Practical Pathways to Becoming a Mechanic Advice

LInfiniteRegression on 16/10/2020 - 12:49

Hi there,

A close family member living in Melbourne has been interested in becoming a mechanic/ diesel mechanic, he is 22 years old and has been applying for apprenticeships with no results. he has been interviewed a number of times but again keeps falling short, so I have been advising him to start by enrolling in a Certificate IV in Automotive Mechanical Diagnosis course or a Certificate III in Automotive Diesel Engine Technology course which would serve as a good foundation and improve his chances into getting an apprenticeship and also if he isn't able successful in the short term, he would have a much higher chance at getting a job once we completes the course/s.

I was hoping the OzB community would be able to recommend some institutes that would give him a strong foundation, some advice on the course he should complete or whether to keep applying for apprenticeships or enrol in a course.

P.S.He has been looking into Kangan Institute and says it is very strong.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions :)

TLDR; Family member wants advice on becoming a mechanic, which path to take.

Automotive

Comments

  • brendanm on 16/10/2020 - 13:40

    Does he have any practical experience? Any experience with engines, bikes, cars, anything, or just decided he wants to be a mechanic?

    Does he have any employment history?

    • InfiniteRegression on 20/10/2020 - 08:46

      Hi Brendanm,

      Thanks for the reply, he mostly works on the family cars, servicing them regularly.

      He was studying to become a pilot but then changed course.

      he has had a love for cars and planes for a long time.

      • brendanm on 26/10/2020 - 18:42

        Sorry missed this. So he has ability and the will to learn. The only downside for employers will be his age, which means he will be a mature age apprentice. This means they pay a lot more.

        Has he tries walking into any local mechanics with good reputations and asking if they need anyone? Even just to do work experience.

  • [Deactivated] on 16/10/2020 - 13:47
    -7

    Understand that there is ZERO legitimate demand for mechanics, more than enough qualified and experienced people floating around.

    • Do a pre-apprenticeship and (try) to take it seriously
    • Then just keep applying for positions and harassing mechanics to get an apprenticeship

    It be 2020

    • brendanm on 16/10/2020 - 14:00
      +1

      ZERO legitimate demand for mechanics,

      Don't comment if you have no idea. There is a shortage of mechanics, and a massive shortage of good mechanics.

      • Euphemistic on 16/10/2020 - 14:06

        So there’s not a glut of ex Holden mechanics?

        • pegaxs on 16/10/2020 - 15:19

          Most of the ex-Holden guys have just been absorbed into the multi-franchise dealerships they were already working at.

    • Ryanek on 16/10/2020 - 15:47

      Lots of demand in big rural towns like Wagga Wagga.

      The only drawback is you have to live at Wagga Wagga.

  • Quantumcat on 16/10/2020 - 14:37
    +2

    He should work on why he is getting rejected from starting an apprenticeship rather than doing those courses.

    Does he have work experience? Is he a normal guy with normal social skills? Did he go to the interviews in dirty clothes or anything?

    • Rorzaborg on 16/10/2020 - 16:07

      Isn't it a prerequisite to wear something grease stained?

    • InfiniteRegression on 20/10/2020 - 08:47

      Hi Quantumcat,

      He is a normal guy with social skills, he has been working the last couple years as a kitchen hand at a pizza shop.

      He was well dressed :P maybe needed that grease stain!

      • Quantumcat on 20/10/2020 - 09:58

        Maybe he should ask for feedback from the people he applied with. He needs to get to the bottom of why he isn't being hired.

  • yoonibear on 16/10/2020 - 15:11
    +4

    What about taking up an army apprenticeship?

  • [Deactivated] on 16/10/2020 - 15:21
    +4

    Plenty to be said about this apprenticeship system but specific to your family friend…

    Most mechanics I personally know take on apprentices that already know a lot from doing up cars as a hobby. There are plenty of 18 year old driving a crap box they've turned into something usable.

    One would struggle to find a mechanic willing to pay more for a 21 year old that doesn't know a wrench from a shifter.

    • mapax on 16/10/2020 - 15:56

      X2
      I know a couple of guys who were in their late 20’s that got auto apprenticeships, one was heavy diesel and the other general auto. However they were both in car clubs and had done real car repairs/mods and not just bolting on a lift or lowering kit.

      • [Deactivated] on 16/10/2020 - 16:17

        Even bolting on a lift or lowering kit is already more than what some "aspiring mechanics" know.

        I've known a lot of "fully sick bros" that barely know how to use a dipstick.

    • InfiniteRegression on 20/10/2020 - 09:02

      Hi tshow,

      he has worked a good amount of time on restoring an old mirage (his first car) to workable condition so he knows his way around cars.

      He loves pulling things apart and putting them back together, and I can assure you he has his head in the right place, he was working on becoming a pilot and then an aerospace engineer but found the courses too much theory, not enough practical and has changed courses to pursue this pathway.

      He understands that he will struggle to find an apprenticeship and as pointed out earlier, his age and lack of practical experience would make others more likely candidates.

      He is happy to do what it takes to improve his odds, what would be your advice?

      • [Deactivated] on 20/10/2020 - 10:11

        Age is a non-issue if he has the maturity to match. Taking on an 16-18yo apprentice has its problems too, ie. You get a 16-18 year old apprentice.

        He needs to drive that mirage and go into places where he is applying. Sus out the top dog and hand in his resume. If the opportunity arises, he can show off his work.

        People skills will go a long way too. My mechanic had an apprentice that rubbed everyone the wrong way, colleagues included but I could tell he wasn't doing it maliciously. Just an off putting person with very poor social skills. Perhaps your friend should assess which requires more work, soft or hard skills.

  • pegaxs on 16/10/2020 - 15:27
    +2

    Do a pre-apprenticship course (Cert I or II in Automotive)
    Take it up as a hobby
    Search online for places looking for apprentices (There are some places that specalise in finding work for aspiring apprentices)
    Apply
    Apply some more
    Work out why you're not getting hired (Mum taking your resume in isnt a good look. Happens all the time.)
    Apply again
    Get the apprenticeship
    Go to TAFE and do nothing
    Take 4 years to do the 3 years of TAFE because you blew most of TAFE off and goofed off the whole time
    Finish your apprenticeship and complain the rest of your life that all you do is drain oil and change filters…

    Pretty much how 95% of the guys I did my trade course with ended up.

    I have been advising him to start by enrolling in a Certificate IV in Automotive Mechanical Diagnosis course or a Certificate III in Automotive Diesel Engine Technology

    They wont get into Cert IV if they dont have a trade background or at least a wealth of mechanical experience. You will find it will have a heap of prerequisites, such as Cert III in something automotive related.

    Cert III is usually a trade course and without practical experience or access to a lot of the tools and knowledge, they wont pass it and it will probably be somewhere in the order of about $16,000 if they are doing it off their own bat and not through a trainee/apprenticeship. Cert III automotive courses are usually 1 day a week (or 1 week every 6 weeks) for 3 years, so, not something they can just do in a few months.

    • InfiniteRegression on 20/10/2020 - 08:50

      Thanks pegaxs,

      I think this advice resonated with him and is now considering Cert II to start with while continuing to apply with the metal is hot!

  • brad1-8tsi on 16/10/2020 - 16:00
    +4

    Pre-apprenticeship course to start with.

    Has he shown an interest in this type of thing before? When I got mine I'd rebuilt a motorbike, modified bicycles, knew what a spark plug was, etc

    If he isn't getting interviews then look at the CV.

    If getting interviews but no offer then look at presentation, personal cleanliness, haircut, clothes, manner of speaking and general intelligence.

    A lot of places hire apprentices with a long term view that they will work upwards to something beyond the trade.

    I'd also do some door knocking and try and get in as a dogs-body cleaning up, etc. Also try the MTAA (or similar) as they might have a placement service.

    Look at the mining companies too but he'll have to travel.

    • [Deactivated] on 16/10/2020 - 16:34
      +1

      CV's are generally only an issue with excessive lift. :P

    • InfiniteRegression on 20/10/2020 - 09:07

      Hi Brad,

      Tanks for the advice, lot of useful things here and he's followed up with VACC as you mentioned they do have apprenticeship programs!

      He is also considering starting a Cert II in the meantime.

  • Hardlyworkin on 16/10/2020 - 16:22

    I believe that mechanics go to the same training school as dentists. They study how to do recognise and charge for additional services that aren't actually needed.

    • [Deactivated] on 16/10/2020 - 16:34

      You must have tried to cheap out on a good mechanic and dentist and end up paying less per service for things you don't need.

  • mini2 on 17/10/2020 - 11:01

    I think his age might be working against him, why should I hire a newb for more when a younger newb will cost me less? At least on paper anyway.

    Like someone else have mentioned up there ^^^^, work on the previous interviews feedback and go on from there.

    • InfiniteRegression on 20/10/2020 - 08:52

      That was definitely something I didn't consider, thank you for pointing it out mini2, this has cemented the idea that he needs some time of competitive advantage and is working on the pathways he needs to get it. I think tshow mentioned car club and rebuilding some cars, he liked that idea too.

  • brad1-8tsi on 19/10/2020 - 08:49

    I have been advising him to start by enrolling in a Certificate IV in Automotive Mechanical Diagnosis course or a Certificate III in Automotive Diesel Engine Technology course which would serve as a good foundation

    Neither of these are foundation courses. They are specialist courses and he would sit in class totally bewildered and it would annoy the daylights out of those that have done an apprenticeship and have practical experience.

    People with no knowledge really held classes back when I was doing my Mech Eng (Even when I did my apprenticeship as a lot of us had experience but not the theory)

    • InfiniteRegression on 20/10/2020 - 08:53

      Thanks brad for your experience, we have talked about it and the general advice above mentions that Cert II is the way to go until he can land his own apprenticeship.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join