Starting a new job as an apprentice BMW technician
Discussion
I don't have any first hand experience in the trade, but it does seem to me to be a very hard gig, firstly as the tech is constantly changing - every few years some new innovation is coming into the market with its own issues so you must be constantly having to re-learn as things change, particularly on the electronics side of things.
Second point is that in this country I just don't think that the general population places any real value on car repairs / maintenance - it's very much seen as a necessary evil to keep the vehicle on the road for another year and to get it through an MOT, rather than something that people are happy to spend on to get skilled labour.
Having said that, as long as cars are around there will ALWAYS be a market for repairs - I doubt we will ever get to the stage where cars don't need servicing or repairs and even if the factories are fully automated, repair is a different matter.
Second point is that in this country I just don't think that the general population places any real value on car repairs / maintenance - it's very much seen as a necessary evil to keep the vehicle on the road for another year and to get it through an MOT, rather than something that people are happy to spend on to get skilled labour.
Having said that, as long as cars are around there will ALWAYS be a market for repairs - I doubt we will ever get to the stage where cars don't need servicing or repairs and even if the factories are fully automated, repair is a different matter.
Hi,
Apologies for the long post, not usually one to ramble, but subject close to my heart.
I did my apprenticeship at a Jaguar dealership after leaving school at 18, I got good enough grades for university but just wanted to get a job and was a little worried I’d get bored at university and drop out. My idea was do the apprenticeship and then get a job in the oil industry as a lot of friends had done this.
Just as I was finishing my apprenticeship I had a discussion about wages and training with my service manager and he was pretty negative about both. Sometimes if you stay somewhere after your apprenticeship you are always valued less.
I left for a BMW Autotecnic garage which was a specialist that was owned by the local dealer for more money and factory training from the start. BMW lot more logical than Jaguars to work on. After 2 years the dealership decided to close down the Autotecnic and amalgamated us into the local BMW dealer as they had just built a new dealership.
I decided to try it at the new dealership, little difficult at first, head down and got on with it, volunteered for any training going and any new model launch nights we were asked to help with, helped out sales at weekend, spoke to everybody in all departments of the dealership, you would be amazed at how many people just speak to their own department. I then got offered holiday relief cover for the mondial breakdown cover service car we operated at the dealer, so out and about meeting customers broken down / keys locked in cars. I then did the service car full time for 3 years as well as working in the dealership if not called out.
The breakdown service car was then given up by the dealership as Mondial wanted to operate their own technicians so I was asked to do workshop control instead, I did that for a couple of years, then decided to go back on the tools to try for my master technician assessments,(I was already a senior tech by this time).
I then had an opportunity to start up myself in a small garage in a good location so decided to give it a go.
I have been doing this for 10 years now and employ 6 people including 4 I used to work with.
In summary the 12 years I worked at the BMW dealership was very good, made a lot of friends, training was amazing, best in the world for manufacturers, they will be very good for the future electric / hydrogen. It will open doors into moving abroad or career changes altogether, if you can work in a BMW dealership you can work any where. If you have an interest in the product then it will never be boring. Try to get on with everyone, there is a lot of negative Nigels, but you don’t have to be one. Money is normally more than other garages, but might be low for 4-5 years till you prove yourself, but there could be overtime / weekend work going normally. There’s plenty of good cheap tools these days. Most dealerships will now do an apprenticeship tool buying scheme that you get vouchers to buy tools with. You were not need a big selection to start with anyway. Buy 2nd had tool boxes, never new!
But most of all, wear sun screen.
Apologies for the long post, not usually one to ramble, but subject close to my heart.
I did my apprenticeship at a Jaguar dealership after leaving school at 18, I got good enough grades for university but just wanted to get a job and was a little worried I’d get bored at university and drop out. My idea was do the apprenticeship and then get a job in the oil industry as a lot of friends had done this.
Just as I was finishing my apprenticeship I had a discussion about wages and training with my service manager and he was pretty negative about both. Sometimes if you stay somewhere after your apprenticeship you are always valued less.
I left for a BMW Autotecnic garage which was a specialist that was owned by the local dealer for more money and factory training from the start. BMW lot more logical than Jaguars to work on. After 2 years the dealership decided to close down the Autotecnic and amalgamated us into the local BMW dealer as they had just built a new dealership.
I decided to try it at the new dealership, little difficult at first, head down and got on with it, volunteered for any training going and any new model launch nights we were asked to help with, helped out sales at weekend, spoke to everybody in all departments of the dealership, you would be amazed at how many people just speak to their own department. I then got offered holiday relief cover for the mondial breakdown cover service car we operated at the dealer, so out and about meeting customers broken down / keys locked in cars. I then did the service car full time for 3 years as well as working in the dealership if not called out.
