Oct 27, 2023
With the snow about to fly across the west, the latest Tracker is ready for you to download. As always, you’ll find no shortage of pertinent news that touches on almost every aspect of the association’s wide range of activities.
First and foremost, we bring to your attention the resumption of in-person training, after a long hiatus thanks to the pandemic. Sessions are already gearing up—and there’ll be more to come. We expect plenty of demand so urge you to book promptly. Find registration info on page 13.
Are you charging enough for your skills and services? Regular contributor Paul McAlduff makes the case as to why “Great Service Should Always Be Paid For” in his latest ‘Just Sayin’’ column.
Ever wonder what happens to those scrap tires that get picked up? Over the years WCTD has played a key role in the evolution of our various recycling agencies. On that note, you can check out another of Tire Stewardship BC’s very successful playground projects on page 19.
No time like the present to remind you of the need to make sure that TPMS systems remain intact during during changeovers. Our good friends at Federated Insurance offer some helpful insights on TPMS liability on page 17, including a course of action if the customer refuses to have the work completed.
There’s more, of course, as we check in on Quebec’s ground-breaking Right to Repair legislation and get some helpful tips from Simply Safe on updating your in-house hearing conservation program—and making sure that workers PPE devices fit properly.
Last but not least, we are delighted to salute this year’s Scholarship Recipients!
Download the latest Tracker today!
Jan 8, 2019
Matt White, TIA Director of Tire Service
In cooperation with the Tire Industry Association (TIA), Western Canada Tire Dealers offers the following training courses for 2019.
1. Earthmover TireService (ETS) Advanced Installer Program
2. Automotive Tire Service (ATS) Level 400 / Train the Trainer
3. Commercial Tire Service (CTS) Level 400 / Train the Trainer
As always, leading these courses is TIA Director of Tire Service Matt White, our valued instructor in the past. Matt enjoys worldwide recognition for his dynamic approach and is highly regarded as the best in his field.
Attendees must bring their own PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) (steel toed shoes, gloves, vests, glasses etc.) for the hands-on practical portion of the training.
Training materials, lunches and coffee breaks will be provided.
1. Earthmover Tire Service (ETS) Advanced Installer Program
March 5th to 7th, Vernon. BC
Starts 8:00 a.m. on March 5th at:Prestige Inn, 4411 – 32nd. Street, Vernon, BC. For room registration phone: 250-558-5991. Ref. Event E05580
Cost of this course is $800.00 + GST
Matt White: Airing on the side of safety
2. Automotive Tire Service (ATS) Level 400: Train the Trainer
March 11th to 15th, Langley, BC. Two courses offered:
• ATS A. March 11th, 8 a.m. to noon, March 13th
• ATS B. March 13th, Noon to 5:00 p.m. March 15th
Holiday Inn Express, 8750 – 204th. Street, Langley, BC. For room registration phone: 604-882-2000
Cost of this course is $600.00 + GST
3. Commercial Tire Service (CTS) Level 400: ‘Train the Trainer’
April 9th to 11th, 2019
This course starts at 8:00a.m. April 9th at:
Holiday Inn and Suites, 11330 170th. Street Edmonton, AB. For room registration phone: 780-444-3110
Cost of this Course is $800.00 +GST
Click to Download Registration
Matt White leads the industry’s most comprehensive training programs
May 3, 2015
Matt White: Airing on the side of safety
Matt White is the much traveled Director of Tire Service at TIA. WCTD recently caught up with him between trips for just long enough to check in on how things are going—and what’s on his radar…
We started by asking Matt what impact he’s noticed from his activities here in Canada over the last few years.
MW. “I would say, in the last two years, we’ve logged 45 weeks plus of training throughout Canada. What I see is total acceptance. And I see that in the way that people are changing their operations and they way they do business.”
What do you put that down to?
MW: It’s a combination of things. But really it’s everything from the success of the classes to a broader awareness of all that’s related to safety, and a great spirit of collaboration within WCTD. Also, we’ve had few fatalities in the industry in the last few years, which brings a sense of urgency. Having a commitment from everyone involved to move ahead and change things has been really crucial.
I fully believe we’re making a difference throughout Canada: in the way that the WCTD safety committee has come together; and in the way people are talking safety all the time. Instead of less training there’s more training, which means companies are committed to a program of ongoing education.
What do you say to people who don’t even have a safety program?
MW: They really need to look into the way they’re doing business. Through the association, they can get help from the safety committee—we’re here to help. That’s why we develop these programs. At TIA our motto is “Safety Starts Here.”
Ultimately, I don’t “sell” anything. My job is to save lives. It’s what we do: work and safety awareness.
What’s so challenging about the tire business?
MW: Everyone thinks it’s “just a tire”. But it’s not. It’s a specific piece of equipment. And in some cases we’re dealing with one of most dangerous jobs in the world—as well as some of the largest tires in the world. The people I’m talking to aren’t “tire boys;” they’re tire technicians with a specific job.
Handling large tires requires specific training, as offered by the EMT course
What’s new?
MW: In 2015 we’ll be revamping the Earthmover Certification Program, which will be the ETS program, with levels 300 and 400. We also plan on revamping the CTS program—Commercial Tire Service. We’re preparing that for release in 2016.
Just released this month was the updated Industrial Tire Service (ITS) program. For 2017 we will be redoing the Automotive Tire Service (ATS) program. We’re showing the members throughout the industry that we are committed to continuous education; and that we keep our programs as up-to-date as we possibly can.
Can you tell us about training for women only?
MW: As you know our president is Freda Boyer. In talking with Freda we have always committed to equality in our industry, so TIA decided to come up with a program for females only. The course is scheduled to take place in Phoenix, October 6-9—which also happens to be Breast Cancer Awareness month. TIA’s goal is to have complete equality, with female instructors throughout the tire industry. As far as Canada and WCTD is concerned, our plan is to schedule a similar program here in 2016, details which will be announced soon.
We’ve always brought the best of whatever works in the States into Canada as soon as possible. I was at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, when a female instructor came up to me and said: “You know, you touched my life six years ago. I was working at a tire shop and had come to a class with you. In no time at all I was training others,” she said.
My feeling was that the momentum was there—and the time was right. Here was somebody who was still in the industry and could be really helpful in passing on the safety message. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter whether it’s a man or woman—nor does race count. In the end, a technician is a technician is a technician.
How do you define what you do?
MW: My job is to travel the world showing people how and why to do things. And I hope they follow the rules. If you lock out the truck properly, it can’t be driven—and nobody’s going to get run over. If you use a remote control air device instead of standing in front of the tire, and it blows, you won’t die.
What I teach are facts, not fiction.
As for The Tracker, I’m glad to be part of it. People come up and ask me when my next article is coming out—which tells me that we are offering a valuable service. And that makes me very happy.
I guess at the end of the day people see me as the face of safety.
And I’m fine with that!
