Mercedes-Benz or Honda Apprenticeship?

[RedLineRevs]

Hi guys,

I'm in the process of getting a service tech apprenticeship and I've got a bit of a choice to make. For Mercedes-Benz, I have gone through tests, phone interview, actual interview and I just recently finished a work trial. If what the tech's at Mercedes said was anything to go by, I should (hopefully) be offered the position. I'm still waiting to hear back from them whether or not I have got the job. I applied to Honda over a month ago and I have just got an email today saying they want me to do a phone interview. I'm going tot do the phone interview no matter what but the thing is, what is Mercedes get back to me before I'm able to do a work trial at Honda? So basically I'm asking whether anyone has experience as to which programme is better?

Things worth mentioning:
The Mercedes-Benz dealership I would be working at is way bigger than the Honda one.
The Honda position is in London whereas the MB position is outside London (possibly lower wages).
I'm not far from the Honda training centre so I would not have to stay in a hotel for the Honda training periods.
The MB position involves working on AMG's and other prestigious vehicles.
The Honda dealership also services bikes as well so I imagine I would gain some new riding buddies (the bike tech's).

Any info or advice you can give is appreciated

[Penelope Stopit]

RedLineRevs said:

Hi guys,

I'm in the process of getting a service tech apprenticeship and I've got a bit of a choice to make. For Mercedes-Benz, I have gone through tests, phone interview, actual interview and I just recently finished a work trial. If what the tech's at Mercedes said was anything to go by, I should (hopefully) be offered the position. I'm still waiting to hear back from them whether or not I have got the job. I applied to Honda over a month ago and I have just got an email today saying they want me to do a phone interview. I'm going tot do the phone interview no matter what but the thing is, what is Mercedes get back to me before I'm able to do a work trial at Honda? So basically I'm asking whether anyone has experience as to which programme is better?

Things worth mentioning:
The Mercedes-Benz dealership I would be working at is way bigger than the Honda one.
The Honda position is in London whereas the MB position is outside London (possibly lower wages).
I'm not far from the Honda training centre so I would not have to stay in a hotel for the Honda training periods.
The MB position involves working on AMG's and other prestigious vehicles.
The Honda dealership also services bikes as well so I imagine I would gain some new riding buddies (the bike tech's).

Any info or advice you can give is appreciated

You need to be thinking about the future, if or when you become fed up with working for one of the two or need to leave due to relocating......I reckon you will walk into many jobs if you are ex Mercedes-Benz. I am not so sure about Honda

[Penelope Stopit]

Have you also applied to Jaguar and Aston Martin?

[RedLineRevs]

Penelope Stopit said:

Have you also applied to Jaguar and Aston Martin?

I just checked Aston Martin and they are now accepting applications so I'll apply to that, last time I checked they weren't.
Jaguar aren't accepting applications. I'm not sure if they finish applications really early or finish really late and they still haven't opened from last year. They closed application in December last year.

[Penelope Stopit]

RedLineRevs said:

I just checked Aston Martin and they are now accepting applications so I'll apply to that, last time I checked they weren't.
Jaguar aren't accepting applications. I'm not sure if they finish applications really early or finish really late and they still haven't opened from last year. They closed application in December last year.

Good luck with whatever you choose
There is no harm in applying for a job anywhere even though they are not open for applications, sometimes companies will take to the fact that you contacted them and are obviously eager to work for them, remember nothing is as it looks, push hard for your future

[Penelope Stopit]

What I mean is you will be noted for applying even if there are no openings at present and you may get a foot through the door before the masses

[RedLineRevs]

Penelope Stopit said:

What I mean is you will be noted for applying even if there are no openings at present and you may get a foot through the door before the masses

Yeah I know what you mean, cheers

[DanSkoda]

With regards to the comment made earlier about working for MB might make it easier to go to another manufacturer, it's neither here nor there. I went from a run of the mill, perhaps "budget" brand to a supposed all singing all dancing premium German marque with no troubles, and so have alot of other people I work with/know.

I've not worked in many dealerships, but in my experience at least, the smaller dealerships tend to give the apprentices more hands on learning. Case in point, apprentice coming to the end of his second year where I currently work does tyres and new car preps, all day, every day. Kid is a good egg and given a chance he gets stuck into whatever else he can, bit of a pity really. My old apprentice (at a previous dealership) at the same point during his time was regularly entrusted to do services on his own, timing belts and basic diagnostics.

Good diagnostic techs is something the industry is really short on, show a willingness to learn the processes and get your head around electrical issues and you'll stand out amongst the rest.
The pay is generally shocking in the workshop side of the motor industry though, be warned!

Edited by DanSkoda on Tuesday 12th July 23:15

[Classy6]

DanSkoda said:

With regards to the comment made earlier about working for MB might make it easier to go to another manufacturer, it's neither here nor there. I went from a run of the mill, perhaps "budget" brand to a supposed all singing all dancing premium German marque with no troubles, and so have alot of other people I work with/know.

I've not worked in many dealerships, but in my experience at least, the smaller dealerships tend to give the apprentices more hands on learning. Case in point, apprentice coming to the end of his second year where I currently work does tyres and new car preps, all day, every day. Kid is a good egg and given a chance he gets stuck into whatever else he can, bit of a pity really. My old apprentice (at a previous dealership) at the same point during his time was regularly entrusted to do services on his own, timing belts and basic diagnostics.

Good diagnostic techs is something the industry is really short on, show a willingness to learn the processes and get your head around electrical issues and you'll stand out amongst the rest.
The pay is generally shocking in the workshop side of the motor industry though, be warned!

Edited by DanSkoda on Tuesday 12th July 23:15

This is very, very true. Especially the pay!

Food for thought...

I finished the MB apprenticeship program 7/8 years ago now, their training academy is in Milton Keynes when last checked. I left MB dealer about 2 years ago as I got fed up with poor pay, limited prospects and generally started finding the job monotonous. The reason there is a shortage of Diag/Master techs is because the basic pay at that level doesn't justify the job, let alone the service tech next you earning more in bonus every month for doing easier work.

You need to be mindful of dealers attitudes these days which unfortunately seems to be use apprentices as cheap labor whilst at work and you'll learn at college. No doubt you will go through the apprenticeship and qualify but just like above, in dealers you'll spend your days doing medial, repetitive tasks (sales inspections, tyres etc) rather than getting stuck in diagnostic work and learning. My old apprentice is doing that right now in his 2nd year! It's worrying overall as newly qualified apprentices come out not having much experience in the skills they need to actually survive day to day with a full varied workload.

Overall, a bit of double edged sword as there is no doubt a brand name like Honda or Mercedes will do wonders for your CV; however, you will learn 100x fold doing an apprenticeship in a local independent/specialist & probably be much happier/skilled for it (albeit, a little colder in winter).


Finally, in regards to your question I would see if you can have a chat with a few of the apprentices currently employed by each dealer and ask them their HONEST opinion about their day to day work and what they think of the program. I imagine not much as changed over the years if it's all still based on NVQ qualifications which follow general guidelines so ultimately you will come out with the same qualifications from either program. Personally I would go with your gut and try and avoid the brand battle as the industry is always screaming out for technicians. Only extra thing I'll say is having Bike experience might add another string to your bow.

Good Luck!

Edited by Classy6 on Thursday 1st September 15:36