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Post by chrisbailey on Jan 12, 2007 17:42:07 GMT
Hi, As some of you know I am 17 years old for the rest that dont, I have been looking into mechanics line of work, I know you have to start from the bottom and all that, but i was just wondering if any body has any information or knows anything about getting into mechanics and diagnostics, just to let you know I am not thick, and I am willing to spend any length of time on courses, I am doing As levels at the moment but they are not realy what i want to be doing, my GCSE levels were science=A A (double award) Maths=B ICT=B graphics=B Art=A Bussiness studies=C English=D
If any of you are mechanics or know any information on what courses to go on etc please let me know, would be very appriciated, Thank you
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Post by Deleted on Jan 12, 2007 18:50:43 GMT
Well just to give you an idea, many mooms ago I did a motor vehicle technitians course over three years at West Kent college, Tonbridge. It covered everything from basic mechanics through bodywork, car and engine design and management studies along with block release so we were in the real world as well as learning. This was way back but I should think there are still courses out there. I also see it will be along way from you (I used to live in Elford and go to Mercian boys when I was a kid but moved to kent as a teenager). As a first point of call try Coventry university, my eldest daughter goes there (on a crap course) and she knows a number of people who are studying things in the car game, car design and one of them is looking at trying to join an F1 racing team when he graduates and it would be fairy easy to commute to for you. If you want to be a grease monkey then just go to your local garages and ask if they want an apprentice willing to learn. Whatever you end up trying good luck.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 12, 2007 18:53:43 GMT
moons and technicians should really look at what the hell I type before posting or even use the bloody spellchecker occasionally.
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Post by sammss on Jan 12, 2007 19:07:05 GMT
Hi Chris,
Just sent you a pm with a number on it. Give the guy a ring. I am sure he will be able to point you in the right direction.
Cheers, Linda
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Post by Peter on Jan 12, 2007 19:07:40 GMT
Speaking as a technician for Honda and Kawasaki for 10 years and with over 30 in the trade including racing I would get an apprenticeship with a franchise such as VW, Ford, BMW, etc, that's where the money is, not as a greasy service fitter, they are two a penny I started with Lambretta in 1963, Alpha MaLaren in 1964 and Honda in 1975 but mechanics are born, not trained, you need eyes in the end of your fingers, x-ray vision, sound locating ears and a computer for a brain that knows every part on every vehicle in the range, but enough about me. Technical collage, block or day release from a main dealership over 3/4 years then sweeping the floor for a couple more..
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Post by chrisbailey on Jan 12, 2007 19:41:19 GMT
thanks for the info, forget grease monkey, i wouldnt go into that, I would definatly be looking into a more skilled line of work,, There is a college local to me but the mechanic i was speaking to today says the college is too long winded in the course. I cant wait till septemeber now, and by that time I am hoping to pass some As levels. thanks all the same
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Post by sammss on Jan 13, 2007 20:05:43 GMT
Hi Chris,
I spoke to my guy today. There are two ways to do it (like Peter has said really), as a block or as a day release when you are employed in the trade. The block course is (opinion only) a waste of time as it gives little practical experience. (A number of people who do that course then do the day release because they lack hands on experience).
I only know about our local college, but I guess it would be the same everywhere. To do the day release you have to be employed at a garage, otherwise you wont get a placement. If, for any reason, you lost your job in the trade they give you about a months grace to find somewhere else.
When Steve did his course he was paid almost nothing by his employer, but he stuck at it for the end rewards. He now works in a dealership & earns pretty good money. He would say the sacrafice was worth it.
Peter is right though. Good mechanics are born & not made.
