Career as a Mechanic

19lottie82

colino wrote: »

Sorry, there is a glut of solid apprentices, improvers and full time techs

Yes, true.

colino wrote: »

industry that appears to be in freefall.

Nonsense. This is one industry that will still do well in a recession. People can't afford new cars, so need to maintain their current ones.

Notmyrealname

arcon5 wrote: »

Figured as much.

Was hoping really there may be a private organisation offering courses 2-3 days per week or something. Or at the very least offer an introductory course so if I was to decide on an apprentice it would give more scope to a) negotiate a better salary and b) the initial experience give them moe experience to get on board.

Colleges do motor vehicle courses 2-3 days a week if you want. Most apprentices get their City and Guilds by doing day release at college from their employer.

There is no scope for negotiating a salary as an apprentice, even if you've got a bit of experience behind you because at best you'll know the absolute basics and that is all - enough to do just about basic servicing, not even a comprehensive one.

Notmyrealname

19lottie82 wrote: »

Most adverts ive seen online offer around £20-30k?
The real money comes if you have the skills / funds to set up your own business instead of working for someone else! (like most trades I suppose)

For £30k you'll be a time served mechanic and will have had manufacturer training so will have in depth knowledge of a manufacturers models such as Ford.

colino

The comment about people making do with what they have is the logical expectation, but moneysavers are in a minority.
You would not believe the number of new cars reaching their MOT point now and failing, expensively failing, and the owners then trading them in. These cars rarely have anything apart from the PDI plus maybe a free first service in the book and they wouldn't know where the bonnet release is.
Scrappage + a double dip recession economy means that cars are going to be grinding to a halt in the next 12-24 months with owners simply dumping them and moving on to their next financed eurobox.

zildjian

The competition for apprenticeship jobs to become a mechanic is incredible. Just getting your foot in the door will be pretty tough. Then even when its in, you will be on an abismal wage, and also have to buy your own tools ( a point i didnt see mentioned when i had a glance).

@colino, i think your point is valid. But at the same time, you are saying they will "trade in", concidering alot of the service departments are ran by companies which also have showrooms selling second hand cars. Surely even if it is traded in, the mechanic will end up with work in the turn around process?