Mechanic Apprenticeships

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by xisled

Or what happened with my brother, the small workshop was so busy my brother could not go to tafe. He missed out on a whole year of school, he had to do an extra year to get qualified.

That happened to my mate, he missed out on a few blocks of TAFE because they wouldn't let him go as they were too busy.

[last fairlane]

I did three years of a MM apprenticeship back in the sixties
and like Mik all my mates worked in factories and were driving cars
while I had to catch trains
so I left and have been driving trucks ever since
Im about to retire after 40 odd years and Im a burnt out truck driver

and Graham 7773 Lindsay Fox started in Melbourne in the sixties
but he didnt start with nothing
marrying into the Dunlop family helps

if you want to make a small fortune with trucks
start with a large one

[-RADICAL-POSTURE-]

Better off becoming a mechanical engineer if you like all things mechanical and want to earn the big $$$ and you can work in just about any industry.

[mike_nofx]

Working on and modifying your own car can be fun, working on other people's cars for minimum wage would get old very quick.

My advice is, do it as a hobby but not as a career. The main issue is the ridiculously low pay. The money might look good now if you're still at home with your parents, or even if your renting a very cheap unit, but look more into the future. Check the average mechanics wage and work out if it will be adequate to support your future needs, going to support a wife and kids? Or have a home loan? Or nice cars? Overseas holidays?

[flappist]

Originally Posted by -RADICAL-POSTURE-

Better off becoming a mechanical engineer if you like all things mechanical and want to earn the big $$$ and you can work in just about any industry.

Or how about get a job as an apprentice and at the same time do the degree externally.

At the end you will be there rarest of rare, a graduate engineer who actually has a clue about the real world........

[blk6t]

Originally Posted by -RADICAL-POSTURE-

Better off becoming a mechanical engineer if you like all things mechanical and want to earn the big $$$ and you can work in just about any industry.

Completely agree, mechanical engineer is the way to go...much better pay when fully qualified, and a lot more opportunities. Particularly if you want to get into say vehicle development for a manufacturer or get your self on a V8 Supercar Team.

However, it is a lot more challenging to study and pass, the benefits will far out weigh this....in the long term.

[svo supporter]

I know car mechanics that earn 50K a year...So real crap money

To start off with, apprentice wages aren't flash...But if you are good at your trade, then you can start commanding good coin. Only thing is, generally you have to hop round a few workshops to begin with, before you start getting the big dollars.

Those that say, forget becoming a mechanic....What would happen if everyone had that attitude....Those that don't do their own sevicing will be stuffed, as there will be no mechanics.

Personally, if you have the opportunity to get a job as an apprentice, grab it...It's a job....Stick with it until you get the qualifications...Then you can decide whether to persue another career or stick with being a mechanic....

If you persue another carer and it turns to crap, you always have a qualification to fall back on and always have a job....

Nothing to sneeze at

[mike_nofx]

Originally Posted by svo supporter

I know car mechanics that earn 50K a year...So real crap money

I know, pretty bad right.