Success stories: Avalon
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Success stories: Avalon - Transcript
Avalon Mathias, Journeyperson, Automotive Service Technician.
My name is Avalon Mathias. I did the Automotive Service Technician apprenticeship course at Durham College.
I've been turning wrenches since I was a kid, fixing my mom's car whenever I could. A lot of it was self-taught.
I have just always been fascinated in anything with an engine basically, the amount of complex systems and how everything comes together to make something that can take you anywhere you need to go.
I worked at a few good places throughout my apprenticeship, met some great techs along the way. They would take time out of their day to step aside, help me out with something and teach me. That was really encouraging.
With the apprenticeship grants, it's nice to know that we have the encouragement and support of the government to help to buy tools or whatever we might need for work. It's a big help.
Avalon’s story: Automotive Service Technician
A self-described Volkswagen nut, Avalon has had a fascination with cars for as long as she can remember. So it came as no surprise to her family when she decided to turn her passion into a career and pursue an apprenticeship as an Automotive Service Technician. Paying for school was also easier because she qualified for Government of Canada Apprenticeship Grants, which supplemented tuition and the cost of her tools.
The Apprenticeship Incentive Grant is a grant of $1,000 offered by the Government of Canada to registered apprentices who have completed their first and/or second year or level (or equivalent) of an apprenticeship program in a designated Red Seal trade. Through this grant, apprentices can receive up to $2,000.
Avalon also recently received the 500,000th Apprenticeship Completion Grant worth an additional $2,000 also available to registered apprentices who have completed their apprenticeship training and obtained their journeyperson certification in a designated Red Seal trade. “The biggest advantage to the Canada Apprenticeship Grants is that you don’t rack up a bunch of debt while you’re learning. You get to work full-time towards your career while you’re getting an education.”
Avalon is proud of being a woman in a non-traditional career, and has no issue with the fact that her workplace is male-dominated. “I’d say you have to have a pretty good sense of humour to work with a bunch of guys, but it’s a fun trade. Honestly whether I’m in the classroom or at work I’m not treated any differently from any of the other guy. As long as you show you’re willing to work and willing to get your hands dirty, then you’ll be fine.”
And for more information on the new interest-free Canada Apprentice Loan, as well as Apprentice Incentive and Completion Grants, visit Canada.ca/Apprentice.
Learn more about support for apprentices
Find more videos on the ESDC YouTube about apprenticeship training and skills support from the Government of Canada.
Visit Support for apprentices for information on more programs available to help apprentices complete their training and for employers to hire and train apprentices.
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