The breakdown service car was then given up by the dealership as Mondial wanted to operate their own technicians so I was asked to do workshop control instead, I did that for a couple of years, then decided to go back on the tools to try for my master technician assessments,(I was already a senior tech by this time).
I then had an opportunity to start up myself in a small garage in a good location so decided to give it a go.
I have been doing this for 10 years now and employ 6 people including 4 I used to work with.
In summary the 12 years I worked at the BMW dealership was very good, made a lot of friends, training was amazing, best in the world for manufacturers, they will be very good for the future electric / hydrogen. It will open doors into moving abroad or career changes altogether, if you can work in a BMW dealership you can work any where. If you have an interest in the product then it will never be boring. Try to get on with everyone, there is a lot of negative Nigels, but you don’t have to be one. Money is normally more than other garages, but might be low for 4-5 years till you prove yourself, but there could be overtime / weekend work going normally. There’s plenty of good cheap tools these days. Most dealerships will now do an apprenticeship tool buying scheme that you get vouchers to buy tools with. You were not need a big selection to start with anyway. Buy 2nd had tool boxes, never new!
But most of all, wear sun screen.
Good luck.
I did my 4year apprenticeship 40 years ago in an 'all makes garage' had to buy own tools, no sick pay or pension.
Left went to work for the AA, tools, van, sick pay and a pension. But got fed up and left
Went to work in various main dealers, Vauxhall, Ford, BMW, pretty much unachievable bonus schemes at most places, still no sick pay or pension built up a nice Snap on tool collection though.
I left the trade 23 years ago, after feeling undervalued and underpaid, and sick getting home dirty and giving up weekends to do 'private work' or viewing 2nd hand cars for freinds of freinds
Wouldn't go back.
I did my 4year apprenticeship 40 years ago in an 'all makes garage' had to buy own tools, no sick pay or pension.
Left went to work for the AA, tools, van, sick pay and a pension. But got fed up and left
Went to work in various main dealers, Vauxhall, Ford, BMW, pretty much unachievable bonus schemes at most places, still no sick pay or pension built up a nice Snap on tool collection though.
I left the trade 23 years ago, after feeling undervalued and underpaid, and sick getting home dirty and giving up weekends to do 'private work' or viewing 2nd hand cars for freinds of freinds
Wouldn't go back.
Edited by audikentman on Monday 22 November 12:19
My BMW indy is ex BMW, he did his time there and opened his own place up around the corner.
He is making an absolute killing as his quality of work is better + cheaper and he's fully integrated with the BMW servicing records.
Might not be fun for a few years but potentially could lay the groundwork for you to do the same in the future?
He is making an absolute killing as his quality of work is better + cheaper and he's fully integrated with the BMW servicing records.
Might not be fun for a few years but potentially could lay the groundwork for you to do the same in the future?
Edited by TheGreatDane on Monday 22 November 12:36
There's plenty of avenues that could open up to you.
I work in R+D for an OEM and a number of our technicians and engineers have started off at dealerships on apprenticeships and then moved jobs later to the OEM test workshops as technicians. Some then decide that a life of office based fun is for them and move to the engineering side, others move into the workshop management, others just enjoy working on and driving the cars on evaluations.
I work in R+D for an OEM and a number of our technicians and engineers have started off at dealerships on apprenticeships and then moved jobs later to the OEM test workshops as technicians. Some then decide that a life of office based fun is for them and move to the engineering side, others move into the workshop management, others just enjoy working on and driving the cars on evaluations.
Apologies I’ve been reading all of the replies here but new accounts are restricted to posting within the first 24 hours. Appreciate the input from everyone.
The world of being a mechanic seems to be quite polarising but glad to know some enjoy it, even if the wages aren’t always worth it. The prospect of opening an independent garage is something that I’ll have to think about after getting a good few years of experience under my belt, if the career works out for me. That said I don’t exactly live in a thriving part of the country so not sure what the demand would be for a BMW specialist garage in my area. @Audikentman I’m sorry to hear about the way things went, that’s the usual story I read about when I look up what life is like as a mechanic, luckily the company I’m going to be working for offers a pension scheme at the very least
As for @scott10005 that sounds very promising, I guess like any job the place of work can really determine the mileage. Good to know they offer top class training too, part of the apprenticeship involves block release training at BMWs own academy so that’ll be eye opening.
