Ottawa, Ontario -- January 27, 2012 --  Shortages in the skilled trades are already having an impact on Canadian employers, issuing an early warning for the demographic crunch expected in the next decade. Construction, mining, energy, manufacturing and service sectors all report real and anticipated shortages that will pose a pan-Canadian challenge to the country’s economy.

 

Addressing the challenge requires both awareness and commitment from stakeholders across Canada, including business, labour, educators and various levels of government. Apprenticeship contributes to solving skills shortages and provides opportunities for knowledge transfer from one generation to the next, while also engaging young people at a time when youth unemployment rates remain high.

 

In preparation for its June 2012 conference, the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum has released a program focused on Apprenticeship: Strategies for Success.  Showcasing the best in apprenticeship training and practices in Canada, the conference is a breeding ground for new ideas, solutions and partnerships. The event will serve as a meeting place for apprenticeship stakeholders concerned about labour shortages among the people who keep Canada and its infrastructure working.

 

The CAF-FCA 2012 Conference is a biennial event that is held in various locations across Canada. This year, the event will be held from June 3-5 in Regina, Saskatchewan.  Presentations will focus on innovation, diversity and engagement. For more information, please visit caf-fca.org/conference.

 

Cortland, New York -- January 18, 2012 -- The Automotive Lift Institute (ALI) has announced the availability of the 2012 edition of its publication, “Vehicle Lifting Points for Frame Engaging Lifts."

 

This updated guide is a quick-reference single-source manual for lifting point information as recommended by the vehicle manufacturers. The 60 page Lifting Point Guide (LP-G) for domestic and imported cars and light trucks uses over 200 undercarriage images to cover the most recent 20 model years.

 

For this new edition, the 2012 model year vehicles were added, some older images were revised, and additional cautionary notes were provided in an effort to clarify pick-up point locations for shop owners, technicians and other LP-Guide users.  The Automotive Lift Institute (ALI) sponsors this Guide annually as an industry service, utilizing data furnished exclusively for ALI by Chek-Chart Products, MOTOR Information Systems. Many proactive companies and franchises now incorporate ALI’s LP-Guide and other safety materials as an integral component of their overall employee safety and training program.

 

The updated guide can be ordered through ALI's website, autolift.org. The website also has other safety materials and standards sponsored by the lift manufacturers who support ALI’s mission of promoting the safe design, construction, installation and use of automotive lift products. 

Quebec City, Quebec -- January 18, 2012 -- The Government of Quebec and CSMO-Auto recently made the agreement to undertake the translation of 10 I-CAR courses. The agreement was signed in mid-November of 2011, between CSMO-Auto, AIA Canada and I-CAR International. Translation of the courses will continue in 2012 and 2013, with the objective of implementing a strategy to translate additional new courses after 2013.