General Motors Technicians Receive Practical Application of All Theory at Centennial College

Did you know that the General Motors Company is an American multinational automotive corporation and the world’s largest automaker, by vehicle unit sales? Furthermore, did you know it employs 202,000 people and does business in 157 countries? As such there was many General Motors technicians who are in charge of writing vehicle damage repair estimates, repairing broken or worn mechanical components, maintaining repair and service records, installing equipment, components and systems; testing vehicles both before and after repair; and repairing electrical wiring, circuits, fixtures, brakes, transmissions, electrical systems, breaks and tires.

In order to learn these skills, General Motors technicians attend post-secondary programs such as Centennial College’s GM technician training, which is officially known as Automotive Service Technician General Motors of Canada ASEP (MAP 32). At this particular program students are exposed to the latest GM vehicle systems, with emphasis on diagnosis and repair following recommended GM service procedures.

Structured into a 64-week program, students of GM technician training spend an even amount of time on campus and with their employer. This makes the undertaking longer than traditional apprenticeships and allows for a more in-depth knowledge of General Motors vehicles and procedures. While attending the in-school portion of the program, future General Motors technicians attend five specific courses: Motor Vehicle Gear Trains, Electrical/Electronics & Fuel Systems, Motor Vehicle Engine Systems, Applied Work Practices and Procedures, and Suspension/Steering and Brakes. Helping them to become comfortable with all aspects of the GM vehicles is Centennial College’s Ashtonbee Campus, which is Canada’s largest transportation training centre. At this facility, future General Motors technicians have the opportunity to use tools that are common in the field and practice on actual GM vehicles. Students enrolled in this GM technician training may be eligible for employment insurance during the in-class training.

Meanwhile, during the time with their employer, General Motors technicians apply their new knowledge, obtain tips from seasoned professionals with years of experience in the field and network. During their employer sessions, students are compensated for their work.

As a program admission requirement, applicants to this GM technician training must be employed as automotive apprentices at a General Motors of Canada dealership. They must also possess at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or a GED or equivalent. Interested parties can apply directly to the College. Acceptance to the GM technician training is based on successful completion of all entry requirements and space is limited. It is worth noting that if students are not currently General Motors employees, they may be selected through an interview process. Once they’ve been accepted, they are required to obtain an employer and register as a MAP apprentice with the Apprenticeship Branch of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.