BCIT’s ASTO Co-Op Students Are Available for Hire

In light of labour shortages in the automotive service industry, recruiting co-op students or apprentices who have undergone automotive program training can provide a steady supply of skilled and dedicated workers to maintain smooth operations in the shop.

The British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) offers the Automotive Service Technician and Operations (ASTO) Co-op Program,1 a two-year diploma program that provides in-depth training of all four technical training levels required for Automotive Service Technician certification. In addition to repair and diagnostic training, students are equipped with a fundamental understanding of automotive science and business operations, allowing graduates to pursue various positions throughout the automotive service industry, including technicians, service advising, parts and management.

What is Co-op?1

Co-op is an academic work experience course, where students work within their area of study, using their educational training within an industry setting. Co-op is a partnership between BCIT and the employer, to provide students with meaningful work experience. The ASTO program includes two, co-op work terms where students are embedded within a shop environment, working alongside trained technicians to put their training to good use.

Here are some reasons why you should consider hiring co-op students for your shop:

  • Attract top technicians to your shop before they graduate
  • Fill short-term hiring needs easily and quickly
  • Co-op students are available to work throughout the entire year, contributing to a stable workforce
  • Mentor the next generation of technicians to support their success in the trade
  • Contribute your perspective to ensure the program is responding to industry needs

CO-OP

  • A work experience course students are registered in as a part of their diploma requirements
  • Students are being evaluated on their work performance for grades and BCIT is the student’s SkilledTradesBC sponsor
  • The Co-op team supports automotive employers in hiring, supervising and mentoring BCIT students
  • Students receive more training time at 12 weeks per level
  • Front loads SkilledTradesBC Technical Training in 2 years
  • Students receive health benefits through BCIT

APPRENTICESHIP

  • Students complete work hours independent from BCIT
  • Students are not being evaluated by BCIT on their work
    performance and the employer is the SkilledTradesBC
    sponsor
  • There are no supports with hiring or supervising students
  • Students receive less training time at 7 weeks per level
  • SkilledTradesBC Technical Training is spread out over 4 years
  • Students receive health benefits through the employer

What can ASTO students do?

  • Perform general automotive maintenance
  • Service wheels, brakes, suspension, steering systems
  • Perform basic electrical diagnosis
  • Engage in customer relations and business operations
  • Perform electrical and mechanical: engine, transmission, fuel and emission systems
    service & repair (Co-op 2)

Why hire a Co-op student?

  • Attract top technicians to your shop before they graduate
  • Fill short term hiring needs easily and quickly
  • Co-op students are available to work throughout the entire year, contributing to a stable workforce
  • Mentor the next generation of technicians to support their success in the trade
  • Contribute your perspective to ensure the program is responding to industry needs

Hiring timeline

February/March

  • hiring co-op students for April – September

August/September

  • hiring students for October – March

For more information on hiring BCIT’s ASTO co-op students, please contact the ASTO Co-op Coordinator Jacqueline Craig:
Jacqueline_craig@bcit.ca, 778-928-2627

1Program details provided by the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT)