place to work (visit auto career start. com for more info).
With an unprecedented number of available job positions in the coming years, we want young people to know not only about opportunities but also the resources and educational pathways available to help them. For example, the New Car Dealers Foundation of B.C. awards Car Career BC Education Grants to eligible students in the province who wish to pursue a course of post-secondary education or training leading to a career in the automotive industry. Information about the process is can be found at newcardealersfoundation.ca.
In 2017, the foundation provided more than $44,000 in education grants to students pursuing careers in the automotive industry. Grants range in value from $500 to $2,500 and are provided as tuition credits to eligible students in B.C. who wish to pursue post-secondary education or training leading to a career in the automotive industry.
So, when the inevitable discussion turns to career options, consider a sector that is the backbone of the provincial economy, integral to other job creating industries, and provides well-paying, skilled jobs offering very competitive benefits and job security that need to be filled by great people.