How to become a mechanic

cullow123

I would like to know how to become a mechanic, what's the best route into becoming an mechanic is it through an apprenticeship or some place else. What's the salary of a mechanic like . Is it the best time to go into this area.

My background: I am 23 and currently in 2nd year of a business degree and have got a higher certificate in business. I am a car fanatic but don't know much engines.

Thanks

Ed

aisr1ofk43dpy5

An apprenticeship is the only way, not sure what a qualified mechanic would earn but you won't become a millionaire.

colm_mcm

Nothing like working on cars every day to cure you of your life for them.

Bigus

Keep doing your business degree and offer to work free on a Saturday in your local independent garage first as a mechanic , to see how you like it.
If you're a car fanatic there are loads more ways of getting involved in the car business, including ,management , sales or working for a motor distributor.

On the other hand you could,make loads of money at something else and keep the cars as a hobby ?

quadrifoglio verde

Keep the cars as a hobby unless the idea of fixing a car that hasn't had it's oil changed in three years because sure it passed the nct so it's fine brigade appeal to you. .Very few of those who I know that like cars want to work as mechanics.
I'd stick with the business degree get a good job and tinker with them as a hobby.

Bpmull

Op if I was you I'd finish second year and then during the summer try to get into a mechanics for a few months even if you have to do it for free/ low wage. After 3 months of constant work as an apprentice mechanic if you still like it by then it's worth considering. If your sick of it it's still only summer so you can go back to college for third year win win really at least you will have options then. But considering you have no real experience of working as a mechanic it could a mistake to drop out of your course now so the above is a better way to do it IMO.

Toyotafanboi

quadrifoglio verde wrote: »

Keep the cars as a hobby unless the idea of fixing a car that hasn't had it's oil changed in three years because sure it passed the nct so it's fine brigade appeal to you.

i don't see how this would be any more or less appealing than fixing a well serviced car. you either enjoy the job or you don't. if you enjoy the job you'l probably love people who don't maintain their cars because there will be bigger, more interesting repair jobs in it for you, rather than just oil and filter changes.

dr.fuzzenstein

colm_mcm wrote: »

Nothing like working on cars every day to cure you of your life for them.

I work on my own and it certainly enhances your vocabulary of swearwords!
Still, I think personally I might enjoy working with cars as a job, but into my 40's now and I think it's too late for a major career change, certainly couldn't put up with years of earning a pittance as an apprentice again.

dr.fuzzenstein

cullow123 wrote: »

I would like to know how to become a mechanic, what's the best route into becoming an mechanic is it through an apprenticeship or some place else. What's the salary of a mechanic like . Is it the best time to go into this area.

My background: I am 23 and currently in 2nd year of a business degree and have got a higher certificate in business. I am a car fanatic but don't know much engines.

Thanks

Ed

Also, do get your degree. Business is probably not the most exiting thing in the world, but always have a Plan B.

cullow123

Thanks everyone for your advice , I think I'll stick with my degree and have a look into the mechanics over the summer.

dr.fuzzenstein

cullow123 wrote: »

Thanks everyone for your advice , I think I'll stick with my degree and have a look into the mechanics over the summer.

Sounds about right, anyone we can rescue from becoming another suit sounds good.

aquarius10

My son who is also a car fanatic was lucky enough to find a garage who was willing to take him on as an apprentice mechanic and is currently training with fas to be a mechanic with them, he is on phase 3 now in the garage and waiting to be called for phase 4.

There is very little information to be found on the course, fees etc but he has been told that he will have to pay around €1,000 in fees for phase 4 ?

Is this correct as he did not pay fees for phase 2, maybe exam fees but they were not too much.

I hope to ring Solas (new fas) today to get more information but it's very vague and their websites offer only basic information. Would be grateful for info, thanks

biko

Buy a heap of crap and restore it. If you enjoy that there may be a future in becoming a grease monkey for you

dr.fuzzenstein

biko wrote: »

Buy a heap of crap and restore it. If you enjoy that there may be a future in becoming a grease monkey for you

Best way to achieve this: buy a classic car. Usually simpler and a very handy guide to understanding the basic principles. The simpler the better.
Or, maintain your modern daily runner and run a classic car as well. That way you'll always have backup when one or the other decides it fancies a few days (or weeks :eek:) off the road.
If you still don't hate cars after a few years of doing this, it's for you.
Or as I always say, I love cars, they just don't love me...

celica00

quadrifoglio verde wrote: »

Keep the cars as a hobby unless the idea of fixing a car that hasn't had it's oil changed in three years because sure it passed the nct so it's fine brigade appeal to you. .Very few of those who I know that like cars want to work as mechanics.
I'd stick with the business degree get a good job and tinker with them as a hobby.

I agree with that! Make sure you won't get sick of it after years and years fixing easy or tricky problems (and also coming across all the customers).
You could easily get involved in certain car circles (not speaking of boy racers etc) Like clubs, Mondello track days etc etc

cullow123

aquarius10 wrote: »

My son who is also a car fanatic was lucky enough to find a garage who was willing to take him on as an apprentice mechanic and is currently training with fas to be a mechanic with them, he is on phase 3 now in the garage and waiting to be called for phase 4.

There is very little information to be found on the course, fees etc but he has been told that he will have to pay around €1,000 in fees for phase 4 ?

Is this correct as he did not pay fees for phase 2, maybe exam fees but they were not too much.

I hope to ring Solas (new fas) today to get more information but it's very vague and their websites offer only basic information. Would be grateful for info, thanks

How many phases are there to be come fully qualified ?

aquarius10

cullow123 wrote: »

How many phases are there to be come fully qualified ?

Not too sure how many exactly, think it's 6 phases over about 4 yrs.

roadsmart

I'd suggest doing an evening class in car maintenance for a couple of terms. Start with the beginners level and move on to advanced for the following term. You'll pick up enough to service your own car and you'll find out if you like it.

aquarius10

From FAS website it's : 3 off the job phases & 4 on the job phases but you should contact them or call into FAS and get some information leaflets.

cullow123

roadsmart wrote: »

I'd suggest doing an evening class in car maintenance for a couple of terms. Start with the beginners level and move on to advanced for the following term. You'll pick up enough to service your own car and you'll find out if you like it.

I'm taking a look into this at the moment.

roadsmart

cullow123 wrote: »

I'm taking a look into this at the moment.

Great way to learn, some of these should be near you;

http://www.eveningclasses.ie/products.asp?cat=180

I think the link is out of date but most of the classes are ongoing term to term.

JohnBoy26

cullow123 wrote: »

How many phases are there to be come fully qualified ?

7

The12thMan

colm_mcm wrote: »

Nothing like working on cars every day to cure you of your life for them.

yes, speaking as an ex-mechanic.

DONT do it as a job if you love cars. do it as a hobby at weekend.