he turned to teaching — and has now spent more than 26 years training tomorrow’s technicians at the École des metiers in Quebec. AIA Canada pays tribute to him in its Spotlight series, which highlights professionals shaping the future of Canada’s automotive aftermarket industry.

A technician who became an instructor by choice, not by circumstance

Jean Baril’s career follows a path that many industry professionals will recognize: you start by loving to fix cars, and you end up loving even more to help others learn how to do it. The move from the workbench to the classroom is no small feat. It requires breaking down gestures that have become intuitive after years of practice, explaining them to young students who have not yet developed the experienced technician’s eye, and finding new ways to spark their curiosity every single year.

Teaching in 2026: a profession that keeps transforming

Automotive mechanics in 2026 is not the same trade it was in 2000. Hybrid vehicles, ADAS systems, increasingly complex electronic architectures and the arrival of electric vehicles in service shops have completely transformed the profile of the technician that schools like Jean Baril’s must train. Staying current is a constant requirement — and it is not easy when you are juggling course preparation, internship supervision, and individual student follow-up.

An ambassador for workforce renewal across an entire industry

The portrait of Jean Baril published by AIA Canada is not simply a tribute to a deserving professional. It signals to the entire industry that the instructors who train tomorrow’s technicians deserve the same recognition as the technicians themselves. In a sector facing a growing shortage of skilled labour, the Jean Barils of Quebec and Canada are a precious resource—and a source of inspiration for everyone considering making the same leap toward teaching.

Source text and picture : AIA Canada (aiacanada.com) — Spotlight Jean Baril, 30 septembre 2026