This is a story about Ravi*, an energetic and ambitious young man who wanted to learn a trade in the Canadian automotive industry, build a career and get ahead.

The Canadian automotive industry sees young men and women like Ravi every day. And when you look beyond the technical wording of FOCAL’s mandate—to help leaders in the automotive industry recruit and train an evolving workforce, and to provide access to job training and hiring grants—there are some fascinating stories from real people who have been touched by this directive in action. You’ll discover the hands-on reality of taking a talent pool of—often unfocused, but totally teachable—individuals, helping them evolve into professionals. It’s where the promise of the relatively young and untried meets the hands-on performance guidance offered by those whose job it is to help them find their way. It’s an important part of what we do.

Ravi’s story is one we’re proud to share. Particularly so, because his story proves a point:

Attitude is often just as important as aptitude when it comes to success in the skilled trades.

Ravi meets Darin Tucci

Ravi’s first contact with FOCAL was with Darin Tucci, a Regional Coordinator at the Canadian Skills Training and Employment Coalition (CSTEC).

Ravi’s goal was to join the Red Seal Program – a certification initiative that sets common standards to assess the skills of tradespeople across Canada. During the initial discussion, Darin picked up on the fact that Ravi was unsure about which trade he wished to pursue. That’s when Darin got to work.

Darin brought over 25 years of career development experience to Ravi’s challenge. He has successfully placed over 5000 participants/candidates into career positions, so he was able to help Ravi clarify his expectations and guide him in the right direction.

Listen, learn, do: the iMTT way

Darin encouraged Ravi to enter the iMTT (Institute of Machine Tool Technology) and enrol in their CNC machine tool operation and programming course.

Computer Numeric Control (CNC) Machine Tool Operators & Programmers work on CAD/CAM systems and CNC machines to manufacture something as small as a screw that you can’t see with the naked eye to components used to assemble something as large as a spacecraft.

It’s a listen, learn, do, listen, learn, redo environment where the basics were drilled into Ravi, just as they are to all the other trainees in the program, right from the get-go.

Ravi’s tuition was fully paid for, and he was provided with wrap-around support while he attended this 10-month course – at the conclusion of which he graduated with a CNC Programmer Certification. Now equipped with the training and tools he needed, Ravi was ready for take-off.  

An excellent job at Martinrea Hydroform

After graduating from iMTT (April 2022), Ravi was hired by Martinrea Hydroform—a global leader in the design, development and production of lightweight structures and propulsion systems for the Canadian and international automotive industry—as a CNC Operator/Machinist. Just 14 months later, in June 2023, the company promoted Ravi into an apprenticeship and registered/sponsored him as an apprentice. Martinrea identified Ravi as someone they wanted to give this opportunity to as his training and passion for the trade was evident. Now, he’s transitioned well into the role of 430A (Tool & Die) apprentice.

Tool and Die Makers are skilled craftspeople that make, repair, and modify custom-made, prototype, or special tools, dies, jigs, fixtures, and gauges to very specific and precise dimensions.

In addition to a wage subsidy of $4500, the hiring company received another 10k for registering Ravi as an apprentice. 

Ravi is set and on his way

Ravi reports that the training iMTT provided was the key to get him started on his journey. The certification he earned helped get him a good job with a company that was willing to give him a chance. This in turn led them to register him as an apprentice.

Ravi is very happy in his new career and the company is extremely happy with Ravi. This is a win-win story that demonstrates how our programs can come into play to help and support both participants and companies.

Ravi, CSTEC & iMTT

Ravi’s story demonstrates how CSTEC and iMTT collaborate effectively.

• CSTEC’s mission is to work with employers, jobseekers, educators and unions and help them find innovative and successful solutions to training and labour market challenges. Whether it’s job placements, apprenticeships or retraining – CSTEC is building pipelines for tomorrow’s manufacturing workforce today.
• iMTT programs are designed to provide eligible individuals with the practical, hands-on experience they need to become employer ready. iMTT instructors have many years of experience and teach their students the tricks of the trade necessary to get high-paying jobs in big manufacturing industries like automotive, aerospace, tool & die, mould and more.

CSTEC and iMTT are a powerful combination.

Some concluding context

The FOCAL Initiative (Phase II) has embraced, among several of its objectives, a commitment to support the automotive industry in operations, training and filling jobs. Those objectives included initiatives that cover:

• Training and wage subsidies.
• The provision of help to at least 125 employers in auto, auto parts and steel – approximately 60 of which are small and mid-size enterprises (SMEs).
• The training of approximately 550 technical workers and 500 production workers in transition to greening/decarbonization of the economy or to digitization.
• Working to obtain jobs for 360 workers, 50% diversity groups, 100 apprentices.

Ravi’s story is part of that ongoing effort.

Could you benefit from a connection with FOCAL?

There are a lot of individuals like Ravi out there—if you’re one of them, please reach out to the FOCAL team. Becoming an apprentice is a great way to master a specific trade for those interested in using their hands and their minds while enjoying a satisfying, well-paid career. The kind of expertise Ravi acquired is incredibly valuable and you could have the same.

Please contact FOCAL to find out more about how spending time with industry experts who are willing to invest in you and share their knowledge with you will give you the edge you need to succeed in a rapidly expanding Canadian automotive industry – and build a better life. 

The Future of Canadian Automotive Labourforce (FOCAL) Initiative is a collaboration of the Canadian Skills Training and Employment Coalition (CSTEC), the Automotive Policy Research Centre and Prism Economics and Analysis. 

Funded by the Government of Canada, find out more about us on our website and follow us on social media – LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram – and through our newsletter.

*name changed to respect this individual’s privacy