I turned 25 on Sunday. Took my car for balancing and alignment on Monday and asked about vacancies/apprenticeships while I waited. Got the best late birthday present ever today, when I called the garage and spoke with the manager again, and he offered me a trial day next Monday. I'm really hoping it goes well. I went to college almost five years ago and did my light vehicle qualifications (C&G level 3 and IMI level 1) and have been struggling to break into the trade ever since. Now I finally have a chance I am determined to do well.

Can anyone offer some advice/guidance? What to expect in a professional environment, as opposed to a college workshop?

I have a good sense of H&S and good common sense, so I think i'll do ok. Just excited and want to talk about it a bit to be honest.

The guy who owns the garage seems really down to earth and keen to have someone working for him who is actually interested in the technical side of things, as opposed to the ignorant, stupid little stbags the apprentice companies would send him, so we should get on well. I don't want to let him down and don't want to let myself down. Think i'm just a bit apprehensive since I haven't been in a workshop for two years+, and only done small jobs here and there.

Only piece of advice i remember getting from tutors was get jobs in and out as fast as possible to impress your employers. Making money will keep your job etc.

Cheers Mc it's sound advice. It's easy to get something simple wrong when you're thinking about 'bigger' problems.

Can you remember what sort of jobs you did early on, in the first few days/weeks?

What sort of jobs/experiences have you had in the last ten months?

I'm not a mechanic but work with mechanical things and use spanners, sockets, screwdrivers and allen keys etc...

I work with older people who love their trade and take pride in been good at it, I imagine good mechanics are the same.

If the lad you are working with/near says, "Oh, I could do with, XYZ." If you had XYZ within 5 seconds he would appreciate these things and mention it to his colleagues in the tea break or whatever.

The big jobs are easy, it's the little things that give you a good reputation.

Like I say though, that's how I've found it, as an apprentice, on a chemical site with experienced staff.

Don't worry about getting cars in/out quickly better to do it right instead of realising u forgot to tighten something up when its rattling to bits when the customer takes it home . also never be afraid to ask for help instead of breaking stuff . good luck

Congrats and all that.

Keep busy, if you're not working on a clients car, help another mechanic, watch and learn, be attentive holding inspection lamps. If there are no cars in the workshop, pick up a broom, sweep the floor, empty bins, clean the toilet. Pitch up prepared, overalls and proper footwear, safety specs. At the very least, a good quality set of screwdrivers, socket set and spanners. A notepad to make notes.

When you think you have completed a task, run over it again in your head just to make sure you have not missed something, this will save you a red face or even your job. When you don't have anything to do, ask for a job or pick up a brush.

Or hurting someone

All the best with it - I still miss being in the workshop...

Whilst not trying to cause an argument, but it shows that you work in IT with all that helpful touchy feely ste, do you all want a brew can I lick your boots etc.
Turn up on time
Do as you're told
Don't fk up

The bit I've quoted would have you marked down as a potential thief in most workshops.

Got everything, aww bless, how naive! (it will become an obsession!)

And remember, ask before you borrow tools! Put them back straight away in the same condition. Only purchase good quality tools as and when you can justify them. You may find that your boss is quite happy to lend you items until you are self-sufficient. But will wear thin very quickly if you are on the pizz every weekend yet ask to borrow his feeler gauges Monday morning!

Good luck!

It's all about how you word it and the timeframe. It's not about boot licking, just showing respect. Respect the fact that if your co-workers think you are a workshy dick then you might be out the door.

Yes I work in IT, but I have worked with people who turn up on time, do as they are told and try not to fk up... They also had NO interpersonal skills and would sit browsing the Internet rather than thinking about helping their busy colleagues around them. Clients and colleagues thought they were rude or arrogant. Turn up on time and do as you are told are two great bits of advice though, but don't limit yourself to that!

Once you have settled in and proven yourself not to be a toss piece/to be a hard worker, co-workers should be less cynical than to assume you are a thief.

I employ junior people and I am glad that they can come in and answer the phone at 8:30am so I do not have to stress about being stuck in traffic.