32 y.o Aircraft Mechanic Apprenticeship.

Mods feel free to move this if posted in the wrong forum.

I'm thinking of doing an aircraft mechanic apprenticeship (not in Ireland) starting next September. It's something I've always wanted to do but just worried about future job prospects. Am I mad to be doing this aged 32?

I have an ordinary degree in mechanical engineering but no decent work experience. I feel getting a specific skill would open more doors for me. As I'm living abroad getting a level 8 degree isn't really an option.

Any opinions apreciated.

fro9etb8j5qsl2

My OH is an aircraft mechanic, he did his apprenticeship after his leaving cert and has been working since. The basic salary for an entry level aircraft mechanic in Ireland isn't great (about 28000 pa). He has found that he has to keep doing extra modules and exams constantly to stand any chance of promotion. He looked into working abroad (where he would get paid a lot more) and discovered that he would have way better opportunities of employment if he did a few more modules to qualify him to work on different aircraft.

So basically, you're not mad for wanting to do it and the job opportunities are there but you're studying wont end with your apprenticeship and if you want to work your way up and get promoted, you will have to do add on courses which are costly and time consuming. Hope this helps

kona

stephen1381 wrote: »

Mods feel free to move this if posted in the wrong forum.

I'm thinking of doing an aircraft mechanic apprenticeship (not in Ireland) starting next September. It's something I've always wanted to do but just worried about future job prospects. Am I mad to be doing this aged 32?

I have an ordinary degree in mechanical engineering but no decent work experience. I feel getting a specific skill would open more doors for me. As I'm living abroad getting a level 8 dwgree isn't really an option.

Any opinions apreciated.

Go for it, get B1 and B2. Trust me you won't be the oldest to start at 32

I don't know who pays 28k per year starting , But You get license and shift pay and plenty of leave, it's great!

quietsailor

Deleted User wrote: »

Mods feel free to move this if posted in the wrong forum.

I'm thinking of doing an aircraft mechanic apprenticeship (not in Ireland) starting next September. It's something I've always wanted to do but just worried about future job prospects. Am I mad to be doing this aged 32?

I have an ordinary degree in mechanical engineering but no decent work experience. I feel getting a specific skill would open more doors for me. As I'm living abroad getting a level 8 degree isn't really an option.

Any opinions apreciated.

If it's any help there is a BEng in UL in Aeronautical engineering which is an offspring of the Mech Eng degree. As you already have a Mech Eng degree & if you had life experience in a relevant field you'd be able to go in at third year I'd imagine - that'd be 2 yrs education to get qualified in the aero industry.

kona

quietsailor wrote: »

If it's any help there is a BEng in UL in Aeronautical engineering which is an offspring of the Mech Eng degree. As you already have a Mech Eng degree & if you had life experience in a relevant field you'd be able to go in at third year I'd imagine - that'd be 2 yrs education to get qualified in the aero industry.

If you want to sit in a office all day this is great. Still doesn't give you a understanding of aircraft that lads who actually work on them have.

tu2j2

kona wrote: »

If you want to sit in a office all day this is great. Still doesn't give you a understanding of aircraft that lads who actually work on them have.

An "engineer" knows how an airplane works, an engineer knows why

You are old to be starting but still not the oldest and anything that adds to your skills is never a waste of time.

Having a degree will help with the EASA modules its just it'll be a tough 4 years but when its over and you manage to get licensed and a type course then it will be worth it (or so I keep telling myself ) There are plenty of jobs out there if your willing to travel and seeing as your not in Ireland that shouldn't be a problem.

Katunga

at 32 you're not to old to start in the industry I'm currently training with Ryanair (22) people from Dublin Aerospace are training with us, one is in his forties and an other in his mid thirties
aim for a b1 or b2 or both.
getting a B will take longer to build up the experience but go for it.

Thanks for the replies.

A feel a bit more encouraged to go for it. The thoughts of going back to college fills me with dread so this is why I'm thinking of going for this apprenticeship as it seems more hands on. I have till September to think about it.

Thanks again.

Jeasus

Go for it

Try and find out if your easa modules exams will be included in the training, some apprenticeships dont include them,if there not included be sure to do them off you own back. Make getting a licence your priority. Once licenced you can always get work the only problem is it may not be in your ideal location or continent. More licences, types the easier to find jobs that suit you.

Your age shouldn't be a problem as long as you can accept the low money starting out and your degree would give you an advantage in years time if you want to get off the tools. Wish I had one.

quietsailor

kona wrote: »

If you want to sit in a office all day this is great. Still doesn't give you a understanding of aircraft that lads who actually work on them have.

With the complexity of modern engineering and the fact that technicians specialize in areas I can almost guarantee you most modern, recently trained lads working on the aircraft DON'T have a total understanding of them.

Maybe someone with years under their belt as a service tech who then went on to become an engineer knows everything, other than that no, no-one knows everything/

kona

quietsailor wrote: »

With the complexity of modern engineering and the fact that technicians specialize in areas I can almost guarantee you most modern, recently trained lads working on the aircraft DON'T have a total understanding of them.

Maybe someone with years under their belt as a service tech who then went on to become an engineer knows everything, other than that no, no-one knows everything/

Technicians? It's not installing sky.

quietsailor

kona wrote: »

Technicians? It's not installing sky.

That's a different argument about debasing the description "engineer", either way this is going off topic so lets leave it at that.

All the op needs is advice/information & arguing over who knows best isn't helping him (I presume your a "he" OP )

kona

quietsailor wrote: »

That's a different argument about debasing the description "engineer", either way this is going off topic so lets leave it at that.

All the op needs is advice/information & arguing over who knows best isn't helping him (I presume your a "he" OP )

Well either way, the engineers who work on aircraft know them inside out. I found your post to be quite condescending to be honest.

Open Up

Can I be so bold as to ask who has offered you this apprenticeship?

Open Up

Open Up wrote: »

Can I be so bold as to ask who has offered you this apprenticeship?

Wasn't offered it as such. It's with an aviation academy. I had a meeting and I'm eligible based on my engineering background. I do have to pay for the apprenticeship but guaranteed job at the end of it.

kona

stephen1381 wrote: »

Wasn't offered it as such. It's with an aviation academy. I had a meeting and I'm eligible based on my engineering background. I do have to pay for the apprenticeship but guaranteed job at the end of it.

What!? Pay to be an apprentice !? Hold off for the airlines to advertise soon!

A320

kona wrote: »

What!? Pay to be an apprentice !? Hold off for the airlines to advertise soon!

Agreed,Don't leave them set a trend

Dogwatch

Deleted User wrote: »

Wasn't offered it as such. It's with an aviation academy. I had a meeting and I'm eligible based on my engineering background. I do have to pay for the apprenticeship but guaranteed job at the end of it.

Sound like the flight school in Waterford that went bust( same M O ) Can't remember their name