Released on February 18, 2015
SGI is funding the pilot for a new pre-employment auto body repair program at the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT). The program aims to prepare students for employment opportunities and to increase the number of auto body repair technicians in Saskatchewan.SGI partnered with SIIT, the Saskatchewan Automobile Dealers Association (SADA) and the Saskatchewan Association of Automotive Repairers (SAAR) to develop the new pre-employment auto body repair program for Aboriginal students.
“The program helps address the difficulties SGI and the auto body repair industry are experiencing in recruiting and retaining qualified journeyperson auto body repair technicians,” Minister responsible for SGI Don McMorris said. “This partnership will help attract students to the auto body repair program and ensure there are enough qualified auto body repair technicians in Saskatchewan long term.”
SGI is providing SIIT with almost $80,000 in funding to develop and deliver the program. SGI will also host the first wave of students at its Claims Technical Research facility in Regina, giving them six weeks of hands-on experience. SADA and SAAR provided guidance and expertise for development of the program and will assist graduates with finding employment in the auto body industry.
“We are pleased to offer our students this auto body repair program,” SIIT President and CEO Riel Bellegarde said. “It will provide individuals the necessary knowledge and skills for careers in this high-demand trade, and improve Aboriginal employment rates overall.”
The 10-week program is designed to prepare Aboriginal people who are interested in a career in the auto body repair industry. It includes eight weeks of training and two weeks of direct work experience in an auto body repair shop.
Students will leave the program with some basic hands-on skills and an understanding of job requirements. The course will also teach them the safety and labour standards related to the job.
“Auto dealers in Saskatchewan are affected by the shortage of journeyperson auto body repair technicians as much as everyone else,” SADA Executive Director Susan Buckle said. “This new SIIT program will greatly benefit all Saskatchewan dealers.”
“One of our objectives is to help promote and recruit personnel for the automotive repair industry,” SAAR President Pat Quinney said. “We are excited about this program and the many qualified journeyperson auto body repair technicians who will be joining the workforce.”
Each year, there are more than 200,000 auto damage claims in Saskatchewan.
About SGI
Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) is the province's self-sustaining auto insurance fund. SGI operates 21 claims centres and five salvage centres across Saskatchewan with a head office in Regina. SGI also works with a network of over 400 motor licence issuers across the province. Customers can now do some transactions online. Look for the MySGI link under Online Services on your motor licence issuer's website or SGI's website.
About SIIT
The Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT) is one of Canada’s leading Aboriginal technical training institutes, and is one of four accredited academic and training institutions within the Province of Saskatchewan. SIIT has been delivering training and education programs to Aboriginal adult learners since 1976.
About SADA
The Saskatchewan Automobile Dealers’ Association (SADA) is a non-profit membership organization representing the franchised new car and truck dealers in Saskatchewan. SADA speaks on behalf of Saskatchewan's new car industry to the public, media and government, and deals with the legal, environmental and consumer issues relating primarily to new vehicle sales in Saskatchewan.
About SAAR
The Saskatchewan Association of Automotive Repairers Inc. is a non-profit organization of automotive repairers and associated firms helping promote and develop their industry in all its aspects, while providing quality, affordable service to the motoring public.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Kelley Brinkworth
SGI
Regina
Phone: 306-751-1837
Email: kbrinkworth@sgi.sk.ca
Cell: 306-535-6207
Kim Fraser-Saddleback
Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies
Phone: 306-244-4444
Email: fraserk@siit.sk.ca
Susan Buckle
Saskatchewan Auto Dealers Association
Phone: 306-522-5766
Email: sada@sasktel.net
Bill Ziebart
Saskatchewan Association of Automotive Repairers
Phone: 306-220-5919
Email: dir@s-a-a-r.com