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Post by Peter on Jan 13, 2007 22:32:09 GMT
Also, if you want to get into the top end of the business like F1 or touring or rally car you will need a degree in mechanical engineering or similar or at least a HNC, Tech course in a related subject, but either way if you are 17 now don't expect to be in the money before 21, of course you could get a job in a garage and start earning straight away but you will just be a fitter at best by 21, If you are serious it will be a hard long slog but if you want to do nothing else but, then that's what it takes, I would recommend talking to one of the teams in the UK like McLaren or Williams once you have your A levels as they have apprenticeships too. When i was "doing my time" with Trojan Engineering in Croyden (Lambretta, Iso and McLaren F3 and M1) I shared a house with 3 guys from McLaren and managed to get a transfer into them but it was hard work and I prefered bikes so I went to Honda instead. Dough!
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Post by sammss on Jan 13, 2007 23:11:15 GMT
F1 is very hard to get into tho Peter. That is setting sights really high.
Not unachievable, but very difficult. I do know someone who did it from school, but it was a bit of a fluke I think.
You can get whatever you want if you strive hard enough & want it enough though.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 14, 2007 11:00:03 GMT
Speaking as a technician for Honda and Kawasaki for 10 years and with over 30 in the trade including racing .. so add the 30 years to how long you worked at your other jobs ........then the length of time in the army,,, then ,,,, hey peter you you look good for a 130 year old man (you know i am only pulling your leg bud) ;D
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Post by Peter on Jan 14, 2007 11:30:23 GMT
I'll settle for "looking good for a 61 year old man" ;D I think you will have to read the book, (when I write it), but I have fitted in a whole bunch of stuff into the last 47 years, (army was Sept 1959 to Jan 1961) apprenticeship/training from 1961 to 1964, collage (ONC 'B' Tech, mech eng.) and work 1964 to 1966, and so on, never stop learning or doing courses and no girl friends untill I was 26, just me and my machines.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 14, 2007 11:58:00 GMT
Hey Peter, YER MIGHT not of had any GIRLFRIEND'S till yer was 26, BUT boy have they messes about with your mecanics since
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Post by chrisbailey on Jan 14, 2007 15:23:46 GMT
Hi again, Just to clarify where i am trying to go, I am looking into, service/auto technician, AKA mechanic, I am not looking into motorsport as yet, I just love workin with cars and want to get into that industry. My next door neibour has done practicaly what i want to do, He told me he went to college and studied auto technician courses, and he was lucky enough to get an apprenticeship with mercedes benz, he was about 30 at the time so he was lucky they looked at him, now they only look at 16-19 year olds, He works more o the electrical technology side, ECU work and engine diagnostics, more skilled work. Thats where i want to go realy. So it looks like ive got to do some nagging to business's to get on an apprenticeship. Ive already applied to a few but i need to get my driving licence first, its a requirement in the application.
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Post by chrisbailey on Jan 18, 2007 17:28:43 GMT
Ive been researching like mad etc and i have applied for as many apprenticeships as i can, looks like you need a driving licience mandatory, so ive gotta get passing, Ive had a letter from BMW about their auto/service technician, I wont fit the criteria untill i get my licience however i do fit the criteria for paint and body technician, but thats not what i want to do, so looks like im going to college next year, need to get NVQ level 3 etc.
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Post by Peter on Jan 19, 2007 12:59:19 GMT
What ever you want in life there's no short cut, get qualifications and study and start at the bottom and not be in a rush, you will thank yourself later in life, Oh and start thinking about later in life too, you can't be a mechanic for ever, I found myself and my Friends that 50 is about the limit to be crawling around under cars, so what do you do then?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2007 15:28:59 GMT
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Post by chrisbailey on Jan 19, 2007 15:56:44 GMT
Well by the time Im 50, I hope ill be working on cars from computers, fixing electronic problems and doing MOT work, I dont mind crawling on the floor, and im also hoping im not so knackered that i cant get on the floor etc at 50.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2007 23:12:35 GMT
Hiya Chris, When you can use a computer to do this I'll let you fix my car Goodwood Festival of Speed 2006 Deej
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Post by chrisbailey on Jan 20, 2007 20:06:55 GMT
does playing it on my squeaky doors count?
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