CARS Project a Huge Success!

The Canadian Automotive Repair and Service Council (CARS) is a national leader in innovative Essential Skills programming.  CARS recently completed an Essential Skills research and development project in partnership with TOWES. The project sought to create a locator assessment for oral communication and thinking skills-- the first of its kind in Canada.

This project would not have been possible without the support of over 500 industry workers and apprentices from across Canada who piloted the new tool.  The employers, workers, instructors, and learners who participated gave generously of their time and were instrumental in providing the data required for project evaluation.

“A big thanks goes out to all of the supporting institutions who conducted assessments with their employees and apprenticeship students.” said Kaesy Russnak, Project Coordinator.  “One of the biggest challenges with national research is finding volunteers.  People are busy and their time is valuable-- each participant deserves recognition for their contribution,” added Kaesy.

As an incentive to the volunteers, CARS provided $500 for a grand prize draw.  The winner’s name was drawn in Ottawa this November at the TOWES 4th Annual Distributor Conference by Edward Nasellso, Project Manager with CARS.  Khol Black, a first year Automotive Service Technician apprentice from Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, BC was lucky winner.  “Khol chose to apply the $500 grand prize towards the purchase of new tools,” stated Russnak, “something that will surely serve him well as he completes his training and enters the industry.”

Congratulations once again to Khol and thank-you to everyone who contributed to this project.