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WEEKEND FORECAST... Halton Hills HIGH LOW 5 ·The IFP· Halton Hills, Thursday, May 10, 2012 FRI. 190 60 SAT. 200 100 SUN. 170 90 ENDS MAY 15th *Must book apppointment by MAY 15/12 A/C maintenance SHOWROOM 118 Guelph St.(at Maple) 20% OFF* FURNACE, AIR CONDITIONING FIREPLACE & BBQ SALES and SERVICE 905-877-8990 www.asghomecomfort.com Chilean immigrant Steven Le Magueresse is an apprentice at Arnie's Collision Centre working full-time for shop owner Arnie Lefebvre in Norval. The Centennial College student has advanced to the national championships of an auto body repair competition for apprentices in Edmonton this weekend. Photo by Eamonn Maher From Chile to Thornhill to Norval apprentice technician reaches finals of national competition By EAMONN MAHER Staff Writer The average age of an employee in the auto collision repair industry is 56, so it's no surprise that young technicians are in high demand. That's why Steven Le Magueresse came to Canada by himself from Chile at age 19, looking to learn the trade and perhaps move back home to his hometown of Santiago at some point to open his own shop. "In Chile, they don't have the training available for people to learn how to do this," said Le Magueresse. Enrolled in the three-and-a-half-year auto body repairer program at Centennial College's School of Transportation, the now 22-year-old Le Magueresse travels from his home in Thornhill to Norval to serve the first term of his apprenticeship at Arnie's Collision Centre. Le Magueresse recently entered an apprentice collision repair competition at Centennial College and won it, qualifying him for the province-wide challenge in Kitchener last week. He placed first in that event too, earning the nod from the judging panel over a competitor who is one level higher than Le Magueresse in his training. This weekend, Le Magueresse is headed for Edmonton to take part in the national apprentice championships that puts students in various trades to the test. "When we did our competition at (Centennial) College, it wasn't as hard as the one for Ontario, so I'm expecting the competition at the nationals to be way harder when they bring the technology in and it could be a big surprise," he added. "I'm going to the college to get some training on their computer systems because I'm not really familiar with that yet." Le Magueresse was referred to Arnie's Collision Centre by an instructor at Centennial College and began working there a year ago on Wednesdays and Saturdays before getting bumped up to six days a week. "It's very difficult to find young guys who stay with it because it doesn't pay well to start," said Arnie Lefebvre. "But Steven's keen. He's here early every day. If he goes back to Chile and opens his own shop, I think I'll go work for him." CARRIERS NEEDED ACTON Norman Ave Acton Blvd Somerville Rd Dawkins Church st E Frederick St S GEORGETOWN Guelph st Palomino Trail Rexway Dr Joycelyn Cres Ann st Ontario st CHURCHES & TEMPLES GEORGETOWN CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH welcomes you! Lead Pastor: Rev. Gary vanLeeuwen Youth Pastor: Brian DeBoer Sunday Worship Services: 10:00 am & 6:00 pm www.gcrc.on.ca 11611 Trafalgar Road (north of Maple Avenue) 905-877-4322 KNOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH God's Word for Today's World. www.knoxgeorgetown.ca Interim-Moderator - Rev. Sean Foster 116 Main St. S., Georgetown, ON 905-877-7585 Chair-lift access available. 'Sunday's Cool' youth ministry program for ages 4 & up. Service Dial-in: 905-702-1629 SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES: 11:00 A.M. ALSO NEEDED: ADULT CARRIERS If interested, please call CIRCULATION 905-873-0301 SUNDAY SERVICES · Lord's Supper 10 A.M. · Ministry Meeting 11:00 A.M. · Fellowship Lunch 12:00 P.M. · Ministry Meeting 1:00 P.M. Meeting In: Georgetown Seniors Centre Address: 318 Guelph Street Phone: 905-873-1005 Website: www.haltonhillsbiblechapel.com A Non-Denominational Ministry Halton Community Church Acton Bible Study "Revelation" Thursdays 7:30 pm - May 17 to end of June At the Acton Town Hall Side Entrance 2nd Floor, 19 Willow St. N Acton All are welcome Call 905-873-0586 / 647-618-2714 / www.haltonworship.com