Looking for a mechanic apprenticeship.
Discussion
I have been looking for mechanic apprenticeships for several months now as I have decided that I want to be a mechanic. The problem is that the moment they hear my age and experience I get turned down immediately because I am 33 years old and have absolutely no experience in anything mechanical or electrical. I was a classical ballet dancer and have recently retired, so it would be a big career change for me but I am passionate about cars and want to work with cars for the rest of my life.
I only learnt to drive two years ago. Until then I did not know cars existed (metaphorically speaking), but ever since I learnt to drive I have been hooked. I feel like I have discovered the best toy in the world in my adulthood.
So this is my problem. The UK government pays fully for apprentices between 16~18 years old and pays half for 19~25 year olds, which is the biggest reason no employer wants me. It is understandable that employers would want to have 16 year olds who have worked on cars with their fathers since the age of 7 and for whom the government pays. I didn't grow up in an environment where I had the chance to discover cars at a young age, but 33 is still young enough and I still think I have a lot to offer. I just need a chance.
Does anybody know a way around this problem?
I only learnt to drive two years ago. Until then I did not know cars existed (metaphorically speaking), but ever since I learnt to drive I have been hooked. I feel like I have discovered the best toy in the world in my adulthood.
So this is my problem. The UK government pays fully for apprentices between 16~18 years old and pays half for 19~25 year olds, which is the biggest reason no employer wants me. It is understandable that employers would want to have 16 year olds who have worked on cars with their fathers since the age of 7 and for whom the government pays. I didn't grow up in an environment where I had the chance to discover cars at a young age, but 33 is still young enough and I still think I have a lot to offer. I just need a chance.
Does anybody know a way around this problem?
Edited by Omshanti on Thursday 26th July 21:55
Omshanti said:
I have been looking for a mechanic apprenticeship for several months now as I have decided that I want to be a mechanic. The problem is that the moment they hear my age and experience I get turned down immediately because I am 33 years old and have absolutely no experience in anything mechanical or electrical. I was a classical ballet dancer and have recently retired, so it would be a big carrer change for me but I am passionate about cars and want to work with cars for the rest of my life. I only lernt to drive two years ago. Until then I did know cars existed (metaphorically speaking), but ever since I learnt to drive I have been hooked. I feel like I have discovered the best toy in the world in my adulthood.
So this is my problem. The UK government pays fully for apprentices between 16~18 years old and pays half for 19~25 year olds, which is the biggest reason no employer wants me. It is understandable that employers would want to have 16 year olds who have worked on cars with their fathers since the age of 7 and for whom the government pays. I didn't grow up in an environment where I had the chance to discover cars at a young age, but 33 is still young enough and I still think I have a lot to offer.
Does anybody know a way around this problem?
THE MOD or rather Defence Support Group, who used to be Armed Forced Repair and Overhaul in Telford do an Adult apprenticeship, but you'd end up learning to repair weapons and tanks, sorry Armed Fighting Vehicles. So this is my problem. The UK government pays fully for apprentices between 16~18 years old and pays half for 19~25 year olds, which is the biggest reason no employer wants me. It is understandable that employers would want to have 16 year olds who have worked on cars with their fathers since the age of 7 and for whom the government pays. I didn't grow up in an environment where I had the chance to discover cars at a young age, but 33 is still young enough and I still think I have a lot to offer.
Does anybody know a way around this problem?
Why don't you walk into every garage in a 50 mile radius and ask. Also connections have an adult careers section, so they might help.
Omshanti said:
I was a classical ballet dancer and have recently retired, so it would be a big career change for me
Forgive me for focusing on this point, but the career change would be effectively complete polar opposites. Are you sure you want to make that much of a shift without any experience of the role whatsoever?My advice would be to approach some local firms and ask them whether you could observe or possibly get some initial information from some senior mechanics to start you off, and allow you some time to consider just what it would take to start off.
Given the lack of experience and age, you will likely be hard pushed to find an apprenticeship. It may be a long shot, but BMW/Mercedes/VW all have apprentice programmes, so it may be worth calling/enquiring online to see what the entry requirements are, as this could be a good path into the industry if you were accepted.
I hate to say it, as I'm all for people upping sticks and trying something different, but you're at a disadvantage with the large number of teenagers leaving school and going into this industry, who will effectively benefit their teaching employer a lot more at that age. Don't give up though, have a look at some of the big brand apprentice programmes or approach some people for advice and see how you get on.
As you may have already realised and to be slightly rude, your too old! The government pays for apprenticeships and will only fund upto a certain age which when I did mine was about 21, so your left in the situation at your age you'd have to self fund which unfortunately is very expensive.
Thank you everyone for your replies.
I am 100% sure this is what I want to do. My second car is a Porsche 924 which needs a lot of work doing. I have been tinkering with it on my own and I am loving it. In fact it was this which made me realise what I wanted to do with my life.
I have tried all the major manufacturers' apprenticeship programmes but they are all looking for 16 year olds and I am out of the question. Even Caterham who were reported to be struggling to find apprentices within today's youth don't accept anyone older.
I have tried the Ministry of Defence as well. I took their two and half hour test which I found to be quite difficult as some of the sections required previous knowledge and experience. Even though I probably scored terribly in some of the sections due to this factor, I managed to pass it somehow (I love maths and am good with my hands, which probably helped a lot) and was invited for an interview. However, I was unsuccessful in the interview. I was absolutely gutted after that as it was the only chance I had. The Ministry of Defence pays a proper full salary for the apprenticeship positions and because of this the rate of competition was very high. Most of the people who had applied (as I found out from talking to them on the day of the test) were already apprentices with other employers (some of them major manufacturers like BMW) and had applied for this postion because of the salary.
