Trying to gain an apprenticeship in classic car restoration
Discussion
Hi,
Apologies for clambering into this fantastic part of Pistonheads without a proper introduction... I'm a local to Norwich 25 year old die-hard petrolhead wanting to change careers and get into car restoration.
I have been struggling to find a garage that's willing to take me (an older self-funding apprentice) on so I can gain a Level 2 / 3 NVQ or equivalent as an auto / motorcycle technician, body shop repair or car restoration.
I don't wish to clog up this post with my previous practical experience that I have gained, but I do have quite a mix! It ranges from some motorsport stuff as a nipper to engine rebuilds, body prepping and some diagnostics in between. PM me if you would like to know more.
Do you or do you know of anyone who would be able to help me or perhaps point me in the right direction? It's more who you know then what you know at this point!
Thank-you.
Apologies for clambering into this fantastic part of Pistonheads without a proper introduction... I'm a local to Norwich 25 year old die-hard petrolhead wanting to change careers and get into car restoration.
I have been struggling to find a garage that's willing to take me (an older self-funding apprentice) on so I can gain a Level 2 / 3 NVQ or equivalent as an auto / motorcycle technician, body shop repair or car restoration.
I don't wish to clog up this post with my previous practical experience that I have gained, but I do have quite a mix! It ranges from some motorsport stuff as a nipper to engine rebuilds, body prepping and some diagnostics in between. PM me if you would like to know more.
Do you or do you know of anyone who would be able to help me or perhaps point me in the right direction? It's more who you know then what you know at this point!
Thank-you.
Edited by drophead on Thursday 13th August 22:52
Good luck with your search.... Didn't you post this somewhere else at some point ??
The first company that came to mind was these folks, as they are within 1/2 hr of you.
http://www.jaymic.com/classicbmw/default.asp
You could also try phoning Clive Manvers...
http://www.manverstriumph.com/
I have had plenty of dealings with Clive and he may be able to point you to someone, if not take you on. ( He is a tight git though !!
)
The first company that came to mind was these folks, as they are within 1/2 hr of you.
http://www.jaymic.com/classicbmw/default.asp
You could also try phoning Clive Manvers...
http://www.manverstriumph.com/
I have had plenty of dealings with Clive and he may be able to point you to someone, if not take you on. ( He is a tight git though !!
)Have you considered the excellent course at the Colchester Institute? https://www.colchester.ac.uk/courses/in/motorcycle...
Have you had a look at the FBHVC apprenticeship scheme? http://www.fbhvc.co.uk/trade-and-skills/apprentice...
drophead said:
Hi,
Apologies for clambering into this fantastic part of Pistonheads with a proper introduction... I'm a local to Norwich 25 year old die-hard petrolhead wanting to change careers and get into car restoration.
I have been struggling to find a garage that's willing to take me (an older self-funding apprentice) on so I can gain a Level 2 / 3 NVQ or equivalent as an auto / motorcycle technician, body shop repair or car restoration.
I don't wish to clog up this post with my previous practical experience that I have gained, but I do have quite a mix! It ranges from some motorsport stuff as a nipper to engine rebuilds, body prepping and some diagnostics in between. PM me if you would like to know more.
Do you or do you know of anyone who would be able to help me or perhaps point me in the right direction? It's more who you know then what you know at this point!
Thank-you.
Not trying to be the profit of doom drophead, but the problem is you are slightly too old to qualify for the apprentice scheme, at least that's how it is up here, I don't know if England is any different. Apologies for clambering into this fantastic part of Pistonheads with a proper introduction... I'm a local to Norwich 25 year old die-hard petrolhead wanting to change careers and get into car restoration.
I have been struggling to find a garage that's willing to take me (an older self-funding apprentice) on so I can gain a Level 2 / 3 NVQ or equivalent as an auto / motorcycle technician, body shop repair or car restoration.
I don't wish to clog up this post with my previous practical experience that I have gained, but I do have quite a mix! It ranges from some motorsport stuff as a nipper to engine rebuilds, body prepping and some diagnostics in between. PM me if you would like to know more.
Do you or do you know of anyone who would be able to help me or perhaps point me in the right direction? It's more who you know then what you know at this point!
Thank-you.
