Just turned 24. Advice to get into Mechanical Engineering.
Discussion
Hello everyone
This may sound similar to some threads posted recently but I am after some advice for myself.
Quick background about myself.
Foolishly I performed poor in school, due to not trying (didn't know what I wanted to do when I left)
Best grades were GCSE English and Maths C, the rest of my grades were D with a couple of E's.
Did apprenticeship for 2 years in plastering, it ended due to centre closure in my area combined with my last year working on site for a plasterer who was using me as cheap labour instead of plastering.
I then moved on to multiple dead end retail jobs and finally the last 2 years, I've worked for a large multi franchise car dealer as a parts advisor.
I have taught myself to work on cars, joinery, basic electrics and other numerous DIY tasks.
I love finding out how things work and I want to work ideally in a job using my hands.
I would like a career in Mechanical engineering, though some people may not class them as true engineering roles, I would ideally like to train as a maintenance/fitter, machinist or in fabrication.
Due to my grades, I know university isn't a option and from the looks of it, a lot of apprenticeships/traineeships
isn't either due to requiring 5 A-C GCSE grades minimum.
Would learning a mechanical engineering course at my local college be a good way to get into it?
I am just a bit wary at doing a course for a few years and once qualified, jobs being hard to come from it.
Would highly appreciate some advice from people in the same industry
Many thanks
Sam
This may sound similar to some threads posted recently but I am after some advice for myself.
Quick background about myself.
Foolishly I performed poor in school, due to not trying (didn't know what I wanted to do when I left)
Best grades were GCSE English and Maths C, the rest of my grades were D with a couple of E's.
Did apprenticeship for 2 years in plastering, it ended due to centre closure in my area combined with my last year working on site for a plasterer who was using me as cheap labour instead of plastering.
I then moved on to multiple dead end retail jobs and finally the last 2 years, I've worked for a large multi franchise car dealer as a parts advisor.
I have taught myself to work on cars, joinery, basic electrics and other numerous DIY tasks.
I love finding out how things work and I want to work ideally in a job using my hands.
I would like a career in Mechanical engineering, though some people may not class them as true engineering roles, I would ideally like to train as a maintenance/fitter, machinist or in fabrication.
Due to my grades, I know university isn't a option and from the looks of it, a lot of apprenticeships/traineeships
isn't either due to requiring 5 A-C GCSE grades minimum.
Would learning a mechanical engineering course at my local college be a good way to get into it?
I am just a bit wary at doing a course for a few years and once qualified, jobs being hard to come from it.
Would highly appreciate some advice from people in the same industry
Many thanks
Sam
Thanks for the replies everyone.
I have thought about retaking GCSES through night classes. However in my area, they only seem to offer maths and English, as science is difficult to examine due to coursework making up the majority of your grade.
I am sure there is a way to get them done though.
There does seem to be a number of apprentice positions through large energy, telecoms and shipping companies. I just need to pull my finger out, as I'm getting older than they prefer.
I haven't thought of the armed forces, I will investigate more.
If anyone still has more input, it's really appreciated.
I have thought about retaking GCSES through night classes. However in my area, they only seem to offer maths and English, as science is difficult to examine due to coursework making up the majority of your grade.
I am sure there is a way to get them done though.
There does seem to be a number of apprentice positions through large energy, telecoms and shipping companies. I just need to pull my finger out, as I'm getting older than they prefer.
I haven't thought of the armed forces, I will investigate more.
If anyone still has more input, it's really appreciated.
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