Collision repair industry welcomes subsidized staffing project

In response to the collision repair industry’s reported problem of finding qualified staff/apprentices that are both affordable and familiar with their type of work, a new pilot program has been introduced.
The Hamilton District Autobody Repair Association (HARA) in conjunction with Mohawk College and the local apprenticeship office of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities apprenticeship offices recently implemented a pilot program that selects young people who have not finished Grade 12 (the required educational level to start apprenticeship in collision repair) to work with employers on a part time basis in a collision repair shop.
The students, who will receive a wage subsidy, will gain an additional education advantage as they will attend academic upgrading, also on a part-time basis, to meet the requirements they need to become signed as apprentices.
Once their academic upgrading is completed they will be eligible for a $1,000 academic scholarship and the shop owner will be eligible for a $2,000 signing bonus if the young person is hired as an apprentice ($1,000 at signing, $1,000 after 6 months).
The shop owner would then be eligible for a tax credit of up to $5,000 for each of the next three years that the young person is employed. Icing on the cake, the apprentice will be eligible for a tax deduction for the cost of tools and an $800 interest-free loan from the province to offset tool costs.
“This is a great opportunity to take advantage of the reduced risk and reduced costs of hiring a motivated future auto body apprentice just as our busy season starts,” Tony Nigro, owner of Wentworth Collision and president of the collision repair association, says.
If the pilot is successful a similar program may also be offered across the province.
In this subsidized employment pilot project, only 6 shop owners are able to qualify. Interested candidates should call 1-866-309-4272 or info@ciia.com for more information.