Car mechanic course or bodywork course?
Discussion
I am (or was until a year ago) a mechanic. Make sure the mechanic course takes you up to NVQ level 3 or you won't get a job anywhere. Once you get that all important number 3 you still won't get a job without at least five years of experience - it was only when I had that much that I occasionally got a response when applying for jobs.
And that experience really should be in a dealership, there is much snobbery involved if you've only worked for indies.
And that experience really should be in a dealership, there is much snobbery involved if you've only worked for indies.
Some help on the bodywork side: A guy I know who used to work in a bodyshop says most independents lost a lot of work to chipless dent repair and SMART repairers. The last garage I worked at didn't have a bodyshop, instead they had three contractors; one who did dents, one who did SMART repairs and a wheel refurberer. Out of the 40 or so cars they sold per week only one or two went to a bodyshop.
I think if you can do dent repairs well then there is money to be earned. The guy my previous employer used charged around £20-30 per dent and it only took him 15-20 minutes. If you can get a contract with a dealership or car supermarket you can be there for a few hours a day and save a massive amount on travelling costs.
I think if you can do dent repairs well then there is money to be earned. The guy my previous employer used charged around £20-30 per dent and it only took him 15-20 minutes. If you can get a contract with a dealership or car supermarket you can be there for a few hours a day and save a massive amount on travelling costs.
SEE YA said:
There is a good classic car course at Leeds college on car restoration. If that is the way you wish to go. I would like to do it myself, however cannot do it and pay the bills for a year at the same time.
Only bonus for me I did a NVQ in welding and Fab in the 90's .
Excellent- thanks for this! However would the course certificate enable me to work in a 'normal' bodyshop if need be?Only bonus for me I did a NVQ in welding and Fab in the 90's .
I guess I need to ask them that!
Do you have any experience doing either at the minute? Technically you don't need any qualifications to do either job, it just helps you get employed.
Some of the best mechanics I know were self taught from a young age.
Same with a guy I use for bodywork repairs, his dad taught him everything.
Some of the best mechanics I know were self taught from a young age.
Same with a guy I use for bodywork repairs, his dad taught him everything.
Andyjc86 said:
Do you have any experience doing either at the minute? Technically you don't need any qualifications to do either job, it just helps you get employed.
Some of the best mechanics I know were self taught from a young age.
Same with a guy I use for bodywork repairs, his dad taught him everything.
Nothing at all- never been shown a thing. I've learnt the very basics of servicing but that is all.Some of the best mechanics I know were self taught from a young age.
Same with a guy I use for bodywork repairs, his dad taught him everything.
I really just want to know everything there is to know about the oily bits and or bodywork!
EDLT said:
I am (or was until a year ago) a mechanic. Make sure the mechanic course takes you up to NVQ level 3 or you won't get a job anywhere. Once you get that all important number 3 you still won't get a job without at least five years of experience - it was only when I had that much that I occasionally got a response when applying for jobs.
And that experience really should be in a dealership, there is much snobbery involved if you've only worked for indies.
Beg to differ. In my experience having been a mechanic for a fair few years now. NVQ's are massively overrated. I was a self taught mechanic, living and breathing cars. I did start an apprenticeship, but found it a horrendous waste of time being taught what I already knew, patronized and making everyone tea all the time. So I left after 3 months, worked in other things for some years, then decided to get back into spannering. Raided the yellow pages contacted everyone, phoned and emailed. Within a week I had my pick of 4 jobs. Ended up at a Lotus/Noble specialist. That was ok, but then I went and asked for (what at the time) was a dream job - Technician at a TVR factory approved specialist, which i've been doing ever since (1.5 years) - Its amazing how easy it is to find work when you can persuade them to give you a trial. And that experience really should be in a dealership, there is much snobbery involved if you've only worked for indies.
When it comes to it, just be honest as to what you can and cant do. Mechanicing is not rocket science If you have something between your ears, don't let anyone convince yourself otherwise. It is hard work for little reward though.
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