Idea of what it would take to become a mechanic
Discussion
RR76 said:
Can you give a rough idea of what it would take to become a qualified competent mechanic.
A lobotomy!I jest but seriously of all the careers to get into being a mechanic really isn't that great.
Also it's not just a 3 year apprenticeship and your off, it's quite literally a lifetime of learning if you want to be any good and remain relevant.
The working conditions vary from utter holes in the ground to high end workshops, be aware the minging shed to high end ratio isn't very good.
Pay- really not that great and even when you become a top earner in the game I'd say its still down on where it should be assuming all the specialisms and knowledge you need to have.
How old are you and do you have any other options? I mean if this is what you have your heart set on best of luck and never stop learning.
Dont do it.
Most mechanics (if there are any left) will shortly be replaced by fitters, as everything will just be replaceable, and when its full e-vehicles it will be a sealed unit back to the manufacturer.
Even the auto engineers at the manufacturers are leaving/being let go on droves, because even if there is something to do its cheaper to do it in Turkey, or whichever 3rd world country has the cheapest labour that year, than it is to do it here.
(Speaking as the spouse of a ford research engineer with 25 years experience who took "voluntary" severance last year)
Most mechanics (if there are any left) will shortly be replaced by fitters, as everything will just be replaceable, and when its full e-vehicles it will be a sealed unit back to the manufacturer.
Even the auto engineers at the manufacturers are leaving/being let go on droves, because even if there is something to do its cheaper to do it in Turkey, or whichever 3rd world country has the cheapest labour that year, than it is to do it here.
(Speaking as the spouse of a ford research engineer with 25 years experience who took "voluntary" severance last year)
sociopath said:
Dont do it.
Most mechanics (if there are any left) will shortly be replaced by fitters, as everything will just be replaceable, and when its full e-vehicles it will be a sealed unit back to the manufacturer.
Even the auto engineers at the manufacturers are leaving/being let go on droves, because even if there is something to do its cheaper to do it in Turkey, or whichever 3rd world country has the cheapest labour that year, than it is to do it here.
(Speaking as the spouse of a ford research engineer with 25 years experience who took "voluntary" severance last year)
I see what you mean.Most mechanics (if there are any left) will shortly be replaced by fitters, as everything will just be replaceable, and when its full e-vehicles it will be a sealed unit back to the manufacturer.
Even the auto engineers at the manufacturers are leaving/being let go on droves, because even if there is something to do its cheaper to do it in Turkey, or whichever 3rd world country has the cheapest labour that year, than it is to do it here.
(Speaking as the spouse of a ford research engineer with 25 years experience who took "voluntary" severance last year)
https://www.politico.eu/article/car-mechanics-gear...
I mean there's still 10-15 years left but after that then it's going to massively change I assume.
They still have to be able to generate all that electricity.
I turned spanners for many many years and I would recommend thinking of something else.
I ended up with $75,000 worth of tools which I had collected over the years and as far as my various employers were concerned they are all shop tools for anyone to borrow.
Many employers still believe that if you can fix one car, you can fix them all, no matter the make or model.
Employers believe that you can diagnose any computer and drivability issue within minutes by simply plugging in the Snap-On scanner. The one you have to keep locked in your car to stop the other mechanics from 'borrowing' it.
Heath and Safety laws are not so much laws, more of suggestions.
10 minutes before knocking off time the service manager will tell you you have to work overtime because they promised the customer their car would be fixed tonight.
Pay; I'm not even going there except to say that the owner of one shop I worked at fired a very competent mechanic because he found an illegal who would work cheaper.
Many many customers have simple requirements from a garage. The mechanic is to drop everything and fix their car while they wait. They want the repair to be free and have a lifetime warranty, and if it quits they would call you at home and demand that you come and look at it. (Yes it happened on more than one occasion)
I can go on, as others in the trade will know, but take it from me, don't waste your life on this dead end job.
I ended up with $75,000 worth of tools which I had collected over the years and as far as my various employers were concerned they are all shop tools for anyone to borrow.
Many employers still believe that if you can fix one car, you can fix them all, no matter the make or model.
Employers believe that you can diagnose any computer and drivability issue within minutes by simply plugging in the Snap-On scanner. The one you have to keep locked in your car to stop the other mechanics from 'borrowing' it.
Heath and Safety laws are not so much laws, more of suggestions.
10 minutes before knocking off time the service manager will tell you you have to work overtime because they promised the customer their car would be fixed tonight.
Pay; I'm not even going there except to say that the owner of one shop I worked at fired a very competent mechanic because he found an illegal who would work cheaper.
