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SUCCESS
STORY
Transportation Alumnus
Allan Pritchard Keeps 1.8 million
Torontonians Moving Every Day
As Head of Bus Maintenance with the Toronto Transit
Commission (TTC), Al Pritchard oversees a staff of
1,550 and a fleet of 2,000 buses moving 1.8 million
people every day. He’s come a long way since he was
first hired on as a technician back in 1983.
And it all started with Centennial College.
Al says his three-year Motor Vehicle Mechanic
apprenticeship program at Centennial College
was the greatest time of his life. Not only was he
learning his trade, but he also had the opportunity
to complete his apprenticeship with his father, a
respected mechanic who owned his own shop.
The combination of his formal training at Centennial
and his dad’s mentorship quickly secured Al a job
with the TTC, where he stayed for five years before
moving on to other opportunities. In 1995, he was
asked to return to the organization as a truck and
coach bus technician. He’s never looked back.
Al is incredibly proud of the strong partnership his
alma mater shares with the TTC. His team sends all
of its apprentices to study at Centennial, which is in
constant conversation with the TTC to ensure
programs are meeting the evolving needs of the
transportation industry.
Under Al’s leadership, the TTC and Centennial have
developed a modified apprenticeship program that
equips students with the unique skills to work with
transit buses — a model that doesn’t exist anywhere
else in North America. He also works closely with the
Toronto District School Board to provide a range of
co-op and work experience opportunities for teens
interested in pursuing a career in transit vehicle
maintenance.
ALLAN’S ADVICE TO NEW STUDENTS...
“Continual learning is the key to success. In an industry where technology
is constantly evolving, you have to stay on top of the latest developments.
Centennial is making sure its students are set up for success by asking
questions, changing with the times and providing the best training they
possibly can.”
TRANSPORTATION
Success Story
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