Job options for mechanics who don't want to be mechanics

[Greasedupdeafguy]

I have been a mechanic now for coming up 5 years, I did my apprenticeship, so have a Level 3 NVQ in vehicle maintenance and repair. I've always loved cars and I enjoy working on them. (even though they can test your patience) I work at an independent garage fixing most things except HGV, at this place there is zero chance of promotion as its a family run type business. Where I live garages are a plenty so opening my own garage would not be viable, also with a little one on the way, financially I wouldn't be able to do this either. Getting a dealership job would perhaps increase my salary slightly but it would not be beneficial to me because I would have to travel at least 15 miles each way because I live in the sticks and I work about 2 miles away from my house so I have no travel expenses, etc. (The 160k 330ci rust bucket would have to go if I had to travel ) Plus, I am a retained fireman available to go from work to emergencies and moving job would create a bit of a ballache with this, so the job salary would have to be more combined, bit confusing.

Bit about myself, worked on my own cars since 17, built budget drift cars, built an impreza type R rally car, I can weld and I'm not so bad at painting. Im currently 24yo, got great grades at high school, went to sixth form and did German A level and Forensic Science (dunno WTF i was thinking here, when I had to choose what to do I was away in Germany for 4 weeks so didn't give it too much thought unfortunately). Got great grades at sixth form, worked with my dad as a landscaper briefly, then started apprenticeship for being a mechanic. In hind sight I should have gone to Uni, however... I can't stand sitting in classrooms, I like working with my hands. I've bought a house with the girlfriend, and we are expecting our first child. We have a 2005 120d (for her) and I have a proper shed of a 330ci, which I just love and I don't know why. Enough about me though, you don't wanna hear it


What I am basically asking is... what direction can I go? Have any others had similar experiences? I would like to do an engineering qualification of sort but I would have no idea where to start.

any help much appreciated.

Edited by Greasedupdeafguy on Tuesday 26th January 00:02

[Greasedupdeafguy]

I'm based on the fylde coast, in the middle of Lancaster/Preston/Blackpool area. Mature apprenticeship sounds like a good shout, aerospace or somewhere similar would be ideal, I will have a research after work. Do you know by any chance what typical pay would be for an apprenticeship like this? Thanks

[Greasedupdeafguy]

Mechanics isn't a bad job, it's good and rewarding when you've done a big job and everything works as it should in the end. But it's just that I can feel myself getting in a rut :-D and I want to get out of the rut before I'm stuck there. If you get dab hand at car electrics you will defo be able to get a job in mechanicing! True though... There are perks to the job, the use of a ramp when fixing your own cars and doing foreigners is a god send :-D

How did he manage to go from landscaper to equity trader? Sounds like a good story there!

Seems to be a few advanced/higher apprenticeships about, best get a CV started and see what happens.