@Super7, I had my eyes on a similar kit, a 200pc set with 1/4”, 3/8” and 1/2” ratchets and a good range of sockets, shallow and deep for each size; a breaker bar, extensions, adapters, hex, torx, etorx and spline sockets as well as wheel nut sockets, sockets for spark plugs and a decent range of ratcheting wrenches. Of course, I’m not really sure how all of this will weigh up in a practical sense, I expect I’ll be borrowing my mentors tools for a month or two before I invest anyway and I’ll see what I’m told. That set was from the Halfords Advanced range and included a lifetime warranty, all for just over £300. I looked for a similar set from Snap On which was pushing £2K!
The world of being a mechanic seems to be quite polarising but glad to know some enjoy it, even if the wages aren’t always worth it. The prospect of opening an independent garage is something that I’ll have to think about after getting a good few years of experience under my belt, if the career works out for me. That said I don’t exactly live in a thriving part of the country so not sure what the demand would be for a BMW specialist garage in my area. @Audikentman I’m sorry to hear about the way things went, that’s the usual story I read about when I look up what life is like as a mechanic, luckily the company I’m going to be working for offers a pension scheme at the very least
As for @scott10005 that sounds very promising, I guess like any job the place of work can really determine the mileage. Good to know they offer top class training too, part of the apprenticeship involves block release training at BMWs own academy so that’ll be eye opening. @Super7, I had my eyes on a similar kit, a 200pc set with 1/4”, 3/8” and 1/2” ratchets and a good range of sockets, shallow and deep for each size; a breaker bar, extensions, adapters, hex, torx, etorx and spline sockets as well as wheel nut sockets, sockets for spark plugs and a decent range of ratcheting wrenches. Of course, I’m not really sure how all of this will weigh up in a practical sense, I expect I’ll be borrowing my mentors tools for a month or two before I invest anyway and I’ll see what I’m told. That set was from the Halfords Advanced range and included a lifetime warranty, all for just over £300. I looked for a similar set from Snap On which was pushing £2K!
bearman68 said:
I agree with pretty much everything above, but I have never worn sun screen in the workshop. I can absolutely assure you it's not required in our workshop at any rate.
Sometimes the nuance of humour is lost in an online forum! 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTJ7AzBIJoI
I work for a manufacturer, not on the mechanical side, but have many colleagues in that field who have done well in life, including many who have gone through the BMW route - industry leading training.
My local indies are both factory trained and I know two blokes in their early thirties who have recently set up solo workshops, both seem to be doing well. They are Gen Z's, engaged with social media, lots of cars that comes into the workshop gets the 'this is what we did' treatment, which is interesting for a PHer, and also drives engagement - people trust them when they can 'see' their work. Both seem to be doing very well.
I think you are getting into it at a great time. ICE engines, although being phased out, will be around for some time. EVs are the future, getting in now and trained by a manufacturer is going to be a strong, marketable skill to have at your age. Drivetrains aside, cars still have lots of mechanical components that require replacement, it will remain an interesting profession for those who like to tinker.
Obviously I hope as the newbie you get sent for a long weight, some tartan paint, a left-handed screwdriver and some spirit level bubbles!
My local indies are both factory trained and I know two blokes in their early thirties who have recently set up solo workshops, both seem to be doing well. They are Gen Z's, engaged with social media, lots of cars that comes into the workshop gets the 'this is what we did' treatment, which is interesting for a PHer, and also drives engagement - people trust them when they can 'see' their work. Both seem to be doing very well.
I think you are getting into it at a great time. ICE engines, although being phased out, will be around for some time. EVs are the future, getting in now and trained by a manufacturer is going to be a strong, marketable skill to have at your age. Drivetrains aside, cars still have lots of mechanical components that require replacement, it will remain an interesting profession for those who like to tinker.
Obviously I hope as the newbie you get sent for a long weight, some tartan paint, a left-handed screwdriver and some spirit level bubbles!
A relative of mine works for a local dealer, they've been there since they left school a reasonable amount of time ago.
It would be seen as a lesser manufacturer than say BMW, but the pay seems decent (for the area of the country we live in).
Plenty of scope to earn bonus, which is apparently straight forward & easily attainable every month.
Allowed to do private work on the ramp etc. which tops up the rainy day fund.
Tools wise, tool set has been built up over time since leaving school.
Whilst they appreciate they'll never be a millionaire, they're certainly not short of cash either.
It would be seen as a lesser manufacturer than say BMW, but the pay seems decent (for the area of the country we live in).
