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An Olympic accomplishment

Brendan Picard is an autoglass Olympian! The shop foreman for Novus
Auto Glass in Regina, Saskatchewan, was the sole Canadian participant
at the third annual Auto Glass Technician Olympics (AGTO) held in Las
Vegas in November.

Brendan Picard from Novus Auto Glass in Regina, Saskatchewan, was the sole Canadian participant at the third annual Auto Glass Technician Olympics (AGTO) held in Las Vegas in November. He was representing his provincial association, the Glass Dealers Association of Saskatchewan (GDAS).  Photos By Will Brandt.

Brendan Picard is an autoglass Olympian! The shop foreman for Novus Auto Glass in Regina, Saskatchewan, was the sole Canadian participant at the third annual Auto Glass Technician Olympics (AGTO) held in Las Vegas in November. Representing his provincial association, the Glass Dealers Association of Saskatchewan (GDAS), Picard placed 11th overall with a score of 241 out of a possible 250. There were a total of 24 contestants at the competition which was won by Jason Horne of Cindy Rowe Auto Glass in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Picard earned the chance to go to the AGTO and compete after placing first in a local competition in Regina where he was awarded the title of Best Auto Glass Technician by the GDAS.

Novus Auto Glass in Regina is owned by Will and Jodi Brandt. Will accompanied Picard to Las Vegas to support him during the event which he says was very competitive as the best autoglass technicians from high profile glass shops across the US were there. The two day competition requires contestants to compete against other technicians with each competitor installing a windshield on a car in accordance with the industry’s Auto Glass Replacement Safety Standards (AGRSS) Council. Competitors demonstrate their skills ‘live’ in front of an audience and to the scrutiny of the four event judges. After completing a full windshield replacement in the preliminary round, four finalists go on to remove and reinstall a backlite.

Scoring is based on the AGRSS and comprised of 10 sections. Those sections provide in-depth detail into each step a technician would take in a standard replacement installation. Each technician starts with a perfect score of 250 points. Judges then deduct points when technicians miss steps, safety items or techniques. The contestants are judged according to an AGRSS scorecard, which includes not just installation skill, but every aspect of the autoglass replacement appointment process such as greeting the customer, inspecting the vehicle, installation standards and technique, post-installation and cleanup, and final customer wrap-up. The first place winner is awarded a $5000 cash prize, gold medal, large trophy and the coveted title of ‘World’s Best Auto Glass Technician’. Second and third place winners receive cash prizes as well as silver and bronze medals.

The two day competition requires contestants to compete against other technicians with each competitor installing a windshield on a car in accordance with the industry’s Auto Glass Replacement Safety Standards (AGRSS) Council.

Picard says the judges scrutinized the competitors very carefully, deducting points for the smallest of things, right down to the uniform worn by the installers. “I lost two points because I wore a belt with a buckle and that could have scratched the paint on the car. Judging came down to some very fine details,” he says.

Both Picard and Brandt say the competition is highly valuable because it promotes awareness of the importance of safe installations and raises the bar for installer skill level. “Something like this puts the focus on quality behind windshield installations. It was about installing a windshield properly and not about speed,” says Picard, adding that the criteria even looked at elements in customer service. An added benefit to the autoglass technicians was they were learning best installation practices from each other. “All the guys there were good at their jobs and they were willing to give hints and tips. It can only help improve your skills as an autoglass technician,” says Picard who has 10 years of experience in the industry.

The GDAS plans to hold another local autoglass technician competition for 2008 in Saskatoon in conjunction with its annual general meeting on May 3 and Picard plans to be there. He says he will vie for the opportunity to win the competition and represent Canada again at the 2008 AGTO in the US. “I want to go back and win the gold medal. But this really isn’t about winning, it’s about improving my skills as a technician.” -end-