The Honourable Patty Hajdu joins AIA Canada to announce the release of AutoConnex, a ground-breaking labour market intelligence website for the Canadian automotive aftermarket industry

THUNDER BAY, Ontario, Oct. 12, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Automotive Industries Association (AIA) of Canada is pleased to announce today, at a special event hosted at Fountain Tire - Thunder Bay, the official release of AutoConnex, a groundbreaking labour market intelligence website for the automotive aftermarket industry in Canada.

AIA Canada is the national trade association that brings together the entire automotive aftermarket supply and service chain. The aftermarket industry is composed of companies that manufacture, distribute and install automotive replacement parts, accessories, tools, and equipment that a vehicle needs after it is assembled by the original manufacturers.

Funded in part by the Government of Canada's Sectoral Initiatives Program, the AutoConnex website offers a detailed picture of the automotive aftermarket industry in Canada. Users can access salary information for various industry occupations, compare regional job forecasts, read job profiles and access educational resources including a list of trade schools across Canada.

Not only will the website provide pertinent information for industry stakeholders to make informed business decisions, but the tool will also create a bridge between employers, close to 400,000 workers in the industry, post-secondary institutions, students, and job seekers. Those looking for a career in the aftermarket have the ability to view profiles of current industry professionals which will give workers a clear picture of career choices based on pay, required education and more.

“AIA Canada is grateful for the funding provided by Employment and Social Development Canada to implement this game-changing tool for the aftermarket industry. AutoConnex is not just a website. It’s a movement to change the image of the industry. We look forward to diversifying the industry and attracting individuals from all backgrounds to consider a rewarding career in the aftermarket.  As an industry association, we regularly receive requests for information on the labour market from governments, industries and the media. Today, we celebrate the launch of a tool that will play a major role in bridging the current labour gap,” explains Jean-François Champagne, President, AIA Canada.

With AutoConnex, stakeholders now have a more comprehensive understanding of the industry that can be used to make informed decisions when it comes to policy development and strategic hiring to name a few.

“We’re very excited about the ability of AutoConnex to help fill in labour market information gaps for the automotive aftermarket industry. Having this information will help Canadian workers and job seekers find a career path that works for them, while also helping employers identify, diversify and grow their workforce. Working with industries to gain more labour market information helps workers, employers and educators make better decisions informed by good quality data,” explains the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour.

Some quick facts about AutoConnex

About the Automotive Aftermarket Sector
The automotive aftermarket sector in Canada is a $21.6 billion industry that employs more than 398,900 people in every community across the country. The automotive aftermarket sector is made up of companies that manufacture, distribute and install automotive replacement parts, accessories, tools, and equipment.

About AIA Canada
The Automotive Industries Association (AIA) of Canada is the national trade association that brings together the entire automotive aftermarket supply and service chain. AIA’s mandate is to promote, educate and represent members in areas that impact the growth and prosperity of the industry. To learn more, please visit www.aiacanada.com, follow Twitter, or like Facebook.

For more information, please contact:

AIA Canada Communications 1-800-808-2920, ext. 240 communications@aiacanada.com

Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) Media Relations Office 1-819-994-5559