Job Postings Magazine interviewed Jennifer Sheremeto and students Rob Knecht and Nicole Simpson at the Toronto International Auto Show. Follow this link to watch the video!
It was quite the crowd who came out to hear Arlene Dickinson, the CEO of Venture Marketing and one of the judges on Dragon’s Den, speak. She told the group about her life experiences and gave some very important life lessons. She was very open and invited questions at the end. It was an event enjoyed by all! 
Automotive Business School of Canada powered by Georgian College
Public perception may be that jobs in the automotive industry are diminishing, but students in Canada’s largest automotive program beg to differ. In fact, the Canadian Automotive Institute in Barrie recently celebrated its success with a rebrand and name change to the Automotive Business School of Canada.
“We would like to dispel the myth that automotive jobs are in jeopardy. In fact, our graduate placement rate has been over 90 per cent for the past 27 years,” said Jennifer Sheremeto, marketing specialist for the school, based at Georgian College in Barrie, Ontario since 1985.
The new brand was officially launched at the Toronto Auto Show on Feb. 17. The automotive business program receives tremendous support from the Canadian automotive industry, which provides co-op jobs, grad jobs, scholarships and vision through industry partners. Current students and alumni were involved with the rebranding process.
“The rebrand is about better representing students. This new brand illustrates our passion, dedication and drive. We are represented as professional individuals working toward taking over the industry, and that is what we intend to do,” said Nicole Simpson, a second-year Automotive Marketing student on co-op as a marketing and communications assistant in the Automotive Business School of Canada.
“Our school is a group of driven individuals who are going to become the next generation of the automotive industry. There is nothing that we aren’t capable of,” Simpson adds.
Georgian partnered with Young and Rubicam (Y & R), the same advertising agency used by a large automotive manufacturer, to create and launch the new brand. The entire process took place within a year. Y & R suggested changing the name to Automotive Business School of Canada and establishing it as a business school. This would avoid the confusion that some prospective students may have regarding it being a technical school rather than a business school.
“When great organizations come together, great things happen. The Automotive Business School of Canada is grateful to Y & R for its support and partnership,” said Sheremeto. “They are helping us to meet our overall goal of increasing the number of applicants and helping bring negative public perception in line with the reality that the program is in fact strong and our graduates get jobs.”
Although the automotive industry has been challenged from time to time, said Dean Marie-Noëlle Bonicalzi, the program has always had a strong co-op component. The school has produced more than 2,700 graduates who experienced co-ops in the field.
“Since the inception, we always had to explain that we are not a technical school, but a business school for the automotive industry,” said Bonicalzi. “Now our name says what we are all about. We are very pleased with our new motto: Automotive Business School of Canada – For the driven.”
March 9th, 2012, Ottawa – The Automotive Industries Association (AIA) of Canada is pleased to announce the 2011 Arthur Paulin Scholarship winners. Six students were awarded with the Arthur Paulin Scholarship this year, each receiving $700 to pursue their studies in an automotive aftermarket industry related program at a Canadian college or university.
The Arthur Paulin Automotive Aftermarket Scholarship Awards were established in 1986 as a result of the commitment and monetary support of AIA members companies. Interest on the principal in the fund is used to award the minimum of five scholarships each year. The continued support of AIA members and the fundraising efforts of the AIA Divisions have allowed this program to continue to grow and prosper, thereby allowing a large number of deserving students to pursue their automotive studies and for the industry to begin to address its skilled labour shortage.
“We extend our congratulations and sincerest wishes to all recipients,” says AIA President Marc Brazeau. “The parents of these inspiring young adults should be extremely proud!”
The Arthur Paulin Automotive Scholarship Award was named after long time AIA volunteer Arthur Paulin. Arthur served as President of H. Paulin and Company Limited for over 35 years, he became Chairman of the Board in 1990. He was a teacher and mentor to all who knew him.
To view the 2011 Arthur Paulin Scholarship recipients, click here<http://www.aiacanada.com/uploads/2012_WEBSITE/scholarships/2011_AP_recipients.pdf>.
Check out this video of Jakob Cormier, a third year Automotive Management student at the Automotive Business School of Canada. Fleet is a big part of the Automotive Industry and it has many opportunities.
