CSMO INNOVATES TO REVOLUTIONIZE THE MOTOR VEHICLE INDUSTRY

(Article published in L’Automobile Mechanic magazine, December 2023)

By Isabelle Havasy

At the CSMO’s recent Horizon 35 Forum, held at Auberge Godefroy in early November, the Comité sectoriel de la Main-d’œuvre (CSMO) unveiled its brand-new identity.

Innoviste, the new name, symbolizes the vector of the motor vehicle industry. It embodies the spirit of innovation, which calls for breaking new ground and anticipating its rapid evolution. This transformation goes hand in hand with a new sector intervention policy and a campaign to promote the trades.

The CSMO’s 25th anniversary marks a period of maturity, and the portrait of the industry presented at the forum highlights striking data on the pressing need for labour, particularly in the collision repair area. Key fields such as auto mechanics, body and dent repairers, automotive sales and technical advisors, as well as parts clerks have been identified as priorities.

Industry Portrait

In its most recent industry portrait, the CSMO underlined the rising number of job vacancies, declining enrolment in vocational diplomas (DVS) and the need to rapidly update training programs—some of which, such as auto mechanics, date back to 2005—to keep pace with fast-evolving technologies and the shift towards electrification. To help the sector adapt to this reality, the CSMO has drawn up a strategic planning document.

The plan, to be submitted in January 2024, aims to structure the industry, anticipate the impact of electric vehicles (EVs) and tackle the challenge of labour shortages. Dany Caron, president of the Syndicat national des employés de garage and co-chair of the CSMO, insisted on the necessity to shake things up in order to attract young talent and cope with technological and electrical transformations. A bold projection indicates that 30% of the vehicle fleet will be made up of EVs by 2030, hence the urgent need to train a qualified workforce. With nearly 29,000 “generalist” mechanics (according to 2021 data), the Québec industry must quickly address the task of training them.

Study on the Attractiveness of the Sector

A study on the attractiveness of the sector, carried out by Léger Marketing, identified a number of aspects that the industry needs to address, including a lack of awareness of specialized trades, workplaces and wages. The CSMO’s new campaign, broadcast on platforms such as YouTube, is based on these findings. It is designed to go beyond the traditional framework and promote the key assets of the automotive trades. Benefits, flexible schedules and good working conditions are often considered well ahead of salary when making a career choice.

In addition to the presentation of the CSMO’s three-year strategic plan for 2024–2027, the day’s program included speeches, workshops and the participation of selected exhibitors. Innoviste is positioning itself as a key player in shaping the future of Québec’s motor vehicle industry.