Good prospects in retail auto industry
One of my goals as president of the Trillium Automobile Dealers Association (TADA) is to promote education and career opportunities in the retail automobile industry.
As past chair of the TADA’s Education Committee, I have had the privilege of participating in the planning and strategizing about many education initiatives to promote our industry to youth and millennials.
A myth persists that we are only about changing tires and selling cars, but our industry is much more than that. With my appearances at industry events, my industry connections and as a Wheels columnist, I am trying to change those outdated stereotypes.
I know those stereotypes exist from comments I hear from customers, people I meet at conferences and those who visit the TADA exhibits at the Canadian International AutoShow in February.
At the 2018 AutoShow, the TADA’s exhibits and interactive displays opened many peoples’ eyes to education and careers that they did not know existed. It is thrilling to see a parent or student discover the wide world of career opportunities and possibilities and get excited about our industry.
The retail automobile industry involves dozens of professions, from administration, accounting and sales, to human resources, marketing and service adviser. The careers available in auto tech include licensed automotive technician (specializing in electrical, diagnostics, communication, engineering of the vehicles, hybrid and hydrogen technology, to name a few), auto body repair technician and auto body refinisher technician.
The fact is, our industry is evolving and needs skilled workers in all areas. More specifically, we need young people and millennials with drive, enthusiasm, new ideas and entrepreneurial spirit.
I know that competition for today’s youth is stiff, and that many industries are vying for the same students that we are trying to attract. However, our message is being heard and it is resonating with the public. We have a great story to tell.
In 2014, the TADA hired a full-time education co-ordinator, Dave Fraser. Since working with the TADA, Dave has developed new relationships with high schools and post-secondary schools across Ontario, and nurtured existing relationships with our partners at Centennial College, the Automotive Business School of Canada at Georgian College in Barrie, Conestoga College, Algonquin College and Durham College.
Dave liaisons with school boards across the province, meeting with faculty and students to discuss the employment needs of TADA’s 1,100 member dealers. He also attends job fairs across Ontario and advises dealerships about how to connect with students.
In addition to forming closer ties with post-secondary schools, the TADA continues to develop its popular website (carsandjobs.com), which is a tremendous resource for job seekers and an information hub for automotive education and careers.
Carandjobs.com features hundreds of job listings and resumes on file, and a list of Ontario colleges that offer automotive programs. Under the Career Corner link, you will find information about automotive scholarships, co-op education and apprenticeships.
If you are a parent or caregiver of a student, a student attending high school or someone working in an industry that does not excite you, I urge you to explore the retail automotive industry.
Our industry is brimming with career opportunities and has immediate openings for anyone with a wide range of skill sets. In my career, I`have known countless individuals who have enjoyed outstanding careers in the automobile industry based on their talents, hard work and dedication — salespeople who became sales managers and dealer princi- pals; service advisers who became service managers and fixed operations managers.
If you have not considered our industry, take a look. You just might reconsider!
For more information about education and career opportunities in the retail auto industry, visit carsandjobs.com or contact Dave Fraser at dafef@tada.ca.
This column represents the views and values of the TADA. Write to president@tada.ca or go to tada.ca.
A myth persists that we are only about changing tires and selling cars, but our industry is much more than that