Getting students in the know about synthetic oil

With success in Vancouver and Alberta, Wakefield Canada Inc. is bringing its High School Synthetic Education program to Ontario.

Starting in February, Wakefield will be offering to some 372 Ontario high-schools with automotive education programs a complete synthetic oil education kits. The kit includes an ASE-certified synthetic oil training DVD and test, a case of Castrol synthetic 10W-30 oil and an official Castrol Banner that the teacher can put up in the shop if they wish.

“The approach we are taking with this program is not to advertise or promote Castrol,” said Chad Cole, trade marketing manager for Wakefield Canada in Toronto. “This is an education program. We have found that there is a shortfall in understanding around not just synthetic oil, but in many (kinds of) oils. We have approached this program as a way of educating people on the facts of motor oil, particularly synthetic oil.”

Cole added the program is also an effort to on the part of Wakefield to give more support to high-school automotive programs. While many in the industry give a great deal of support at the post-secondary level, it is “hit-and-miss at the high-school level, where there may be a lot of support at one school, but little support at another,” Cole added.

Students in each province who pass the test are also eligible for a $1,000 scholarship, monies that can be used to further their post-secondary education in automotive repair and maintenance. The students selected for the scholarships will be announced in early June.

The phone number to enroll in the High School Education program is 1-888-CASTROL.