Friday, December 28, 2012

Chrysler Apprenticeship Takes Unique Approach

Imagine attending a unique Chrysler apprenticeship that is actually partnered with Chrysler Canada and provides the highest level of apprenticeship technical training. Such a program exists at Centennial College. Officially known as the Automotive Service Technician Co-op Apprenticeship (partnered with Chrysler Canada Inc.) it has the added value of a college diploma and completion of the entire Ontario apprenticeship in-school curriculum within two years. This provides students with a path to a rewarding career as a top technician, service manager, instructor, manufacturer representative and more. On the other hand, employers also benefit by gaining an upcoming employee who has future management potential.

With the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expecting job growth in Automotive Service Technology to grow by 14 percent from 2006 through 2016, now is a great time to consider applying for the Chrysler apprenticeship. To do so, students are required to have completed at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or General Educational Development (GED) or equivalent. Applicants may also be required to present a resume and transcript for faculty review. In addition, future Chrysler technicians may be required to fill out a questionnaire and attend an interview. English proficiency and satisfactory results in a program admission session will also be considered. Please note that apprentices are currently eligible for up to $4,000 in various grants and tax incentives.

Once accepted, students spend the first eight months of the Chrysler apprenticeship in school. They then spend eight months at a co-op work placement with a Chrysler dealer as a registered apprentice and a final eight months back in school. This alternating schedule allows the Chrysler apprenticeship program to offer a hands-on approach. First, students learn specific skills and gain theoretical knowledge through courses such as Work Place Practice and Procedures, Engine Systems, Drive Train Systems, Suspension/Steering & Brakes, and more. They then apply this knowledge to the eight months with an employer. While working in the field, Chrysler technician students also gain new knowledge. This new knowledge comes in handy when they return to Centennial College to partake in advanced courses such as Diesel, Hybrid and Alternate Fuel Technology; Advanced Electrical and Diagnostics, Drive Train Systems, Electronic Climate Control, Fixed Operations Management and more.

During the time they spend in school, students are based at Ashtonbee Campus, the province's largest transportation training centre. This location is fully equipped and allows Chrysler apprenticeship students to have the advantage of training on automobile assemblies in fully equipped campus automotive labs.
As a result of their Chrysler apprenticeship training, graduates are able to: write vehicle damage repair estimates, repair broken or worn mechanical components, maintain repair and service records; install equipment, components and systems; test vehicles both before and after repair as well as repairing electrical wiring, circuits and fixtures. With electronic systems and computers being integrated into running vehicles, Chrysler technicians from Centennial College also have a broad knowledge of new vehicle technologies.

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