Georgian College

Public perception may be that jobs in the automotive industry are diminishing, but students and alumni from Canada's largest automotive program beg to differ. In fact, the Canadian Automotive Institute celebrated its success in February with a rebrand and name change to the Automotive Business School of Canada. "We would like to dispel the myth that automotive jobs are in jeopardy. In fact, our graduate placement rate has been over 90 per cent for the past 27 years," said Jennifer Sheremeto, Marketing Specialist for the school, based at the Barrie Campus since 1985. The Automotive Business program receives tremendous support from the Canadian automotive industry, which provides co-op placements, grad jobs, scholarships and vision through industry partners. Students and alumni were involved with the rebranding process. Georgian partnered with Young and Rubicam (Y & R), the same advertising agency used by a large automotive manufacturer, to create and launch the new brand. Y & R suggested changing the name to Automotive Business School of Canada and establishing it as a business school. This would avoid the confusion that some prospective students may have regarding it being a technical school rather than a business school. The school has produced more than 2,700 graduates who experienced co-ops in the field. It has a creed which exemplifies the dreams and desires of its students, says Dean Dr. Marie- Noelle Bonicalzi. It is a moving testament to their love of everything automotive, she said. One section of the creed that says a great deal about the students is, "Something special propels you…you have gasoline flowing through your veins…in your world, they're not just cars, they're life." Conducting business in the automotive industry has become more sophisticated, which increases demand for multi-skilled personnel. "I chose the school because it offers a chance to be involved in the automotive industry, which is always offering new jobs. It is an industry that will always exist and there are countless opportunities available," said Nicole Simpson, an Automotive Marketing student. gets a new name CanaDian autOMOtivE inStitutE Fi n d o u t m o r e a b o u t t h e s h o w a t w w w . g e o r g i a n c o l l e g e a u t o s h o w . c a SAVE THE DATE The 28th annual Georgian College Auto Show May 31, June 1 and 2 FOR THE DRIVEN. P O W E R E D B Y SAVE THE DATE 26th annual Georgian Golf Classic May 28, 2013 at The Club at Bond Head You could golf with the Canadian collegiate national champion, Colton Kalkanis! More information at: www.georgiangolfclassic.com 34 | GeorgianView 2012/13

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