Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association

Who are they and What do they do?

Industrial Electricians, Machinists, Millwrights and Tool & Die Makers are just some of the skilled trades that fall under the Motive Power and the Industrial Sectors. Many of the employers who hire in these sectors are affiliates of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association, a non-profit association located in Toronto Ontario.

The primary mission of the APMA is to promote the manufacture in Canada of automotive parts, systems, components, materials, tools, equipment and supplies, as well as the provision of services used in the automotive industry. To learn more about the APMA, please visit their website at www.apma.ca.

Membership

The APMA has over 3,000 automotive industry affiliates throughout the world, as well as a considerable Canadian membership. The APMA also forms strategic global alliances with groups within the industry such as the PAC, JAMA, JAPIA in Japan, and the MEMA (Motor & Equipment Manufacturer’s Association) in the U.S.

Facilities, Events & Publications

In addition to hosting an Annual Conference and Exhibition that profiles various parts manufacturers and service companies, the APMA distributes a monthly newsletter, the APMA News, as well as the APMA Industry Outlook and various trade bulletins, surveys and industry studies throughout the year.

Key Initiatives

The APMA is involved in a number of key industry initiatives, including the Canadian Automotive Parts Committee, comprised of parts sector employers, car dealerships, labour/unions, manufacturing, academia and government. At least two of their Working Groups focus on addressing skill shortages, enhancing apprenticeship training programs as well as promoting technical education via coop and highschool applied technology curriculum.

The APMA has also had an important voice in the way changes to the current apprenticeship system have been developed and implemented. One of the important roles the APMA fulfills is consulting its membership on proposed industry changes through surveys, developing positions on issues that reflect industry realities, and keeping its membership abreast of changes in policies and legislation. Representatives of the APMA often meet with senior government officials at the federal and provincial level to make the voice of their industry heard on a variety of issues.

What Do You Need to Know about the Automotive Parts Manufacturing Industry?

Just how big is the Automotive Parts Manufacturing Sector?

• the automotive industry has grown 25% in the last 10 years
• the Canadian automotive parts industry produced more than 33 billion in 1999, up from $12.7 billion in 1991
• global automotive growth is expected to be 25% over the next 10 years
• as of August 2000, the automotive parts manufacturing industry employed about 110,000 people – 95% were in Ontario alone
• 1 in 7 jobs in Canada are related to the automotive industry; 1 in 6 jobs in Ontario
• there are about 400 manufacturing facilities in Canada that manufacture car parts for Ford, Daimler Chrysler, General Motors, Honda and Toyota.

Why is there such strong growth in Canada? Is it likely to continue?

• Parts companies are shouldering more responsibility from the car makers to design parts and/or concepts and use new materials to reduce costs and improve the aesthetics of the vehicles
• New innovations such as the pedal-less clutch, computerized controls, engine performance enhancements and mapping systems are expected to be seen in future automobiles

Growth is likely to continue due to:

• Canada’s close location to the USA
• Low Canadian dollar and a good Canadian economy
• Highly educated workforce
• Technological advances
• Great work ethic
• Globalization of the marketplace
• Expansion and promotion through government initiatives such as Trade missions

What type of careers can you pursue in the Automotive Parts Manufacturing Industry?

Manufacturing facilities in the automotive parts sector use leading-edge, state-of-the-art equipment. Laser welding, hydro-cutting, mechatronics, advanced CNC/CAD/CAM and robotics are commonplace in many parts plants. In addition to operating the equipment and designing the part to be created and the manufacturing process, highly skilled people are needed to install, maintain, fix, program and manage sophisticated equipment in the workplace. Here are just a few of the opportunities that exist in the parts sector:

	CAD operator Electrical Engineer Tool and Die Maker General Machinist Industrial Electrician Machine Operator
Millwright Mould Maker Product Designer QA Technician Purchasing Production Supervisor

Where will the skill trades shortages be in the Automotive Parts Manufacturing industry?

• In the year 2000, 15.8% of skilled trade workers in the automotive parts manufacturing industry are between the ages of 50-59
• The average company that responded to industry surveys will lose between eight and nine skilled trades employees through retirement over the next 3 years. This is an increase of nearly 50% over the numbers reported last year and reflects an aging workforce
• An even greater percentage of smaller companies have deficits of skilled trades employees than the larger companies
• The biggest shortages among the skilled trades employees over the next three years are anticipated to be for industrial electricians, millwrights and tool and die makers.
• Nearly two-thirds of responding companies have attempted to recruit for skilled trades positions in 2000; among these companies, 73.5% were able to fill the needed positions
• 59.6% of respondents reported that they will need to increase skilled trade needs by 1 to 5 people between 2001-2003

What Kind of Training Do You Need?

There are several post-secondary programs that focus on careers in manufacturing. Some are offered in conjunction with apprenticeship training. The key is to find the program that matches your ambitions, area of interest, and expertise. Have a look at the following programs offered at colleges and universities:

College

• Chemical Engineering Technology-Industrial and Environmental
• Mechanical Techniques (Machine Shop)
• Mouldmaking Technician
• Toolmaking Techniques
• Mechanical Engineering
• Millwright
• Industrial Electrician
• Manufacturing Engineering

University:

• Chemical Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Engineering Physics
• Manufacturing Engineering
• Materials Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering