Getting (back into) the motor trade advice
Getting (back into) the motor trade advice
Author
Discussion

chazola

Original Poster:

459 posts

186 months

Wednesday 30th May 2018
quotequote all
Need some advice from professionals working in garages- though a broadcast sound engineer 'by trade', I've been working on my own and family/friend's cars for the last 15 years or so, self-taught and during that time I had a kind of 'mentor/Yoda-type' old-skool engineer who I've known since my first car and I'd ask advice from/take my car to if it was a job above my skill level... last year he asked me to come and work for him which was a great opportunity and I learnt a ton in the 6 months or so I was there at his small restoration/repair workshop across classics and moderns, doing brake & oil changes to total engine strip-downs.

Unfortunately he's had to shut down due to old age/ill health and even though him painting the picture of the motor trade being mostly full of idiots, I've found myself wanting to spanner professionally full-time.

The trouble is almost all jobs I've looked at want NVQ/C&G qualifications which I don't have and am finding hard to find a course near me for adults full-time/fast-track as looking at the course contents I'm already at Level 2/3 experience.

I was wondering if anyone had any advice since I have a load more professional experience than your average 18-y/o coming out of college but I need to translate that to applications... or am I basically stuffed without the NVQ/C&G?

edc

9,617 posts

280 months

Wednesday 30th May 2018
quotequote all
The obvious response seems to be why don't you take over your mentor's operation. That way you may not need to have any specific certificates.

chazola

Original Poster:

459 posts

186 months

Wednesday 30th May 2018
quotequote all
edc said:
The obvious response seems to be why don't you take over your mentor's operation. That way you may not need to have any specific certificates.
Good point... unfortunately I'm not at the experience level where I could completely take on what he did there myself- and his workshop space was shared with a mate in the trade so the ramp etc wasn't his...

edc

9,617 posts

280 months

Wednesday 30th May 2018
quotequote all
Is there any opportunity to work with this 'mate'? Could they do the jobs beyond you? Do they already know you and your competency and work ethic?