Plenty of scope to earn bonus, which is apparently straight forward & easily attainable every month.
Allowed to do private work on the ramp etc. which tops up the rainy day fund.
Tools wise, tool set has been built up over time since leaving school.
Whilst they appreciate they'll never be a millionaire, they're certainly not short of cash either.
I’m in a similar part of the country where quite honestly you’re doing well if you’re hitting the top end of £20K. Money wasn’t even a concern for me to be honest when I started looking into the industry and those kind of apprenticeships, but everyone else close to me has been very vocal in expressing how hopeless wages are for me mechanics, hence why I posted here. As someone else said, there are Negative Nigel’s everywhere but you don’t have to be one. I’ve seen a reasonable amount of optimism that tells me there’s a half-decent career and potential for earning good money if the work suits me. If nothing esle, I’m enthusiastic even if I don’t have a clue what I’m doing so hopefully that’ll count for something
I'm not in the trade but will get dirty with my cars and bikes from time to time. A complete amateur to be honest but if I had my time again........
Go for it fella. You'll learn a very useful trade that you can use all over the country or even abroad.
I'm sure the wages won't be brilliant at first but you'll be learning and picking up new skills.
As others have said, you don't have to work for a dealership for ever, just aim to be your own boss and you could be charging £100 an hour not them charging the customer £150 an hour and handing you a fraction of it.
Interesting to hear that apprentices have to own their own tools. No wonder mechanics give me a funny look when I ask to borrow their spanners
Go for it fella. You'll learn a very useful trade that you can use all over the country or even abroad.
I'm sure the wages won't be brilliant at first but you'll be learning and picking up new skills.
As others have said, you don't have to work for a dealership for ever, just aim to be your own boss and you could be charging £100 an hour not them charging the customer £150 an hour and handing you a fraction of it.
Interesting to hear that apprentices have to own their own tools. No wonder mechanics give me a funny look when I ask to borrow their spanners
Cheers! To be honest I’m yet to to be told I need my own tools but a pal of mine works on bikes in the same dealership and he had to buy his own, that said he just got a cheap kit. The fact that you have to buy your own tools definitely deters a lot of people, especially when you’re earning £4.36 an hour. I try and see it as an investment that I hope to christ will pay off as opposed to being shafted!
You'll need your own tools, as most mechanics (me included) rarely lend tools for fear of nit getting them back, especially when you are earning a living from them, and not cheap to buy.
Still have all my snap on kit from my mechanic days, enjoyed actually fixing problems, and got a lot of job satisfaction from doing it, but there was the issue of poor wages, and the bonus /incentive scheme was great to top up wages, but it wasn't an honest way of doing it, was the main reason I left the trade in early 2000's.
Next 20 years on the railways, its just bigger nuts and bolts, very good DB pension, sick pay (full) and great shift pattern, although long shifts, meant really only worked half the year, and I retired at 55 early this year.
Would I be a mechanic again, if I was young and starting out? I was, and still am very mechanically interested, and as i said got a lot of satisfaction from the job, and until the end, for 20 years, it was probably an enjoyable time, if the wages and associated perks were comparable to other trades, then yes I probably would, mechanics just don't seem to he appreciated and recognized work wise, if that's changed over the years, and you have set your mind to go for it, then why not, and i hope you do very well.
Still have all my snap on kit from my mechanic days, enjoyed actually fixing problems, and got a lot of job satisfaction from doing it, but there was the issue of poor wages, and the bonus /incentive scheme was great to top up wages, but it wasn't an honest way of doing it, was the main reason I left the trade in early 2000's.
Next 20 years on the railways, its just bigger nuts and bolts, very good DB pension, sick pay (full) and great shift pattern, although long shifts, meant really only worked half the year, and I retired at 55 early this year.
Would I be a mechanic again, if I was young and starting out? I was, and still am very mechanically interested, and as i said got a lot of satisfaction from the job, and until the end, for 20 years, it was probably an enjoyable time, if the wages and associated perks were comparable to other trades, then yes I probably would, mechanics just don't seem to he appreciated and recognized work wise, if that's changed over the years, and you have set your mind to go for it, then why not, and i hope you do very well.
rigga said:
You'll need your own tools, as most mechanics (me included) rarely lend tools for fear of nit getting them back, especially when you are earning a living from them, and not cheap to buy.
Still have all my snap on kit from my mechanic days, enjoyed actually fixing problems, and got a lot of job satisfaction from doing it, but there was the issue of poor wages, and the bonus /incentive scheme was great to top up wages, but it wasn't an honest way of doing it, was the main reason I left the trade in early 2000's.