Many many customers have simple requirements from a garage. The mechanic is to drop everything and fix their car while they wait. They want the repair to be free and have a lifetime warranty, and if it quits they would call you at home and demand that you come and look at it. (Yes it happened on more than one occasion)
I can go on, as others in the trade will know, but take it from me, don't waste your life on this dead end job.
RR76,
You don't say how old you are, or what you education to date is. but consider the various college courses.
There many around the country that offer two year BTEC courses in vehicle technology, and a handful that offer degree courses in motorsport engineering.
The one I know attracts highly motivated young people, and has many graduates working the the trade and in the sport, in workshops and management.
It is rare for money to be poorly spent on formal training.
John
You don't say how old you are, or what you education to date is. but consider the various college courses.
There many around the country that offer two year BTEC courses in vehicle technology, and a handful that offer degree courses in motorsport engineering.
The one I know attracts highly motivated young people, and has many graduates working the the trade and in the sport, in workshops and management.
It is rare for money to be poorly spent on formal training.
John
No way, don't even think about it anymore
Many above posters have already informed you of how bad the job is
Low pay
Stress
Social life often destroyed
Horrible work places
Idiot managers wearing suits telling you how to do the job when they no f
k all about it
It goes on and on.......
Needing to learn everything about everything is the biggest killer though
Vets spend something like 9 years to learn the job and earn st loads of money
Mechanics and electricians are always learning the job and earn peanuts
You must be out of your mind if you do go ahead. If you are crazy, allow for 4 years apprenticeship and the rest of your working life learning
Many above posters have already informed you of how bad the job is
Low pay
Stress
Social life often destroyed
Horrible work places
Idiot managers wearing suits telling you how to do the job when they no f
k all about itIt goes on and on.......
Needing to learn everything about everything is the biggest killer though
Vets spend something like 9 years to learn the job and earn s
t loads of moneyMechanics and electricians are always learning the job and earn peanuts
You must be out of your mind if you do go ahead. If you are crazy, allow for 4 years apprenticeship and the rest of your working life learning
NMNeil said:
I turned spanners for many many years and I would recommend thinking of something else.
I ended up with $75,000 worth of tools which I had collected over the years and as far as my various employers were concerned they are all shop tools for anyone to borrow.
Many employers still believe that if you can fix one car, you can fix them all, no matter the make or model.
Employers believe that you can diagnose any computer and drivability issue within minutes by simply plugging in the Snap-On scanner. The one you have to keep locked in your car to stop the other mechanics from 'borrowing' it.
Heath and Safety laws are not so much laws, more of suggestions.
10 minutes before knocking off time the service manager will tell you you have to work overtime because they promised the customer their car would be fixed tonight.
Pay; I'm not even going there except to say that the owner of one shop I worked at fired a very competent mechanic because he found an illegal who would work cheaper.
Many many customers have simple requirements from a garage. The mechanic is to drop everything and fix their car while they wait. They want the repair to be free and have a lifetime warranty, and if it quits they would call you at home and demand that you come and look at it. (Yes it happened on more than one occasion)
I can go on, as others in the trade will know, but take it from me, don't waste your life on this dead end job.
are you US based? I thought the US had a far better attitude to the trades than the UK, but I guess the same pressures apply (amazing how much of londons middle classes think deploying an albanian farm-hand on their electrics is a smart way to save a few bucks)I ended up with $75,000 worth of tools which I had collected over the years and as far as my various employers were concerned they are all shop tools for anyone to borrow.
Many employers still believe that if you can fix one car, you can fix them all, no matter the make or model.
Employers believe that you can diagnose any computer and drivability issue within minutes by simply plugging in the Snap-On scanner. The one you have to keep locked in your car to stop the other mechanics from 'borrowing' it.
Heath and Safety laws are not so much laws, more of suggestions.
10 minutes before knocking off time the service manager will tell you you have to work overtime because they promised the customer their car would be fixed tonight.
Pay; I'm not even going there except to say that the owner of one shop I worked at fired a very competent mechanic because he found an illegal who would work cheaper.
Many many customers have simple requirements from a garage. The mechanic is to drop everything and fix their car while they wait. They want the repair to be free and have a lifetime warranty, and if it quits they would call you at home and demand that you come and look at it. (Yes it happened on more than one occasion)
I can go on, as others in the trade will know, but take it from me, don't waste your life on this dead end job.