We started a lad a few months ago and, sadly, we had dozens of applications for the job. A lot of people out there looking for this kind of work. Having said that, your experience counts for a great deal in my book, and if you're going to self fund you should be able to get a start somewhere.
You might need to move to another area if you are really keen on doing this and you can't find a company near you. What you're trying to do isn't easy to get into, but hope you make it. Best of luck.
J
First thing I'd be looking at is recognised qualifications. An actual apprenticeship at ages 25 is nigh on difficult because the employer won't receive any funding.
Anyway, I'd recommend something that's recognised and on the QCF. This, for example... http://www.imiawards.org.uk/Qualifications/IMIAL-L...
Anyway, I'd recommend something that's recognised and on the QCF. This, for example... http://www.imiawards.org.uk/Qualifications/IMIAL-L...
NCC unlikely to hold your interest and the IMI Awards courses very vanilla ( just stopped delivering L2 and L3 this July).
Your age, as mentioned by others, goes against you due to the adult learning budget getting smashed. Any college courses now cost unless you are U/E.
If you are mobile and not tied to Norwich, I'd look at Bicester Heritage.
Your age, as mentioned by others, goes against you due to the adult learning budget getting smashed. Any college courses now cost unless you are U/E.
If you are mobile and not tied to Norwich, I'd look at Bicester Heritage.
kurt535 said:
NCC unlikely to hold your interest and the IMI Awards courses very vanilla ( just stopped delivering L2 and L3 this July).
Your age, as mentioned by others, goes against you due to the adult learning budget getting smashed. Any college courses now cost unless you are U/E.
If you are mobile and not tied to Norwich, I'd look at Bicester Heritage.
That's a little sad to hear about the IMI Awards.Your age, as mentioned by others, goes against you due to the adult learning budget getting smashed. Any college courses now cost unless you are U/E.
If you are mobile and not tied to Norwich, I'd look at Bicester Heritage.
I don't really care about how much it'll cost, I just care about getting my foot through the door! It is proving rather frustrating.
Thank-you for the heads up on Bicester Heritage, I'll take a look.
kurt535 said:
Correction to my statement; I stopped delivering L1 and L2 - not NCC!! The greatest demand I know of in all things classic is body repairs. People who can panel beat and roll aluminium appear to be at a distinct premium.
Cheers, will look into body repair. There's a local Porsche specialist that deal with mainly bodywork, they told me that they'll be hiring an apprentice in a few months.kurt535 said:
Drophead!
how did you get on??
Kurt! Thanks for asking!how did you get on??
Ok so I spoke to the Porsche garage and they currently do not have the room for me to join. However they are moving to a bigger premises in 4-5 months time. I talked to him about me getting some bar work and keeping in contact with each other so when he moves I can start straight away, but as nothing is in writing and things can change, it's a bit of a rocky situation to depend on. I will talk to him after Pebble Beach as he has a few cars going there so its an easy way to start a conversation. I would love to work for this place!
I also have an interview at a classic car garage on the 24th. He already has an apprentice but he is so busy he wants someone that can pick stuff up quickly and who has some experience working on classic cars. I said I was prepared to put my all into it if he gave me the chance.
Finally, (going in a slightly different direction) I have applied for a course at MidKent college doing an IMI Level 2 Diploma in Motorsport Vehicle Maintenance and Repair. I am at this very moment completing an assignment that I need to bring with me to an assessment / interview which is next Monday. The idea behind this is that I can get work experience with local race teams whilst I complete the course which will hopefully open doors for me when I finish next year. There is a possibility that I could end up working with a classic racing team since this part of Motorsport is booming. This will depend on how many motorsport contacts the course has and what prospects students have when they leave. The last thing I want to do is do this course and then struggle to find work as its a specialised course. I will also be doing the course with a load of teenagers; hopefully our shared love of all things auto means I'm bearable to them and they're bearable to me!
Either way, keeping my fingers and toes crossed for the rest of August! I feel like I've actually got somewhere but I've still so far to go!
