The Manitoba Driver, from Manitoba Public Insurance
April 2008

About 300 words
Autobody, auto repair students tuning up for competition

Trades students from across the province will be showcasing their skills in Winnipeg on April 10, including those specializing in auto service and autobody repair.

Part of the annual Skills Canada Manitoba competition, the gathering showcases talented secondary and post-secondary students in more than 40 different trades and technology events.

Manitoba Public Insurance is a key stakeholder in the autobody repair sector and a longtime industry partner of Skills Manitoba. By sponsoring auto repair competitions and scholarships, the corporation promotes excellence in the sector and encourages young people to pursue careers in the automotive trades.

This year, students outside Winnipeg who are competing in the auto service and autobody repair events come from these schools:

Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School (Brandon)
Dauphin Regional Secondary School
Garden Valley Collegiate (Winkler)
Lord Selkirk Regional School
Minnedosa Collegiate
Morris School
Portage Collegiate Institute (Portage la Prairie)
Roseau Valley School (Dominion City)
Steinbach Regional Secondary School
Swan Valley Regional Secondary School (Swan River)
Virden Collegiate

Manitoba Public Insurance has sponsored the Skills Manitoba Auto Collision Repair Technology competition since 1999 and the Auto Service competition since 2006. The corporation donates a total of $4,000 in scholarships to first-, second- and third-place medalists in each of these categories.

Medalists in the autobody competitions also receive coupons they can redeem for ICAR technical training anywhere in the province. ICAR, which stands for Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair, is an international group that promotes the highest standards in collision repair.

Top performers in the skills competitions have consistently graduated and gone on to jobs within the local automotive repair industry.

To arrange an interview with one of the above competitors, contact Manitoba Public Insurance for the name of the student’s school advisor. Phone Greg Harris, Corporate Communications, at (204) 985-3458. For more information on Skills Manitoba, contact Maria Pacella, Skills Manitoba Executive Director, at (204) 927-0250.

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© 2008 Manitoba Public Insurance

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Photo Courtesy of Skills Canada Manitoba Safety is a top priority every year in the Skills Canada Manitoba competition.