Teddy Lop said:
are you US based? I thought the US had a far better attitude to the trades than the UK, but I guess the same pressures apply (amazing how much of londons middle classes think deploying an albanian farm-hand on their electrics is a smart way to save a few bucks)
Thats what I thought I am in Devon and the only time you hear the word shop is when somebody walks in a garage and nobody is there
and they shout " SHOP"
Just to echo what others have said - it's an industry that is going to be if not in decline then at least fundamentally changed by electric vehicles. I would have little interest in working on them.
Personally I think there's an enormous disparity between the level of knowledge and skill a good mechanic needs and the financial reward. Part plumber, part electrician, possibly fabricator, probably welder... And as others have mentioned, if you aren't constantly learning you're out of date. You'd be much better rewarded in a number of other skilled careers.
Something that might be worth considering is whether it remains fun as a job - we restored classic cars, mainly for ourselves to sell without a pre-arranged buyer. The few times we took on a job for someone it took a lot of the enjoyment away, the stress levels rise and all those things that inevitably go wrong are no longer inconvenient but quite a big problem.
I know a few mechanics and none of them seem to have much love for the work any more. What exactly is it about it that attracts you? It might still be possible to find something you'll find rewarding but with better pay and conditions.
Personally I think there's an enormous disparity between the level of knowledge and skill a good mechanic needs and the financial reward. Part plumber, part electrician, possibly fabricator, probably welder... And as others have mentioned, if you aren't constantly learning you're out of date. You'd be much better rewarded in a number of other skilled careers.
Something that might be worth considering is whether it remains fun as a job - we restored classic cars, mainly for ourselves to sell without a pre-arranged buyer. The few times we took on a job for someone it took a lot of the enjoyment away, the stress levels rise and all those things that inevitably go wrong are no longer inconvenient but quite a big problem.
I know a few mechanics and none of them seem to have much love for the work any more. What exactly is it about it that attracts you? It might still be possible to find something you'll find rewarding but with better pay and conditions.
RR76 said:
Can you give a rough idea of what it would take to become a qualified competent mechanic.
How many years in college, how many years apprenticeship etc?
Why do you want to do this? Do you just like cars, or do you want the satisfaction of fixing something? There are far more interesting 'mechanic' jobs out there, be it aviation, maritime, armed forces, etc. Many of those options will take you to far more places and earn you far more money and satisfaction than a grubby backstreet workshop or franchised main dealer ever will, IMHO.How many years in college, how many years apprenticeship etc?
A lot of exaggerating going on there, it isn't that bad. I know some very happy and reasonably wealthy mechanics.
If it's what you're good at and interested in then what options do you have? You're unlikely to want to sit in front of a PC all day long for instance.
How far you go and what you make of it is down to you entirely. You don't have to work on a wide variety of cars, nor do you have to work for someone or answer the phone after 5pm. If you have no drive, business sense and/or are unintelligent then you will forever be at the bottom of the pile.
You can generalise or specialise. Personally specialising in something works best for me, I like to be one of the best at what I do.
Lets say you look around and find there are no Vivaro specialists in your area. There were hundreds of thousands of these things made over the years and they don't suffer from rust so it's purely mechanical. They are mechanically fragile in certain ways so there you have a common van which needs plenty doing to it and it's all mechanical and repetitive so you can learn it easily.
Once you know a series of vehicles inside out obviously it becomes much easier and you need less equipment. When it's easy and you have great knowledge you can then employ someone to help out as things become more successful and word gets out that you are the man to see.
As you have the knowledge of that particular vehicle you can then buy in stock of broken ones cheap, fix them up and sell them on.
As said in my earlier post the only thing which can scupper this is the electric vehicle. No-one can predict the future there.
If it's what you're good at and interested in then what options do you have? You're unlikely to want to sit in front of a PC all day long for instance.
How far you go and what you make of it is down to you entirely. You don't have to work on a wide variety of cars, nor do you have to work for someone or answer the phone after 5pm. If you have no drive, business sense and/or are unintelligent then you will forever be at the bottom of the pile.
You can generalise or specialise. Personally specialising in something works best for me, I like to be one of the best at what I do.
Lets say you look around and find there are no Vivaro specialists in your area. There were hundreds of thousands of these things made over the years and they don't suffer from rust so it's purely mechanical. They are mechanically fragile in certain ways so there you have a common van which needs plenty doing to it and it's all mechanical and repetitive so you can learn it easily.
Once you know a series of vehicles inside out obviously it becomes much easier and you need less equipment. When it's easy and you have great knowledge you can then employ someone to help out as things become more successful and word gets out that you are the man to see.
As you have the knowledge of that particular vehicle you can then buy in stock of broken ones cheap, fix them up and sell them on.
As said in my earlier post the only thing which can scupper this is the electric vehicle. No-one can predict the future there.
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