Next 20 years on the railways, its just bigger nuts and bolts, very good DB pension, sick pay (full) and great shift pattern, although long shifts, meant really only worked half the year, and I retired at 55 early this year.
Would I be a mechanic again, if I was young and starting out? I was, and still am very mechanically interested, and as i said got a lot of satisfaction from the job, and until the end, for 20 years, it was probably an enjoyable time, if the wages and associated perks were comparable to other trades, then yes I probably would, mechanics just don't seem to he appreciated and recognized work wise, if that's changed over the years, and you have set your mind to go for it, then why not, and i hope you do very well.
Great insight, much appreciated! Job satisfaction is massive for me but as you get older obviously it doesn’t always cut it. As you said about going to work on the railways, I kind of see getting into the trade as an investment in itself. I suppose that way if I end up disliking if, at least I’ve set myself up well with a mechanical background and after a few years can look for other jobs or industries which require similar skill sets but might pay better. Still have all my snap on kit from my mechanic days, enjoyed actually fixing problems, and got a lot of job satisfaction from doing it, but there was the issue of poor wages, and the bonus /incentive scheme was great to top up wages, but it wasn't an honest way of doing it, was the main reason I left the trade in early 2000's.
Next 20 years on the railways, its just bigger nuts and bolts, very good DB pension, sick pay (full) and great shift pattern, although long shifts, meant really only worked half the year, and I retired at 55 early this year.
Would I be a mechanic again, if I was young and starting out? I was, and still am very mechanically interested, and as i said got a lot of satisfaction from the job, and until the end, for 20 years, it was probably an enjoyable time, if the wages and associated perks were comparable to other trades, then yes I probably would, mechanics just don't seem to he appreciated and recognized work wise, if that's changed over the years, and you have set your mind to go for it, then why not, and i hope you do very well.
Hasn’t really been mentioned here, so it’s a bit out of context, but I see the point often being made that sometimes you’re just better off stacking shelves for £10/hour rather than struggling by as a mechanic. Once you’ve been there done that, and all the other b
s that comes with trying to supervise and manage a store within retail, there’s a lot to be said for a job that pays less or similar but gives you a lot more satisfaction and actually involves engaging your brain. I was offered a sales position with a starting salary of £22K prior to accepting this apprenticeship offer, but turned it down because I didn’t feel interested in the slightest. I’m saying this just to illustrate my point that, for all I inquired about wages and they are important in the long run, it’s not something that keeps me awake at night. rigga said:
You'll need your own tools, as most mechanics (me included) rarely lend tools for fear of nit getting them back, especially when you are earning a living from them, and not cheap to buy.
Still have all my snap on kit from my mechanic days, enjoyed actually fixing problems, and got a lot of job satisfaction from doing it, but there was the issue of poor wages, and the bonus /incentive scheme was great to top up wages, but it wasn't an honest way of doing it, was the main reason I left the trade in early 2000's.
Next 20 years on the railways, its just bigger nuts and bolts, very good DB pension, sick pay (full) and great shift pattern, although long shifts, meant really only worked half the year, and I retired at 55 early this year.
Would I be a mechanic again, if I was young and starting out? I was, and still am very mechanically interested, and as i said got a lot of satisfaction from the job, and until the end, for 20 years, it was probably an enjoyable time, if the wages and associated perks were comparable to other trades, then yes I probably would, mechanics just don't seem to he appreciated and recognized work wise, if that's changed over the years, and you have set your mind to go for it, then why not, and i hope you do very well.
Very interesting thanks (genuinely)Still have all my snap on kit from my mechanic days, enjoyed actually fixing problems, and got a lot of job satisfaction from doing it, but there was the issue of poor wages, and the bonus /incentive scheme was great to top up wages, but it wasn't an honest way of doing it, was the main reason I left the trade in early 2000's.
Next 20 years on the railways, its just bigger nuts and bolts, very good DB pension, sick pay (full) and great shift pattern, although long shifts, meant really only worked half the year, and I retired at 55 early this year.
Would I be a mechanic again, if I was young and starting out? I was, and still am very mechanically interested, and as i said got a lot of satisfaction from the job, and until the end, for 20 years, it was probably an enjoyable time, if the wages and associated perks were comparable to other trades, then yes I probably would, mechanics just don't seem to he appreciated and recognized work wise, if that's changed over the years, and you have set your mind to go for it, then why not, and i hope you do very well.
(Not so genuinely) - do you still have to get your own tools for railways? Where do you keep all the massive spanners?
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