Toronto, Ontario — Albertan autobody extraordinaire Cecile Bukmeier says she plans to strengthen student-industry connections while promoting diversity in trades, as she heads into her three-year term as the new chair of NAIT’s autobody program.
“I’ve worked at NAIT for six years now, starting out as an autobody instructor in 2016,” Bukmeier told Collision Repair over the phone on Thursday.
“I’ve always really had a passion for autobody and getting the opportunity to share that with students is really exciting.”
As her proficiency in teaching modern body repair practices to students developed over the years, so too did Bukmeier’s passion for engaging with those who will become the future leaders of the industry.
“I think in the time I have worked at NAIT, I have come to realize that I really enjoy helping people excel,” she said.
Having built up such a strong reputation for herself in the Canadian collision repair sector over the years, Bukmeier began finding more and more opportunities to affect change in the industry being presented to her.
“In the interim chair position, I got to dip my toes in a little bit and see NAIT from a leadership role. I was still connecting with students, but I was also helping the program and its instructors expand their knowledge.”
Now, having applied for and successfully earned the top spot in NAIT’s autobody department, Bukmeier has her focus on building bridges between her students and the wider repair industry that exists beyond NAIT’s doors, as well as on promoting trades to younger students, as well as populations that are traditionally underrepresented in the trades, like women.
“I want to promote the trade heavily to youth and women. I want to bring diversity into the program and build really strong industry connections,” she said.
“Autobody is such a huge trade and I want everyone to be included in our classrooms. With the support of the instructors and everyone at NAIT and in the industry, I’m hoping that we can make it happen.”
Bukmeier will serve as chair of the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology’s autobody program for a three-year term.
