BCAA / BCIT / BC Ford Dealers’ Auto Skills Competition

BCAA, BCIT and B.C. Ford Dealers’ are handing high school students the keys to jumpstart their careers in the automotive repair industry as they team up to reward students for their automotive knowledge and technical skills. The competition is especially relevant during a time when more motorists are fixing their older vehicles instead of buying new ones; in hopes their used automobiles will survive the recession.

On May 9, the top 20 high school automotive students from across B.C will meet at BCIT, Burnaby to face off in the 2009 BCAA, BCIT and B.C. Ford Dealers’ Student Auto Skills Competition from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Each two-student team will race the clock to correctly identify and fix intentionally installed “bugs” on identical 2009 Ford Focus vehicles. After properly diagnosing and repairing their vehicle, the team mates must drive their assigned vehicle across the finish line, where the car will be inspected for accuracy and workmanship.

The Student Auto Skills Competition, now in its 19th year includes automotive students from across B.C. – representing schools in Abbotsford, Coquitlam, Delta, Duncan, Langley, Maple Ridge, North Vancouver, Salmon Arm, Surrey and Terrace.

“With so many motorists hanging onto their vehicles longer in this economic climate, it really underscores the need for skilled automotive technicians,” says Student Auto Skills Committee Chair, Allen Holmes.

“Both auto dealers and independent repair shops are seeing drivers willing to shell out for costly, major repairs rather than trade in their used automobiles,” he says. Parts and service departments are expected to see a revenue gain of about three per cent this year, according to forecasts from the U.S. National Automobile Dealers Association. That would be up from 1.8 per cent for the first 11 months of 2008.

The competition also serves as an opportunity to reverse the anachronistic “grease monkey” stereotype often assigned to “mechanics”, now correctly referred to as “automotive technicians”.

“Today’s auto techs are highly trained professionals who rise to the challenge of keeping their customers’ cars running efficiently,” explains Holmes. “Daily work requires tremendous mathematical, logical, electrical, electronic, mechanical and engineering skill. Jobs may involve working on computerized systems, electronics and diagnostic equipment, and trying to keep up with advancements in hybrids and other alternative-fuel vehicles.”

Over $18,000 in prizes and scholarships will be in the cards for competing schools and students. Each student on the top three teams will receive a scholarship to BCIT’s Motive Power Program and an Automotive Retailers Association scholarship to the post secondary institution of their choice. The winning school’s automotive department will also be presented with a Ford Focus courtesy of MSA Ford, Abbotsford and Steve Marshall Ford, Nanaimo.

Each year many of the participants move on to promising careers in the automotive industry as a result of participating in the competition and the scholarships they win. The competition is co-sponsored by BCAA, BCIT and B.C. Ford Dealers and supported by various organizations dedicated to quality auto service.

School	Students
Abbotsford Christian School, Abbotsford Instructor: Gary Verbeek (604) 859-7103	Jonathan Kruk Tim Dyck
Caledonia Senior Secondary, Terrace Instructor: Doug Brewer (250) 635-4568	Brandt Johnson Brandon Martinson
Carson Graham Secondary, North Van Instructor: Mubasher Faruki (604) 903-4859	Robert Curry Carlo Milano
Centennial Secondary, Coquitlam Instructor: Geoff McElgunn (604) 467-3953	Shane MacKenzie Andrew Best
Cowichan Secondary, Duncan Instructor: Ryan Gough (250) 743-7906	Mark Fairhurst Chris Pilkey
Credo Christian High School, Langley Instructor: Vince Vanspronsen (604) 514-0563	Chris Hollaar Cameron Vandergugten
Delta Secondary, Delta Instructor: Casey Mynott (604) 940-2351	Alexander Lee Chris Oakley
Frank Hurt Secondary, Surrey Instructor: Mani Grewal (778) 997-5268	Jesse James Ramsay Ryan Schmidt
Garibaldi Secondary, Maple Ridge Instructor: Tom Wallace (604) 463-6287	Matthew Eskesen Samuel Wood
Salmon Arm Secondary, Salmon Arm Intructor: Gary Lebeter (250) 892-9404	Thomas Arrowsmith Jesse Richardson

Media are invited to the competition on Saturday, May 9 from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at BCIT in Burnaby (NE16, 3700 Willingdon Avenue). If heading east on Canada Way make a right turn onto Carey Avenue / Beta Avenue. Continue down Carey Avenue until you reach a three-way intersection. NE16 is located on the west side of Parking Lot A. Parking is free during BCIT’s Open House.