On Nov.15, 150 Georgian College Canadian Automotive Institute students participated in a day of networking, panel discussions, and presentations with industry leaders from the Canadian automotive aftermarket at the Holiday Inn, Barrie. For many students this was their first formal networking opportunity with a very large sector of the automotive industry – the aftermarket. The widespread and diverse aftermarket industry sponsors at the event included; Affinia, Car Quest, Gates, MSC, Dayco, NGK/NTK, NAPA, Tenneco, Blue Streak, Delphi, Federal Mogul, Bosch, Ideal Supply, Mister Transmission, OK Tire, Uni-Select, Petro Canada, Canadian Tire, Valvoline, KalTire, Fram Group, Grote, SS&M, Shell Lubricants, and Wakefield.
The day was not just about networking with industry! For some students there were grades of up to 20% attached to specific projects in the aftermarket industry. As well, three groups of students, chosen by their peers, presented to the audience key topics that are evident in the automotive aftermarket industry. Topics included “Improving Human Resources by Using Social Capital Partners”, “Aftermarket Solutions for Electric Cars”, and “Marketing and Brand Positioning in the Automotive Aftermarket” with a focus on social media networks and the importance of target marketing to women. The top presentation was voted by the audience and the team will present at a large aftermarket industry event in 2012.
The 14 students pictured above with Georgian professor Danica Kelso and AIA Canada President Marc Brazeau received their certificates of completion for the one-day training with industry training leader Bob Greenwood of the Automotive Aftermarket E-Learning Centre. A proud moment for their accomplishments!
Industry support like the one the Canadian Automotive Institute has with AIA Canada is imperative to the success of the Automotive Business diploma and Bachelor of Business Automotive Management degree at Georgian College. The students love the opportunity to network with potential employers and alumni who are so passionate about the industry. And the best part – AIA Canada had a draw for two Apple iPads, and a handful of iPods to deserving students who took part in the day’s events. Now that is a great day at school! For more information on the automotive business programs at Georgian College please visit www.thecai.ca.
2011 Student AFtermarket Day
Every year, the Canadian Automotive Institute pairs up with the Automotive Industries Association of Canada (AIA) to present the Student Aftermarket Day. It’s that time again, and CAI is gearing up for the 2011 Student Aftermarket Day which will be taking place at the Barrie Holiday Inn on November 15. First year CAI students will all be in attendance as part of their Introduction to Aftermarket class, and the event is also open to any automotive students who are interested in a career in the automotive aftermarket industry. Many executives from the biggest companies in the automotive aftermarket will be in attendance, creating a great environment for networking with potential employers. If you’d like more information, please contact John Jackson or Danica Kelso.
John Jackson – jjackson@georgianc.on.ca
Danica Kelso – dkelso@georgianc.on.ca
Student Aftermarket Day
November 15, 2011
9:30 am – 3:00 pm
Holiday Inn
Barrie, Ontario
Students from CAI enjoying the ACE Conference
In April, a group of four students were given a great opportunity to present at the AIA Young Executive Society Conference in Ottawa, which was attended by aftermarket executives, CEOs and AIA members from all across Canada. This 2 day event also included the AIA ACE Conference, the 69th Annual General Meeting and the CEO Roundtable.
Click here to see the Association Highlights newsletter for April 2011.
One of our CAI students, Mike Yarek is off to Haiti on January 30th to volunteer his time with a wonderful organization called Angels for Haiti. Please visit their website link at http://www.angelsforhaiti.org/.
Angels For Haiti Mission Statement
This mission of Angels For Haiti is that future generations of La Vallee de Jacmel and other communities of Haiti inherit an infrastructure, which includes adequate health care access, education and economic development, as well as create a clean environment. To enable young people as well as adults to look toward the future with renewed hope while at the same time developing as integral and responsible members of their families and community.
Let’s help Mike with his efforts of collecting items of need to bring to Haiti. On Monday Jan.17 a box will be placed in the H104 near the front desk to accept donated items. Donated items will be picked up on Jan.26th.
Here is a list of items that would be greatly appreciated for Mike’s trip to Haiti.
Men and woman’s deodorant
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Bars of soap
Shampoo
and of course…. automotive t-shirts, mens and womens small – large :)
Starting September 2011 a NEW 2 year Automotive Business diploma will be offered at the Canadian Automotive Institute.
This new program will offer 2 paid co-op work terms in the automotive industry.
