General Motors Technicians Receive Practical Application of All Theory at Centennial College
Did you know that the General Motors Company is an
American multinational automotive corporation and the world’s largest
automaker, by vehicle unit sales? Furthermore, did you know it employs 202,000
people and does business in 157 countries? As such there was many General Motors technicians who are in charge of writing vehicle damage repair estimates, repairing
broken or worn mechanical components, maintaining repair and service records,
installing equipment, components and systems; testing vehicles both before and
after repair; and repairing electrical wiring, circuits, fixtures, brakes,
transmissions, electrical systems, breaks and tires.
In order to learn these
skills, General Motors technicians attend post-secondary programs such as
Centennial College’s GM technician training, which is officially known as Automotive Service Technician
General Motors of Canada ASEP (MAP 32). At this particular program students are exposed to the latest GM vehicle systems,
with emphasis on diagnosis and repair following recommended GM service
procedures.
Structured into a 64-week
program, students of GM technician training spend an
even amount of time on campus and with their employer. This makes the
undertaking longer than
traditional apprenticeships and allows for a more in-depth knowledge of General
Motors vehicles and procedures. While attending the in-school portion of the
program, future General Motors technicians attend five specific courses: Motor
Vehicle Gear Trains, Electrical/Electronics & Fuel Systems, Motor Vehicle
Engine Systems, Applied Work Practices and Procedures, and Suspension/Steering
and Brakes. Helping
them to become comfortable with all aspects of the GM vehicles is Centennial
College’s Ashtonbee Campus, which is Canada’s largest transportation training
centre. At this facility, future General Motors technicians have the
opportunity to use tools that are common in the field and practice on actual GM vehicles. Students enrolled in this GM
technician training may be eligible for employment insurance during the
in-class training.
Meanwhile, during the
time with their employer, General Motors
technicians apply their new knowledge;
obtain tips from seasoned professionals with years of experience in the field
and network. During their employer sessions, students are compensated for their
work.
As a program admission
requirement, applicants to this GM technician training must be employed as
automotive apprentices at a General Motors of Canada dealership. They must also
possess at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma
or a GED or equivalent. Interested parties can apply directly to the College.
Acceptance to the GM technician training is based on successful completion of
all entry requirements and space is limited. It is worth noting that if students
are not currently General Motors employees, they may be selected through an
interview process. Once they’ve been accepted, they are required to obtain an
employer and register as a MAP apprentice with the Apprenticeship Branch of the
Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.