TestDrive connects motivated high-school students with real automotive workplaces for short, structured placements. You provide a safe, supervised environment—students gain hands-on experience, and you discover future talent.
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Build your talent pipeline while contributing to your community.
Meet candidates before graduation and hire top performers into entry-level roles.
Placement insurance, safety guidelines, and program staff support are built-in.
Students assist with prep, inspections, detailing, and more as they learn.
Share your focus areas, hours, and supervisor.
Safety and workplace readiness training are covered before day one.
Paid summer placement totalling ~200 hours in July–August.
Many hosts offer continuing employment to standout students.
The placement is employer-paid: a minimum of 200 hours during July–August. Employers set the hourly wage at or above the applicable provincial/territorial minimum wage and follow employment standards.
Schedules should remain within provincial employment standards and any school board guidance.
This tool provides an estimate only. Actual payroll costs vary by jurisdiction and employer. Please consult your payroll provider for exact deductions and contributions.
The placement is paid by the employer. Our team provides guides and ongoing support to make hosting simple and safe.
1–2 days of observation with light hands-on tasks.
Paid summer placement · ~200 hours (Jul–Aug) following a simple work plan.
Convert top students into permanent roles.
“The student was great to have in the shop and showed staff that youth are still interested in trade.”
Ryan, South Shore Tire
“With this experience, students are better prepared to make a career choice.”
Danny, Phillip LeBlanc Diesel Repair Ltd
Get to know potential future employees while supporting the next generation of skilled tradespeople.
Hosting a TestDrive student allows your business to introduce a young person to your workplace, share your expertise, and help them develop practical, hands-on skills in the Motive Power trade.
Expressing your interest early allows TestDrive to pair you with a student whose interests and career goals align with your business’ area of expertise. It also gives you time to plan and determine how a 200-hour summer placement can fit into your operations.
For employers, a student placement can be more than just a learning opportunity—it can be a chance to build relationships with emerging talent, showcase your industry and workplace, and potentially connect with a future apprentice or employee.
There is no obligation to host a student until a potential match is identified and your business confirms that you have the capacity to participate. By expressing interest now, you place your business in a position to be considered when a suitable student match becomes available.
Your interest can help a student take their first step into the skilled trades—and may help your business discover its next great hire.”
Everything you need to host a placement.
Define tasks and learning goals.
Responsibilities and daily safety.
Yes. Liability coverage is provided through the school insurance program. This does prevent students from operating vehicles during the summer placement period.
Students begin with observation and light tasks. A sample work plan outlines activities such as shop prep, inspections support, detailing, and parts handling.
Hosts designate a supervisor who provides daily check-ins and basic coaching. We offer a simple tracker and touch points to keep it efficient.
Yes. The TestDrive placement is employer-paid: 200 hours during July and August.