NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA COLLEGE
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A recent Niagara College (NC) automotive graduate will have the tools of the trade, thanks to the generosity of a recently-retired mechanic from Toronto.
Now living in Niagara Falls, and with his tools “collecting dust,” Tom Cowan’s friend Jocelyn recommended he gift them to a NC student.
Cowan got in touch with Wayne Toth, program coordinator of NC’s Motive Power program and jumped at the chance to pass the wrench to a deserving mechanic-in-training.
“I was hoping that whoever got them really wanting to be a mechanic,” said Cowan. “Someone who has oil in their veins like I did.”
Jessie Boy Dela Rosa, a recent graduate from the Motive Power program (2024), was recommended by his professors, having earned the highest grade point average.
The gift was a complete surprise to Dela Rosa, who is now working at DVM Automotive in Welland.
“I wasn’t expecting this,” said Dela Rosa. “I am going to take good care of those tools. I know Tom has invested a lot of money and has good memories with those tools. I am going to continue doing that and will make good use of them.”
“We are so appreciative to Tom for his generosity which will surely give Jessie a leg up as he begins his new career,” said Toth. “Jessie is going to do very well. We’re very proud of him.”
Originally a Data Analyst from the Philippines, Dela Rosa spent his weekends tinkering with his car and falling in love with the trade.
“I used to work with computers… now I’m turning wrenches,” said Del Rosa, who has a Master’s degree in business management.
He and his wife – and their terrier Whiskey – took the big leap to pursue his passion and learn the automotive trade in Canada.
“I narrowed down my choice to Niagara College because of the green tech… that was the deciding factor,” said Dela Rosa, referring to NC’s expertise in electric and hybrid vehicles. “No other college has it.”
Open the drawers of the red steel chest and the contents tell the story of Cowan’s career and passion for cars; from apprenticing to working at small shops, to teaching and eventually opening his own specialty shop for classic cars.
“There are sockets in there from 1968, and tools from the first mechanic I worked for that go back to the forties,” said Cowan, who reflected fondly on running Toytown Motors in Richmond Hill where he “fixed all his friends toys,” from a ‘56 Corvette’s to a souped up ‘69 Chevelles.
Throughout his career, Cowan had a voracious appetite for learning.
“I took to it like a duck to water,” said Cowan, who credits his mentor John with whom he apprenticed. “The amount you don’t know is amazing, which is why staying up-to-date throughout your career is so important.”
Through his apprenticeship, Cowan experienced the value of good mentorship. He was inspired to pass it on, going on to teach at-risk youth, and later, night courses at Centennial College in electrical, carburation, and air conditioning.
“The way they’re building cars today, the opportunities for mechanics are sky-high,” said Cowan.
His advice for automotive grads: Find an employer who is supportive of continuous learning.
“Number one for employers is someone who has a good base to repair cars, but secondly, has initiative and drive to want to do better… Someone who is up to date and stays up to date.”
While at NC, Dela Rosa worked part-time with the faculty team in Motive Power to ensure the labs ran smoothly for students.
“Since day one as a student here, you impacted all of us in a very positive way, and there is no one more deserving of this than you,” said program instructor Domenic Mengia. “Working for us as an employee, volunteering at open houses, always making sure your job was done, never missing a class, and earning the highest grades.”
“I’m really glad that someone got them who could use them,” said Cowan.
Niagara College has a full-time enrolment of more than 10,000 students from over 100 countries, who study in 130 diploma, certificate and bachelor degree programs at specialized campuses in Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Niagara College is also involved in educational projects and partnerships around the world and is ranked Canada’s No.1 research college. Learn more at niagaracollege.ca.
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