Education/training

Training centre gives grads keys to auto careers

When Krishna Dilkhush immigrated to Canada from India, he was eager to pursue an education that would give him the keys to a rewarding career.

LINDA WHITE -- Special to Sun Media
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Krishna Dilkhush landed a job within a month of graduating from The Automotive Training Centre.

The Automotive Training Centre (ATC) fit the bill perfectly, appealing to his lifelong interest in cars and helping him land a job within a month of graduation.

"I studied to become a fixed operation specialist," says the 25-year-old. The program combines the automotive service consultant, auto body collision estimator, and parts and warehousing programs to provide a complete automotive service education.

"The centre also helped me find a job," Dilkhush says. He's been working as a parts consultant at BMW of Mississauga since January 2008. A typical day involves serving customers, communicating with mechanics, meeting the wholesale needs of repair and collision shops, and inventory management.

His supervisor, Derek Copeland, gives the program two thumbs up. "It gives people like Dilkhush an advantage over just walking through the door without knowing the business of parts," he says.


"A lot of employers are hesitant about hiring someone who hasn't worked in the field ... There are a tremendous amount of components to a car. This program helps someone get their foot in the door."

ATC was established in 1985 in Vancouver. The Toronto campus opened in 1994, followed by the Montreal location in 2004. The campuses combined have graduated more than 6,000 students.

ATC appeals to people who want to gain new skills and get out into the workforce quickly, director Wally Cumberland says.

"In a community college, the same program will take two years to complete. The biggest benefit we offer is that our students will complete most programs in about 22 weeks."

The auto technician program -- which covers everything from oil changes to tire balancing and offers monthly intakes -- and fixed operations programs are both 22 weeks in length. The business management, and sales and leasing programs can be completed in two weeks, while the detailing program is completed over several weekends.

ATC also offers several industry certification programs -- including ozone depletion -- and distance learning programs. Work placements allow students to gain valuable

experience. "All of our instructors have good contacts throughout the GTA," Cumberland says. Many companies hire their placement students upon graduation.

Edward Parnell completed the auto technician program at ATC after immigrating to Toronto from Jamaica. He had worked in maintenance changing oil but wanted to work as a technician.

Shortly after graduation, he landed a job at Peel Truck & Trailer in Mississauga. "I work on transmissions and engines on all kids of vehicles -- trucks, trailers and cars," the 34-year-old says.

His supervisor, Jermaine Johnson, is pleased with Parnell's skills. "He's a well-rounded mechanic," he says.

linda.white@rogers.com



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