Automotive tech students from 20 Ontario high schools will show their love for automotive technology in a high-octane skills competition at the Canadian International AutoShow on February 14.
The two-member student teams will have 120 minutes to diagnose and repair new Volkswagen Tiguans rigged with identical operating problems by Centennial College's automotive technology instructors.
The students will also shift between five workstations to test their analytical skills in electrical, steering, suspension and brakes, engine measurement and mechanical, and in a new challenge this year, competitors will be tested on a highly realistic engine simulator provided by Electude.
Last year, Ryan Gullage and Michael Lamanna from St. Brother Andre Catholic High School in Markham prevailed and took home the big trophy. Scarborough’s Jean Vanier Catholic Secondary School finished second,thanks to the efforts of students Marc Balagot and Ashton Sawh, while Hayden Bruce and Justin McCollow from Adam Scott Collegiate and Vocational Institute in Peterborough earned third place.
This is the 19th year Centennial College and the Trillium Automobile Dealers Association (TADA) have been running the competition at Toronto's auto show. The secondary school students, all of whom are studying automotive service technology, will be vying for big prizes including tools, textbooks and General Motors vehicles for their school workshops. The top-ranked team will represent TADA at the National Automotive Technology Competition in New York City.
The Toronto Automotive Technology Competition enjoys outstanding support from the industry. Sponsors include: TADA, the Canadian International AutoShow, Volkswagen Canada and Toronto-area VW dealers, General Motors Canada, Snap-On Tools, Consulab, Canadian Tire, Prona Tools, Electude-Argo, Nelson Education, Pearson Education, TecMate and Centennial College.
To view the competition, guests are invited to enter the Front Street doors of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (255 Front St. West) and follow the signs to the competition floor. Entrance is free on February 14.