Employers

In this section:

• Why Hire an Apprentice - 3 good reasons:
  1. Ensure competent employees
  2. It actually pays
  3. Tax incentives
• Finding an Apprentice
• Role of the Sponsor
• Hiring the Right Person

Why Hire an Apprentice

There are three excellent reasons to hire an apprentice:

Highlighted here are the key findings of the Automotive Labour Supply and Demand Project - Employer Survey Component, initiated by the BC Automotive Sector Council with funding provided by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC). The employer survey and subsequent analysis of the information obtained from this research was completed by R.A. Malatest & Associates Ltd.

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Finding an Apprentice

One of the best methods of finding a suitable apprentice is through the Foundation Programs offered at various post secondary institutions throughout the Province. As described in the Secondary and Post Secondary Programs page, a Foundation Program is a six to eight month program that offers trades training (in this case in the automotive industry) for those who have finished high school.

The advantages of hiring a student from a Foundation Program are numerous. Graduates of these programs have shown initiative and drive to complete a training program at some expense to themselves in both time and money. They are also a jump ahead in getting important technical training in the basics of the industry. This training focuses on workplace safety and basic mechanical tasks that allow the person to operate effectively in an entry level position. Studies have indicated that Foundation Program graduates complete their apprenticeships more often than non-grads.

For information on hiring program graduates, contact the college(s) in your area.

BCIT
Automotive Service Technician Program
Collision Repair Technician Program
Refinishing Tech Program

Camosun College
Automotive Service Technician Program

College of New Caledonia
Automotive Service Technician Program

College of the Rockies
Automotive Service Technician Program

Kwantlen Polytechnic
Automotive Service Technician Program
Parts and Warehousing Program

Northern Lights College
Automotive Service Technician Program

North Island College
Automotive Service Technician Program

Northwest College
Automotive Service Technician Program

Okanagan College
Automotive Service Technician Program
Collision Repair Technician Program

Selkirk College
Automotive Service Technician Program

Thompson Rivers University
Automotive Service Technician Program - Kamloops
Automotive Service Technician Program - Williams Lake

University of the Fraser Valley
Automotive Service Technician Program

Vancouver Community College
Automotive Service Technician Program
Collision Repair Technician Program

Vancouver Island University (Formerly Malaspina College)
Automotive Service Technician Program

Role of Sponsor

In order for an individual to become an apprentice they must have an employer willing to sponsor them. Both the apprentice and the sponsor must register with the Industry Training Authority. It should be noted that a sponsor is not required to sponsor the apprentice for the entire training period. It could be that the initial sponsor does not have the work available that will cover the complete scope of the training in that particular automotive trade.

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Hiring the Right Person

In this time of skilled labour shortages in all trades, it has become clear that one of the best methods of ensuring a business has a sufficient number of competent workers is to support apprenticeship training. This means hiring the right person to sponsor for an apprenticeship.

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