It was my first ever job interview so I learnt a lot from the experience, and I can improve if I have another chance for an interview.
So that's it, I have blown my only chance and am still looking.
With regards to having been a ballet dancer, it is a very physical, tough and sweaty job, and the discipline it requires is second to none. I am sure that there are many things that as a mature adult I can offer which teenager can not.
I juts need a chance.
I am 100% sure this is what I want to do. My second car is a Porsche 924 which needs a lot of work doing. I have been tinkering with it on my own and I am loving it. In fact it was this which made me realise what I wanted to do with my life.
I have tried all the major manufacturers' apprenticeship programmes but they are all looking for 16 year olds and I am out of the question. Even Caterham who were reported to be struggling to find apprentices within today's youth don't accept anyone older.
I have tried the Ministry of Defence as well. I took their two and half hour test which I found to be quite difficult as some of the sections required previous knowledge and experience. Even though I probably scored terribly in some of the sections due to this factor, I managed to pass it somehow (I love maths and am good with my hands, which probably helped a lot) and was invited for an interview. However, I was unsuccessful in the interview. I was absolutely gutted after that as it was the only chance I had. The Ministry of Defence pays a proper full salary for the apprenticeship positions and because of this the rate of competition was very high. Most of the people who had applied (as I found out from talking to them on the day of the test) were already apprentices with other employers (some of them major manufacturers like BMW) and had applied for this postion because of the salary.
It was my first ever job interview so I learnt a lot from the experience, and I can improve if I have another chance for an interview.
So that's it, I have blown my only chance and am still looking.
With regards to having been a ballet dancer, it is a very physical, tough and sweaty job, and the discipline it requires is second to none. I am sure that there are many things that as a mature adult I can offer which teenager can not.
I juts need a chance.
Edited by Omshanti on Friday 27th July 18:02
Well for starters, Id suggest teaching some of the basics to yourself. I learned everything I know about cars by just tearing mine apart and putting them back together, with the help of haynes manuals and the internet. Start small with stuff like oil changes, and work your way up.
Im not sure about this, so youd have to look it up, but I think you dont legally need to have the NVQ's etc to work on a car in a garage. I know you need lv4 to do MOT work, but the rest im not sure. Maybe something to look into?
Im not sure about this, so youd have to look it up, but I think you dont legally need to have the NVQ's etc to work on a car in a garage. I know you need lv4 to do MOT work, but the rest im not sure. Maybe something to look into?
It will probably be difficult to get in due to your age, but round here one of the local councils are advertising for an apprenticeship. It doesnt say anything about age on the advert.
You might be better off trying to learn as much as you can on your own and speaking to garages locally asking if they would consider employing you as semi-skilled. Long shot but its worth a try.
You might be better off trying to learn as much as you can on your own and speaking to garages locally asking if they would consider employing you as semi-skilled. Long shot but its worth a try.
I think your best avenue is to gain an many relevant qualifiations / experience as possible.
Your 924 is your project so compile a photo diary / portfolio, start to finish of absolutely everything you've done to it. This combined with a City & Guilds type qualification should see garages start to notice you.
You may not be able to obtain an apprenticeship as such but there are other avenues.
Your 924 is your project so compile a photo diary / portfolio, start to finish of absolutely everything you've done to it. This combined with a City & Guilds type qualification should see garages start to notice you.
You may not be able to obtain an apprenticeship as such but there are other avenues.
Thank you very much everybody. It seems that self teaching plus some college qualifications is the most possible way to go for me. I don't live in the UK at the moment (I flew in for the MoD test and interview) but am planning to move to the UK after this summer for this very purpose (becoming a mechanic). I still don't know which part of the country but I will have to try the walking and asking around the local area tactic as well as the job centre. I am originally form Japan but have a UK nationality (my wife is British) and also love the car culture in the UK hence choosing the UK for this purpose.
Are the city and guilds better to do than the NVQ?
Are the city and guilds better to do than the NVQ?
Edited by Omshanti on Monday 30th July 14:49
I'd recommend looking to live in what's known as the motorsport triangle between Northampton Banbury and Coventry that's where you will find most oppurtunities and plenty of colleges. I live in towcester sort of in the middle and I've never had a problem finding a job. Plus if you fancy a challenge I've got a diesel engine that needs rebuilding haha.
I had applied for some apprenticeship positions around that area. They were all to do with motor sport (two were for rally cars and two were for tracks) so that explains why. They were also all through one training company. I did really want them as working for a garage which is into motor sports was very attractive. They also said lots of bending and stretching required in the job so I thought my ballet background would help, but unfortunately due to my age with regards to government funds I couldn't get any of them. At least they answered and explained the reason which I thought was very kind.
I might take your offer on your diesel engine if I did move to somewhere near.
I might take your offer on your diesel engine if I did move to somewhere near.
Edited by Omshanti on Wednesday 1st August 16:34
Barrington your best shout is get on the imi's website and find your local training provider, then give them a call and discuss options. However I'd still advise anyone interested in the automotive trade to go down the automotive engineering route it's a long haul but will take you much further career wise, financially wise and you won't end up fitting tyres all day long.
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