Becoming a mechanic...

lemonade

lemonade

lemonade

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Anyone got any advice on ways to go in becoming a mechanic? like places to learn from, how do you find the job?

I'm thinking of maybe doing some open university course, but I have no idea how the teaching is and how long the courses are, i've always learnt things on my own so not sure if i should spend a lot of money on some course, so maybe learn on my own if possible. Also how is the job industry like? Getting a job in some garage would probably be quiet hard i would imagine, so i'm thinking of being a self employed mobile mechanic of some sorts.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks
 
My dad is a mechanic, only within the past 6-8 years has he made any decent money from it. That's by teaching it. Sure others have success stories though.
 
What's your age?

An apprenticeship is a great way to start, but you may struggle if you're "older".
 
^ no idea what that phrase means? :p

As for my age i'm nearly 22.

As for money wise, thats one of my concerns, doesn't seem to be much money in it and i would imagine it would be really hard to even start of as a self-employed mechanic, finding customers, and making enough money to live on.

Anyone know what programmes like the "Honda Academy" are like?

Bah don't know what to do! :(
 
what about starting as an mot tester. then when not testing cars you could train from other people in the garage or something.
what things can you do at the moment with cars ?
 
21/22 could be a good age TBH. Some dealers like older apprentices as some of the young lads can be immature *****.

Apprentice wages are pretty poor. Put it this way, I don't earn much more than the minimum wage and all the Audi lads I train with complain that I earn far more money than them! :o

You're not likely to become a millionaire by doing it, but going by what I see and the people I work with there is a fairly decent living to be had even in a main dealer. Then you've got all the private jobs you can do on the side. From what I overhear master/senior techs can expect £30k upwards. Even if you only spin filters day in - day out that's £20k+, but I expect you'll want to kill yourself with boredom within a few months/years.

My only slight gripe about working in a main dealer is that you don't get stuck in with pulling things apart as much as you'd like. Very much of the job is plugging in a diagnostic machine, reading the fault codes and replacing a control module. It's a bit disappointing if you're like me and what to tear cars apart from the word "Go", but you get used to it.

If you really want to learn about cars/try the trade look for an apprenticeship, do it for three years, get your qualification and experience and then really sit down and think to yourself if you really want to spend the rest of your life in the trade.
 
go around to your Local main dealers, ask to speak to the manager and show them you’re CV, grades. Show a big willing interest and that your worth putting money into.

Having a big company behind you will open opportunity’s to go on specialist courses, which cost thousands of pounds
 
I did a HNC then a HND in MV Technology, a HNC and HND in MV Motorsport Engineering and a bunch of RTITB certificates.

What you get (this was many moons ago), via the courses, is a placement which usually leads to an apprenticeship. If you want to do your placement somewhere specific, you still need to sell yourself because you are viewed as a potential apprentice.

Check your local poly/tech college for BTEC courses.
 
Oh, I forgot one of the best perks - "Trade Price". Been quoted a whopping £35 to sort the unholy dent in my rear 1/4 panel by the subcontractor dent repair bloke. The person who I bought the car from got a quote that was more than 4 times that amount.

Wheel refurb? Bung the apprentice painter £50 and they'll be as good as new within a few days. Where else can you get a full machine mop/polish for £20?

I've not paid full price for parts since starting. I Turn up to a parts counter in my work jacket and at least 15% disappears from my bill :cool:.
 
Do you not just get your wages paid out to the Snap On man every month?

You have to buy your own tools, they aren't provided are they?
 
I think I'm the only mechanic in the world who hasn't bought into the Snap On hype.

I quite proudly say that I don't own a single snap on tool :)
 
Im looking at career change to mechanic (or garage owner ;)) but im a tad older than most (28).

Im hoping to go back to college next year to get a BTEC or two. Not 100% decided on the course yet but unlikey to be considered for an apprenticeship afterwards due to my age. Proabably wouldnt survive on an apprentice wage either.

Likely to have an uphill struggle finding a job too with no 'on the job' experience and only a poxy piece of paper to my name! lol

Anybody any pointers on which courses are more suited?

http://www.leicestercollege.ac.uk/index.php/Search.html?area=Motor Vehicle
 
zipp0r said:
what about starting as an mot tester. then when not testing cars you could train from other people in the garage or something.
what things can you do at the moment with cars ?
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You cant do it that way, Im not sure what you need but i think minimum is a level 2 and there exam or a level 3 NVQ.
 
Joshy said:
My only slight gripe about working in a main dealer is that you don't get stuck in with pulling things apart as much as you'd like. Very much of the job is plugging in a diagnostic machine, reading the fault codes and replacing a control module. It's a bit disappointing if you're like me and what to tear cars apart from the word "Go", but you get used to it.
Click to expand...
What main dealer do you work at? We strip everything down at ours working for Ford, commercial garage we strip most things.
 
Fett said:
Level 3 HNC and HND, at the bottom of the list.
Click to expand...

Any reason for that specific course? Not questioning you, just wondering why that one over, say, BTEC national award (1 above in the list)?

Think I might nip down the college tomorrow and see when my application needs to be in by and course fee's etc.
 
National Award (this may have changed since I did all this) was a bit Mickey Mouse. The National Certificate and National Diploma (HNC / HND) are the equivalent of year 1 and 2 at uni.
 
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