Training to transform: Tristan Galarneau’s visionary approach
In this interview conducted by Mario Comtois, member of the AIA Canada Quebec Division, Tristan Galarneau, director of training and accreditation at VitrXpert and co-owner of the franchise, shares his unconventional journey, marked by a passion for automobiles and an ability to seize opportunities.
What does your role entail?
At VitrXpert, I serve as the Director of Training and Accreditation, in addition to being the co-owner of the franchise with Pierre Lévesque.
Can you describe a typical day?
Describing a typical day is nearly impossible because no two days are alike. My role encompasses several aspects, including training franchisees—be it for installation, repair, calibration, customer reception, or transaction management. However, in managing a franchise, my involvement goes well beyond technical training. It also involves strategizing, providing operational support, standardizing practices, and offering on-site assistance to ensure the quality and consistency of the network.
How did your interest in the industry develop?
Initially trained in electronics and telecommunications, I entered the industry somewhat by chance, helping a friend in his mechanical workshop. I quickly discovered a genuine interest in rustproofing and automotive aesthetics, which led me to develop a specialized department in this field. This experience eventually opened the door to VitrXpert, where I now focus on developing expertise in windshield replacement and ADAS system calibration.
What are the daily challenges you face?
One of the main daily challenges I encounter is ensuring consistency and uniformity across our network of franchisees. It is essential that everyone is on the same page, especially when it comes to technical practices like ADAS system calibration after windshield replacement.
Initially, this was not straightforward. Some franchisees doubted the necessity of calibration if the camera had not been disconnected or thought it was exaggerated, even unnecessary. There was a lot of misinformation and resistance to change. Today, thanks to our training and awareness efforts, everyone recognizes the importance of calibration. But this kind of realignment takes time and a lot of communication.
Communication itself is another daily challenge. Everyone has their own preference: text message, Messenger, email, phone call—sometimes it feels like we might even need a carrier pigeon! This fragmentation makes uniform information dissemination more complex and requires constant adaptability to effectively reach each member of the network.
Fortunately, we are implementing structured solutions to improve these aspects, but it remains a real issue, as is likely the case for many organizations. Creating a solid, well-aligned, and well-informed network is daily work that demands rigor, attentiveness, and flexibility.
What advice would you give to people who have just joined the auto care industry?
I would tell anyone considering joining our industry, particularly as a windshield technician, that there is a secure and opportunity-filled future. It’s a field in demand, but paradoxically, there are very few qualified technicians and virtually no specialized training schools in this niche.
Becoming a windshield technician does nothappen after a three- or six-month course: you learn on the job, by practicing, observing, and adapting. Yes, it requires commitment, but that’s also what makes the profession dynamic and rewarding.
Unfortunately, traditional training programs are often behind the technological reality of the job. They still teach methods that are 30 years old, based on very physical work, whereas today’s reality is entirely different. Thanks to modern tools, the work has become more technical than physical, opening the door to a greater diversity of profiles, including more and more women choosing this profession.
My advice would be: be curious, open-minded, and ready to learn differently. The industry is evolving rapidly, and those who engage with passion and openness will have a promising career ahead of them.
What inspires you most about your work or the industry?
What inspires me most in my work is above all the richness of human interactions. I have the chance to meet extremely competent people, passionate experts who master very advanced aspects of our industry. These discussions allow me to question our ways of doing things, to better understand why we do things, and above all, how we can improve them.
My goal is always the same: to offer the best possible service, with the right tools, based on a model of high quality, flexibility, and an exceptional customer experience. To reach this level, we need to be inspired by the best—not just here in Quebec or Canada, but on an international scale.
It’s this constant quest for excellence, fueled by exchanges, innovation, and openness to the world, that motivates me daily.
What does the Automotive Industries Association of Canada mean to you, and what would you like the association to achieve in the future?
For me, the Automotive Industries Association of Canada (AIA Canada) represents an essential space for dialogue, collaboration, and shared vision for our industry. What I find particularly valuable is this ability to bring together stakeholders from all backgrounds—network directors, workshop owners, insurance representatives, business managers—to discuss issues, trends, and the future of the market.
I remember my first participations in these meetings: I was impressed to see so much diversity around the same table, all united by a common goal—to advance the industry. These moments allow us to take a step back, think on a large scale, and step out of our operational daily life to better anticipate upcoming transformations.
In the future, I would like to see AIA Canada continue to promote these strategic gatherings, and even strengthen them, by creating more bridges between the different market segments. It is by standing together, working together, that we will be able to go further, faster, and above all, in the right direction.
About VitrXpert
VitrXpert is a key player in the automotive glass sector in Quebec. Specializing in the replacement, repair, and recalibration of automotive glass, the company relies on high-quality and high-safety standards to ensure customer satisfaction and protection. With nearly 140 branches across the province, VitrXpert is present in body shops, mechanical workshops, and dealerships, offering a comprehensive solution under a single concept: “Everything under one roof.” This approach ensures efficient, fast service tailored to motorists’ needs.
About the campaign I am AIA
I am AIA aims to raise the profile of auto care industry professionals in Canada with the goal of humanizing our industry and showcasing members of AIA Canada. If you are interested in participating in sharing your story through this campaign, we encourage you to apply.