Students who find it difficult to focus on regular school curriculum can look forward to ACE IT- a program that gives Grade 11 and 12 students a chance to focus on a trade that they are passionate about.  

Ato Essandoh, is a Grade 12 student taking the ACE IT Automotive Service Technician at Britannia Secondary. Fluent in English and French, Essandoh radiates a positive and enthusiastic demeanor combined with a sense of pride in what he is currently studying.  

Ato says he's happy to be in a place where he gets to share his passion with others who have the same desire.

"Before this program I was playing Xbox every day, now I am studying every day," says Essandoh.

At the moment, he is receiving valuable work experience at Kal Tire, thanks to his program instructor, Kim Or and Kal Tire manager, Chris McIntyre and other technicians. This experience has helped him become more confident in working with vehicles.

"Ato is one of my top kids in the program this year," says Or. "I was so impressed with his resume and work ethics that I had Ato placed at Kal Tire in September to get his 240 hours of work place training in a shop."

After Essandoh finishes the Automotive program, he plans to acquire even more work experience and then return back to school.

To learn more about the ACE IT Automotive Service Technician program click here.

Other ACE IT programs include: Automotive Collision Repair, Automotive Refinishing Prep Technician, Baking and Pastry Arts, Carpentry, Cook Training, Hairdressing, Metal Fabricator, Painting and Plumbing.