I did a classic car restoration course at Leeds City College about two years ago. Its something that I had always been keen on, but only realised they offered such a course when I chanced upon a stand at the NEC classic car show. I dropped my working hours down and started attending three days a week. It taught me paint prep, spraying, welding, fabrication, basic mechanics, albeit not as in depth as I'd have liked, but a-lot of it had to be condensed as originally it was a two year course. (City & Guilds)
I'll be honest, it was a lot to squeeze in to such a small time frame and it certainly wasn't enough to enable me to make a go of being self employed. I finished in high spirits, but honestly, up North the opportunities were thin on the ground and the lack of any direction afterwards really killed my motivation. Nobody wanted a semi-useless apprentice, and a lot of the smaller firms wouldn't touch an apprenticeship or just weren't interested. And not for lack of trying, either.
That being said one of the other young lads made an impression on a local Maserati restoration firm (in Bucks) and has been working for them ever since. But it really depends on what is around you and how much you are willing to maybe travel, or re-locate. There certainly seemed more work down south than up here. The jobs are out there though. My age, and my circumstance didn't really help me in hindsight I guess.
Just keep sending bugging companies, local firms, anything. If you want to ask any questions just drop me a PM.
I'll be honest, it was a lot to squeeze in to such a small time frame and it certainly wasn't enough to enable me to make a go of being self employed. I finished in high spirits, but honestly, up North the opportunities were thin on the ground and the lack of any direction afterwards really killed my motivation. Nobody wanted a semi-useless apprentice, and a lot of the smaller firms wouldn't touch an apprenticeship or just weren't interested. And not for lack of trying, either.
That being said one of the other young lads made an impression on a local Maserati restoration firm (in Bucks) and has been working for them ever since. But it really depends on what is around you and how much you are willing to maybe travel, or re-locate. There certainly seemed more work down south than up here. The jobs are out there though. My age, and my circumstance didn't really help me in hindsight I guess.
Just keep sending bugging companies, local firms, anything. If you want to ask any questions just drop me a PM.
Edited by Jimmy No Hands on Tuesday 25th August 19:39
Jimmy No Hands said:
I did a classic car restoration course at Leeds City College about two years ago. Its something that I had always been keen on, but only realised they offered such a course when I chanced upon a stand at the NEC classic car show. I dropped my working hours down and started attending three days a week. It taught me paint prep, spraying, welding, fabrication, basic mechanics, albeit not as in depth as I'd have liked, but a-lot of it had to be condensed as originally it was a two year course. (City & Guilds)
I'll be honest, it was a lot to squeeze in to such a small time frame and it certainly wasn't enough to enable me to make a go of being self employed. I finished in high spirits, but honestly, up North the opportunities were thin on the ground and the lack of any direction afterwards really killed my motivation. Nobody wanted a semi-useless apprentice, and a lot of the smaller firms wouldn't touch an apprenticeship or just weren't interested. And not for lack of trying, either.
That being said one of the other young lads made an impression on a local Maserati restoration firm (in Bucks) and has been working for them ever since. But it really depends on what is around you and how much you are willing to maybe travel, or re-locate. There certainly seemed more work down south than up here. The jobs are out there though. My age, and my circumstance didn't really help me in hindsight I guess.
Just keep sending bugging companies, local firms, anything. If you want to ask any questions just drop me a PM.
Thanks for sharing. Appreciate it. I have found it hard to get the workshops interested, most of them just seem surprised that there are young people genuinely interested in classic cars and not just gaining a qualification. It's been tough but like you said, I'll keep on bugging places until I find someone willing to take me on!I'll be honest, it was a lot to squeeze in to such a small time frame and it certainly wasn't enough to enable me to make a go of being self employed. I finished in high spirits, but honestly, up North the opportunities were thin on the ground and the lack of any direction afterwards really killed my motivation. Nobody wanted a semi-useless apprentice, and a lot of the smaller firms wouldn't touch an apprenticeship or just weren't interested. And not for lack of trying, either.
That being said one of the other young lads made an impression on a local Maserati restoration firm (in Bucks) and has been working for them ever since. But it really depends on what is around you and how much you are willing to maybe travel, or re-locate. There certainly seemed more work down south than up here. The jobs are out there though. My age, and my circumstance didn't really help me in hindsight I guess.
Just keep sending bugging companies, local firms, anything. If you want to ask any questions just drop me a PM.
Edited by Jimmy No Hands on Tuesday 25th August 19:39
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