News Article

Growing up, John Herlidan spent a lot of time with his mechanic father in the garage, so it was no surprise when John decided to take a trade that allowed him to work with his hands. From the time he was a kid, he says he could always be found working “hands on” – from mechanics, to construction and snow clearing; John’s interests centred around working in the trades.
 
When he entered College of the North Atlantic’s (CNA) Motor Vehicle Body Repairer (Metal and Paint) program in 1999, his only experience was from what he had gleaned from his father’s employees at the garage.
 
“I always had an interest in cars and figured that interest would mean I would enjoy it (Motor Vehicle Body Repairer) for a long time as a career,” said the 32-year-old Lord’s Cove native.
 
“In my father’s garage, he had a few people do a bit of work in the auto body trade and when I saw it I was very interested and decided to try it out,” adding there was no question to which school he would attend to get that training.
 
“I went to CNA because it was a good school and it’s very well known. Everyone that I talked to who had gone there said good things, and the program is offered in St. John’s which is where I wanted to be. Another school offered the program but I chose CNA because it was the place I was most comfortable with.”
 
Once he started the program he was hooked.
 
“When I went in to do the program I had no idea whatsoever about the auto body trade other than it was what you had to do it to paint cars. As I went through the program, I was more and more interested. There was so much information that was valuable to me and when I got out in industry I was able to do the job that was needed with the training I got from CNA.”
 
John feels the instructors played a big part in his success and he still considers them friends more than a decade after completing his training.
 
“I loved the instructors. I still have the instructors calling me about what’s happening in the trade and career paths – even last week we talked. They are extremely knowledgeable, kind, and they are there for the students. They are there to help you not only through your program, but throughout your career. They’d do anything for you at the drop of a hat so it makes for a very personal and good relationship between student and teacher.”
 
It was at the urging of his instructor while taking the program that he signed up for Skills Canada. He was quite successful at the Skills Canada competition, eventually representing Newfoundland and Labrador at the nationals, then representing Canada at the World Skills competition.
He fondly recalls the experience and says the skills he gained from his involvement were invaluable. Since graduating from the program John has been featured as a guest speaker for Skills Canada – Newfoundland and Labrador as well as to students at CNA. In addition to keeping in touch with his former instructors, he continues to drop into the Prince Philip Drive campus to discuss what is happening within the trade.
 
“They’re always at top of the game when it comes to the education of everyone going out in the field,” he says of the college, adding that the facilities and equipment are top notch.
 
“I’ve been to a lot of places and looked at current equipment this trade offers and the college is always updated with the newest equipment and latest technology on the market. To have that equipment in a facility when you’re doing a course, right off the bat, it gives you an extreme benefit in your learning because it allows you to see what’s new out there. When you go out in the field you’re not afraid to take on that machine because you have experience on it, which is always good. Between that and the instructors, it’s such a great program.”
 
Over a decade after finishing his program at CNA, John is still happily employed and enjoying a fruitful career in the Motor Vehicle Body Repairer field.
 
“I’ve had a couple of people come to me to ask my opinion on doing this trade. Most people who know me don’t have to ask what I think of the program because they automatically know how highly I regard it.”
 
John found a job right after graduation and is currently employed at Advanced Autoworks & Detail Centre in Kilbride. His job is very satisfying and sees himself staying in this field for many years to come.
 
“My favourite part about this career is being able to see the look on someone’s face when they have a lot of damage on a car and when they get it back you can’t even tell that it was damaged. I enjoy when I have the opportunity to paint something and when it comes out it looks so nice, smooth and shiny. It gives you a good feeling because it was the skills you learned in the program that allow you to do that. It’s quite rewarding every day.”
 
He feels CNA most definitely prepared him well for his chosen career, adding a student will only get so much out of the program as they’re willing to put into it.
 
“I believe there is a lot to learn in the college. You might not get everything because there is a lot of information to take in, but it’s your job to take in as much information as you can. There is a bit of learning when you do get out in industry, but the college definitely prepares you to match up with the best of them. If you’re willing to learn, then you will have no problem succeeding in your career. The college is there to provide the training you need to succeed.”
 
John is a firm believer that you don’t need a university degree to be successful in your career and that’s why he chose to train at CNA’s nine-month program. His dream job would be to eventually teach at the very place he received his training.
 
“I don’t think there is anyone at the college who doesn’t know that,” he says with a chuckle.
 
For more information about the Motor Vehicle Body Repairer (Metal and Paint) program visit www.cna.nl.ca.
 
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Media Contact:
 
Glenda McCarthy
Public Relations Assistant
College of the North Atlantic
glenda.mccarthy@cna.nl.ca
709.643.6408