The Need:
During a 2005 sector study that investigated recruitment and retention issues that have an impact on the Canadian motive power repair and service sector, The Canadian Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) found that:
· internationally trained workers experience several challenges in becoming integrated into the motive power repair and service workforce
· A high proportion (80%) of automotive service technicians entering Canada in 2001 were not working in this occupation six months after their arrival.
· Fewer and fewer immigrants arriving in Canada are in the occupation of motor vehicle mechanic, technician, and mechanical repairer (NOC 7321) or motor vehicle body repairer (NOC 7322).
The CARS Internationally Trained Workers Project:
CARS is pleased to announce a new research initiative addressing industry integration issues faced by Internationally Trained Workers. This project builds on a recommendation from 2005 sector study report, entitled The Road Ahead: Human Resource and Training Challenges in the Motive Power Repair and Service Sector, that calls for the assessment of the potential for improved recruitment/retention of other labour pools, including internationally trained workers and aboriginals.
The objective of the CARS Internationally Trained Workers Project, made possible through funding from the Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, Foreign Credential Recognition Program, is to identify:
· potential information gaps in regard to the employment of internationally trained workers in the motive power repair and service industry;
· skills assessment and recognition initiatives;
· tools/processes to facilitate the successful integration of internationally trained workers into the industry; and,
· initiatives the CARS Council could implement if appropriate.
Your input:
Between now and March 31, 2007 CARS will seek input from immigrants who:
· are currently working in the industry,
· who identified themselves as either automotive repair and service technicians (NOC 7321), motor vehicle body repairers (NOC 7322) or motorcycle and other related mechanics (NOC 7334) and stayed in the sector workforce for a short time or did not join the sector workforce at all.
If you fall into one of these categories and would be willing to participate in interviews or focus groups on this important topic, we would appreciate hearing from you. Also, if you know of other people we should include in our research in order to get the best information as possible, please let us know.
The Canadian Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) Council
The Canadian Automotive Repair and Service Council (CARS) helps build and support successful businesses in the Canadian motive power repair and service industry by addressing the human resource training development needs, identified through comprehensive stakeholder research. CARS is a national not-for-profit sector council, providing human resource and training tools that are convenient, accessible and custom-designed for the industry. CARS enables employers and professionals to access best-practices, obtain the latest skills, and learn all about the latest technologies and trends.
For more information on the CARS initiatives CARS Council go to: www.cars-council.ca
For information on the project, or for information on how you can get involved and participate in this interesting research initiative, please contact:
For more information on CARS, contact:
Angela Splinter Jennifer Steeves
Project Manager CARS Executive Director
Phone: (613) 798-0500 Phone: (613) 798-0500
Email: Email: