ACX is addressing Canada's collision repair talent shortage through its National Apprenticeship Program, which provides apprentices with hands-on mentorship, professional-grade MAC toolboxes valued at $10,000, and a structured three-level education roadmap covering OEM training, paint certification, and welding expertise. This investment strategy allows ACX to build a pipeline of highly skilled technicians while elevating repair standards across the country.
- ACX's National Apprenticeship Program bridges technical college training with real-world shop floor experience through dual mentorship from local collision veterans and corporate leadership.
- Every apprentice receives a professional-grade MAC Toolbox worth approximately $10,000 upon registration, which they keep after successfully completing their trades program and exams.
- The program features a three-level education roadmap: Level 1 covers OEM training and I-CAR Steel Welding; Level 2 advances to MIG Brazing; Level 3 culminates in Aluminum certification and in-person training.
- By removing financial barriers to equipment costs, ACX enables students to focus entirely on developing their collision repair and automotive paint skills from day one.
- This apprenticeship strategy serves as a growth engine for ACX, creating a pipeline of loyal, highly skilled professionals to scale their national network with confidence.
In an industry grappling with a talent shortage, ACX isn’t just participating in the conversation about the next generation of collision professionals, they’re leading it. By making a significant investment in young talent, the company is securing its own growth trajectory while elevating the standard of repair across Canada.
The cornerstone of this strategy is the ACX National Apprenticeship Program. Designed to bridge the gap between technical college and the shop floor, the program offers a dual layer of mentorship. Apprentices benefit from the hands-on guidance of local collision centre veterans and the strategic oversight of the Corporate Leadership team. Perhaps the most striking evidence of ACX’s commitment to developing youth is their approach to tools. Upon registration, every apprentice is equipped with a professional-grade MAC Toolbox valued at approximately $10,000. It isn’t just a loan; once the apprentice successfully completes their trades programs and exams, the toolbox is theirs to keep. By removing the financial barrier of equipment costs, ACX allows body repair and automotive paint students to focus entirely on their craft from day one.
This investment is paired with a tiered education roadmap that ensures ACX shops are staffed by the most qualified technicians in the market:
• Level 1: Focuses on online OEM training, BASF introduction to paint and prep, and the critical I-CAR Steel Welding test.
• Level 2: Advances to online OEM modules, BASF Base Clear Coat training, and I-CAR MIG Brazing.
• Level 3: Culminates in-person OEM training, BASF Colour Adjustment, and the prestigious I-CAR Aluminum certification.
For ACX, this isn’t just philanthropy, it’s a growth engine. By cultivating a pipeline of highly skilled, loyal professionals, they are able to scale their national network with confidence, knowing their quality of repair is backed by the best-trained hands in the business.
Interested in the future of collision repair? Contact [email protected] for more information.
