mechanic help.

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Discussion

waseemrafiq94

Original Poster:

85 posts

157 months

Tuesday 12th April 2011
quotequote all
hi everyone new here.

I'm 16 and wanting to get a apprenticeship in motor vehicle. Today a agency has called telling me there is a vacancy for a auto electrician available. Can anyone give me their experience of what the job is like day to day, thanks in advance. smile

rog007

5,761 posts

225 months

Thursday 14th April 2011
quotequote all
Assuming the agency is being paid for by the employer and not by you (be very careful here), then seriously think about going for the interview (against a backdrop of increasing unemployment of 16-24 year olds and worthwhile interview practice). Electrical is electrical (small, clean), as opposed to mechanical (oily, metal bits that usually go round and round). I know I've simplified it but you get the gist! Good luck!

deveng

3,917 posts

181 months

Friday 15th April 2011
quotequote all
You need be to very methodical and I'd strongly advise only going for it if you are already comfortable/confident with general electrical/circuit principles.

Old Merc

3,494 posts

168 months

Friday 15th April 2011
quotequote all
deveng said:
You need be to very methodical and I'd strongly advise only going for it if you are already comfortable/confident with general electrical/circuit principles.
I agree with the above but if you can get "into" all this your future with cars is endless.A master technician in a main dealer who can find his way round the electrical and electronic control systems of modern cars is a key man,and never gets his hands oily.

Old Merc

3,494 posts

168 months

Friday 15th April 2011
quotequote all
waseemrafiq94 said:
hi everyone new here.

I'm 16 and wanting to get a apprenticeship in motor vehicle. Today a agency has called telling me there is a vacancy for a auto electrician available. Can anyone give me their experience of what the job is like day to day, thanks in advance. smile
Have you considered manufacturer based apprenticeship programmes ? Just think any make of car,they all do it,get on-line and find out all about it.I researched it on-line for my work experience lads as the schools did not have a clue!!Its very very good for those who start,but you have to be good to be selected, 4 GCSE`s inc maths,science and English C & above for starters.

waseemrafiq94

Original Poster:

85 posts

157 months

Friday 15th April 2011
quotequote all
I applied to all dealers through their websites. I have 9 C's, 1 B, 2 D's. No one replied.

thanks for all the info guys.

waseemrafiq94

Original Poster:

85 posts

157 months

Friday 15th April 2011
quotequote all
I applied to all dealers through their websites. I have 9 C's, 1 B, 2 D's. No one replied.

thanks for all the info guys.

waseemrafiq94

Original Poster:

85 posts

157 months

Friday 15th April 2011
quotequote all
I applied to all dealers through their websites. I have 9 C's, 1 B, 2 D's. No one replied.

thanks for all the info guys.

Old Merc

3,494 posts

168 months

Friday 15th April 2011
quotequote all
waseemrafiq94 said:
I applied to all dealers through their websites. I have 9 C's, 1 B, 2 D's. No one replied.

thanks for all the info guys.
You apply direct to the manufacturer via the program,with those GCSE`s you should get an interview.If selected the manufacturer will find you a job at a Dealer and you will also spend time at the manufacturer`s school.I had a look at the BMW site and when the UK apprentices "pass out" at the end of the course they are taken to the BMW HQ in Germany as a reward trip.

waseemrafiq94

Original Poster:

85 posts

157 months

Wednesday 8th June 2011
quotequote all
the auto electrician is something i would not enjoy as i have spoken to someone who's in the trade.

what would sell my CV applying for a motor vehicle technician apprenticeship.

rog007

5,761 posts

225 months

Wednesday 8th June 2011
quotequote all
All the things you would wish to see in an employee if it were your own business; evidence of commitment, desire, ambition, honesty, timeliness, teamwork, some basic proven aptitude for chosen role etc, etc. Good luck!

Rich_W

12,548 posts

213 months

Wednesday 8th June 2011
quotequote all
waseemrafiq94 said:
the auto electrician is something i would not enjoy as i have spoken to someone who's in the trade.

what would sell my CV applying for a motor vehicle technician apprenticeship.
I would say probably 60-70% of work on cars these days has some kind of electrical element. If you really can't handle electrics you may need to consider that.

Robb F

4,570 posts

172 months

Wednesday 8th June 2011
quotequote all
Something which I believe helped a lot when I applied for my last two jobs was the 'portfolio' I put together of things I had done to my own cars, I sent photos in with my covering letter and CV, of things like my car in bits, finished articles such as my mint engine bay, entire interior out of my car etc etc, you get the idea.
Was a great talking point in interviews and was just something to get them thinking about me more than the next guy.

I found myself race prepping Ferrari's at 18 and am now an engineer at a science research facility at 20.

Experience + enthusiasm speaks louder than just enthusiasm.

good luck and PM me if you need anymore help.

waseemrafiq94

Original Poster:

85 posts

157 months

Thursday 9th June 2011
quotequote all
im not saying that i told like electrics, only that i enjoy the oily work more.

im after someone who can read my CV and point me into the right direction.

my plan is then to go around to my garages and ask them if they would take me on, or give me a trial.

Eric Mc

122,071 posts

266 months

Thursday 9th June 2011
quotequote all
Did your school/college not point you in the direction of where you could look for apprenticehip and/or training schemes?

Did you ask?

Robb F

4,570 posts

172 months

Thursday 9th June 2011
quotequote all
Also worth noting, whilst I never actually did it, I thought it was a good idea to volunteer down at a tuning garage or some such, just to gain more experience etc etc

waseemrafiq94

Original Poster:

85 posts

157 months

Friday 10th June 2011
quotequote all
im on a 12 week course, after that i get a IMI award and they start to help us looking for placements, but i want to get ahead a bit.

only one garage that i worked at for 5 weeks, said i can come down on saturday.

anyone from S.Yorkshire know a garage wanting a apprentice, please give us a shoutsmilebiggrin

K87

2,111 posts

188 months

Sunday 12th June 2011
quotequote all
Try any garages ask if you can pop down and help out. Trouble is these days with insurance though.

Maybe try the motorsport sections in here, ask if anyone wants pit help for trackdays or help prepping before events, theres plenty of people on here who compete or do trackdays who would welcome a hand.

When I was looking I was helping my mate build a rallycar, and co-driving for him, gave plenty to talk about in the interviews, and that was for office based engineering roles so would be even better for roles actually involving hands on work.

Where abouts are you located?

waseemrafiq94

Original Poster:

85 posts

157 months

Sunday 12th June 2011
quotequote all
K87 said:
Try any garages ask if you can pop down and help out. Trouble is these days with insurance though.

Maybe try the motorsport sections in here, ask if anyone wants pit help for trackdays or help prepping before events, theres plenty of people on here who compete or do trackdays who would welcome a hand.

When I was looking I was helping my mate build a rallycar, and co-driving for him, gave plenty to talk about in the interviews, and that was for office based engineering roles so would be even better for roles actually involving hands on work.

Where abouts are you located?
Sheffield.