Canada faces a crunch in skilled trades—and the automotive sector is feeling it hardest. Ford of Canada’s Automotive Career Exploration (ACE) program is tackling that gap head-on by linking students with hands-on training, mentorship and credit toward technician certification.
In this Q&A, Shannon White—National Service Operations Manager and ACE Program Lead—and Robert Fricker—Fixed Operations Manager at Eastgate Ford—walk us through why trades careers are a smart, future-proof choice, how ACE prepares students for electrification and EV tech, and what dealerships need to do to attract and retain the next generation of talent. —Noa Nichol
Shannon White — Ford of Canada / ACE program lead
Why is a program like ACE critical right now for Canada’s automotive sector, and what specific workforce gaps is it designed to close?
There is currently a significant need for automotive technicians in Canada, and the ACE program helps address this gap by raising awareness among students and their parents about careers in the trades. It offers young people the opportunity to build long-term careers with strong growth potential, including pathways into fixed operations management and other roles within dealer operations. Beyond being a short-term co-op, ACE provides a foundation for meaningful, lasting careers. Importantly, the program is available in communities across the country, giving students the freedom to pursue their career wherever they choose to live.
How has ACE evolved to reflect the industry’s shift to electrification and software-driven vehicles — what new skills and coursework are now core to the curriculum?
A key strength of the ACE program is that students receive the same technical training as Ford technicians, giving them a head start in their careers. The program is designed to evolve alongside industry needs, ensuring students always have access to the latest training updates and new courses. Current areas of focus include electrification, module programming, and other advanced technologies that are transforming the automotive sector.
What metrics do you use to measure ACE’s success (enrolment, completion, certification, job placement), and what results have you seen so far?
While ACE metrics are not centrally tracked, dealers use the program to build their own pipeline of qualified candidates, and many have seen strong success stories. For example, an internal podcast recently highlighted technicians who entered through ACE, graduated, and went on to establish long-term careers within dealerships. In some cases, these careers have spanned nearly 20 years, showcasing the program’s lasting impact.
Many young people—and their families—still view trades as a less desirable option. How does ACE tackle stigma and make skilled trades feel like a future-proof, respected career path?
Through ACE, dealers actively engage in outreach with students and schools to demonstrate the career opportunities available in the skilled trades. The program prioritizes high-quality co-op placements where students take on meaningful tasks and gain real insight into the technician role. Today’s technicians are not only hands-on with vehicles but also work with cutting-edge technologies, including electrification, module programming, and features like Ford BlueCruise. This combination makes the role both dynamic and respected, appealing to those who want a future-focused career without being tied to a desk.
Looking ahead to 3–5 years, how will ACE scale or adapt as AI, EV tech and hybrid roles change the demands on technicians?
Technical training remains a top priority for Ford of Canada. Our trainers continuously modernize the curriculum to reflect advancements in areas such as AI, electrification, and hybrid technology. With ACE, students will always have access to the latest training resources, ensuring they remain prepared for the future of automotive service. At the same time, ongoing dealer outreach with school boards helps spread awareness of these rewarding career paths and connects students with opportunities across the country.
Robert Fricker — Eastgate Ford (participating ACE dealer)
From a dealer’s perspective, what attracted you to participate in ACE and how has the program changed your recruitment pipeline?
I saw ACE as an opportunity to connect with schools, attract new people, and promote our dealership. I also wanted to educate students and parents about the fact that being a technician can be a very lucrative career. Since joining the program, we have increased our participation in job fairs to promote ACE and highlight the opportunities it provides.
Walk us through how ACE students experience your dealership — what hands-on training, mentorship and certification steps do they actually complete on-site?
When ACE students are hired, they begin by working alongside experienced technicians until we feel they are ready to take on simple tasks independently. As they progress, we look at enrolling them as apprentices to further their education and eventually help them become licensed technicians.
How many ACE participants have transitioned into paid roles at your shop, and what have you learned about converting a student into a long-term hire?
All ACE students at our dealership begin in high school co-op placements, which are non-paying roles. From there, we assess whether they are the right fit, and if they are, we may offer them a position to continue building their career with us. The students bring a real enthusiasm to the team at the dealership. Building strong relationships with the local area schools is a great way for our store to strengthen our pipeline of loyal, career-minded employees.
With EV and hybrid tech requiring new tooling and diagnostics, what investments did your dealership make to support ACE training, and what ROI have you experienced?
We do not provide tooling or equipment to schools as part of the ACE program. However, within our dealership we have all of the tools and equipment recommended by Ford for working on EVs and hybrid vehicles, which ensures students gain exposure to the latest technologies. Students are learning from Ford trained technicians on the latest in automotive technologies.
Another important investment is the time our technicians and managers dedicate to mentoring – guiding students through tasks, answering their questions, and involving them in the daily work of the shop. While this requires stepping away from regular responsibilities, it pays dividends by helping students build confidence, develop practical skills, and experience a sense of accomplishment.
For our dealership, the benefit is a stronger pipeline of future technicians who already understand our processes and culture, and for us personally, it is rewarding to play a role in launching these young people’s careers and contributing to the future of the automotive workforce.
What feedback have you heard directly from students (or new hires) about the program — did you run taste-tests with different learning styles, and what surprised you most about their readiness for real-world service work?
Students consistently tell us they appreciate being able to take the same training courses as our licensed technicians. When they apply for positions, they highlight the courses they have completed, which gives them a strong head start in their careers.
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