The ARA has introduced certification programs to raise the level of industry professionalism in the areas of automotive glass, collision repair, automotive recycling, and towing.
With industry consolidation and technological advancement, many challenges exist for independents as they attempt to remain profitable and/or competitive. Additionally, for the automotive glass industry, once technicians have completed their journeyman status there is no formal training or recognition program in place in B.C. to supplement their skills.
The ARA, through its auto glass division, has developed a strategic plan that includes initiatives for the ARA to explore to help entrepreneurs in the sector grow and thrive. One such initiative is the Certified Auto Glass Service Certification program.
A special thanks to our members who continue to support the CAGS program. The ARA truly believes that shops registered in this program want to make a difference, and they are, by helping to set the standard for business professionalism.
Within the glass industry are a diverse group of business. The CAGS program is exploring service offerings that meet the needs of industry, establishes training requirements to advance industry capabilities, and promote value of membership.
A survey of CAGS members, conducted the end of 2021, confirmed support for implementing a training standard, with nearly 80 percent of respondents demonstrating a high degree of support for an ARA glass training matrix. The same survey identified a need for the auto glass division to explore how widespread the use of computerized management systems are in the glass industry, ultimately leading to the implementation of auto glass business performance groups.
Implementing training standards requires the development of a project to analyze current industry programs and explore opportunities with preferred partnerships. Although the ARA has an aggressive timeline, it is anticipated that a training plan can be announced during the auto glass division AGM, June 10, 2022, as part of the ARA Trade Show.