By Jonathan Pilon Executive President of CCPQ – Corporation des carrossiers professionnels du Québec.
Progress for our industry will not come from a single company or a single initiative, but rather from our collective ability to raise our standards, share a common vision, and build strong businesses for future generations.
As an industry, we have long focused our efforts on operations, equipment, and productivity. But today, it has become essential to return to the foundation: the people who keep our shops running every day. The quality of our employees — and especially the quality of our managers — will have a direct impact on the future of the collision repair industry.
A high-performing shop no longer depends solely on technical skills. It depends on the ability to mobilize a team, build a strong culture, and create a work environment where people want to stay and grow. Too often in our industry, highly skilled technicians become managers without truly being prepared for the role. Yet a strong manager can completely transform a business.
Training the next generation is important, but developing our leaders is just as critical.
We must create an industry where employees feel they can build a stable, rewarding, and modern career. Today’s younger generations are looking for more than just a paycheque — they want a stimulating workplace, respect, guidance, and opportunities for growth.
We must also continue transforming the image of the collision repair industry.
For too long, our trade has suffered from an outdated and negative perception. Yet the reality of modern repair shops is completely different. Today, our industry is highly specialized, technology-driven, and essential. We work with increasingly complex vehicles, advanced equipment, and constantly evolving repair methods.
Modern collision repair is a profession built on precision, technology, and expertise.
But if we want to attract the next generation and secure the future of our industry, we must do a better job of promoting this reality. We need to speak proudly about our profession, showcase our teams, and demonstrate that collision repair offers real opportunities for career growth and personal fulfillment.
The future of our industry will depend on our ability to work together, invest in our people, and build businesses where the quality of leadership becomes just as important as the quality of repairs.
Because in the end, the greatest progress in our industry will not come only from technology, but from the people who drive it forward.
Picture and text credit : Jonathan Pilon
