Mechanic apprenticeship

Philipki

Hi everyone ,

I'm 20 , 2 years out of school and strongly considering an apprenticeship in car mechanics. Throw at me everything you know about this line of work whether it's good or bad! After reading a lot about it on here I'm getting mostly negative vibes but can it really be that bad? Especially if it's your passion and you're guaranteed your €450 or €500 every week working in a garage? With the amount of diagnostics equipment being used to diagnose faults in modern cars , would it be fair to say the job is getting easier from the standpoint of physical work?

aaakev

The apprentices i see doing well in my garage get in with the good mechanics who enjoy what they do and are good at it. The ones who dont do so well are usually in with the moaners who are never happy no matter what.

If you are into it you will get out of it what you out in

Philipki

Yeah I've gathered there are a lot of moaners working in the motor trade. It would nearly put you off beginning your apprenticeship.

JC01

Ex-mechanic here, I've commented on this question a few times, in a nutshell; don't do it!!

Crap money.
Physically hard work that takes it's toll big time.
Crap conditions in 95% of workshops.
It destroys your passion for tinkering with cars.
Very very limited career prospects in the trade.

alta stare

JC01 wrote: »

Ex-mechanic here, I've commented on this question a few times, in a nutshell; don't do it!!

Crap money.
Physically hard work that takes it's toll big time.
Crap conditions in 95% of workshops.
It destroys your passion for tinkering with cars.
Very very limited career prospects in the trade.

Have a family member who was (is) a mechanic. Said he would never go back to it for any money. He is good at it an all just always said it was back breaking and not worth it for the money.

jamesbondings

JC01 wrote: »

Ex-mechanic here, I've commented on this question a few times, in a nutshell; don't do it!!

Crap money.
Physically hard work that takes it's toll big time.
Crap conditions in 95% of workshops.
It destroys your passion for tinkering with cars.
Very very limited career prospects in the trade.

Crap money to begin with no doubt but like any career it goes up with experience. Then there is the nixers market.
It is a physically demanding job much like any apprenticeship role.
Conditions are poor generally in ireland. You need big open spaces to facilitate multiple cars, this space is very difficult to heat and the nature of the work itself means dirty damp conditions (with lots of abrasive chemicals)
Much like any other job if you get a negative attitude towards it, it will destroy your passion.
And for career progression the world is literally your oyster. You will have a trade, that has a value all over the world. Don't want to travel? Set up shop yourself.

It is something I started to do years ago (did a year) don't regret leaving. But I did it in Spain, didn't have to compete with the cold here. Its something I would like to have completed to learn more but hey ho.

JC01

jamesbondings wrote: »

Crap money to begin with no doubt but like any career it goes up with experience. Then there is the nixers market.
It is a physically demanding job much like any apprenticeship role.
Conditions are poor generally in ireland. You need big open spaces to facilitate multiple cars, this space is very difficult to heat and the nature of the work itself means dirty damp conditions (with lots of abrasive chemicals)
Much like any other job if you get a negative attitude towards it, it will destroy your passion.
And for career progression the world is literally your oyster. You will have a trade, that has a value all over the world. Don't want to travel? Set up shop yourself.

It is something I started to do years ago (did a year) don't regret leaving. But I did it in Spain, didn't have to compete with the cold here. Its something I would like to have completed to learn more but hey ho.

I’m not sure if your post is a response to me or aimed at the OP, but it’s both incorrect and bad advice. I qualified in Ireland and became a workshop foreman so my points are all very much from an experienced techs point of view.

I don’t mean to sound like a pr*** but your post is exactly the kind of uninformed opinion and bad information that helped me convince myself it was a good idea to pursue mechanics as a young lad.

Don’t get me wrong I do know mechanics that like the job and there input wouldbe very beneficial to helping the OP see all sides of the job and make an informed decision but those lads are few and far between.

Philipki

Thanks very much for your input. One of the mechanics in my local area even told to stay away from the mechanics game. I've always liked cleaning and polishing etc when it comes to cars so I reckon I'd love a career as a car detailer. Will start another thread and get more information about that. Thanks again.

pablo128

The main problem is there's no unions for mechanics in Ireland like there is for other trades. Couple that with garages willing to take on lads with no formal qualifications and that's what you're competing against.

Body repair/spraying, or valeting as you suggested would be a better option. I gave up working on cars about 13 years ago and wouldn't go back to it as a full time job. I love cars and working on them but my hole will I be paid peanuts for it. I get more working in a warehouse.

Hellrazer

A good mechanic will progress their career very quickly if they want to.
The career path if you want it is to become workshop foreman--service advisor--service manager--after sales manager.

As for the money its actually getting quite decent for qualified technicians where the big dealer groups are offering 40k upwards as they cant get staff due to historical assumptions that they treat their staff crap (usually true if you ask me)

The problem is that mechanics were always the lowest rung on the dealership ladder where salesmen were the golden boys of a dealer.
That attitude is changing or has changed in most dealers nowadays. Your technicians are your most profitable staff members...youre paying them 20 euros an hour and charging 100+ in some places for an hours labour. Ok theres the overheads of a large dealership but that type of profit is huge.

To the OP I say go for it. Its not as bad as some people make out and at the end of the day you`ll have a trade behind you.

The main reasons that people drop out of apprenticeships is because for the first year or so you`ll be sweeping floors,cleaning up after the other qualified lads,emptying bins etc and I have had apprentices walk out because "I can get more money on the dole" for doing nothing--- if you go in with that attitude then its never going to work for you.
A fisrt years wages is €195 a week..that **** considering an apprentice electrician is on almost double that if Im not mistaken and similarily for a plumber.
They also think that they`ll be servicing cars,swopping out engines etc on day one. Not going to happen no matter whether you've been helping your dad out in his garage for the last 15 years and are well capable of doing that sort of work.

This year I was looking for a 1st year and ended up going through 5 different lads because of that attitude until I gave up and found a second year that wanted to move to a different dealer. Im still without a 1st year and could do with one but Im not in any hurry now to get another person with the wrong attitude in the door.

Hellrazer

pablo128 wrote: »

The main problem is there's no unions for mechanics in Ireland like there is for other trades. Couple that with garages willing to take on lads with no formal qualifications and that's what you're competing against.

There are multiple unions for technicians but their wages are set (way too low) by the unions.Most dealers pay well above the national rate.

As for qualifications--the minimum is a junior cert with 5 passes (one has to be maths) but I don't take on any without at least a leaving cert.

Wildly Boaring

Hellrazer wrote: »

This year I was looking for a 1st year and ended up going through 5 different lads because of that attitude until I gave up and found a second year that wanted to move to a different dealer. Im still without a 1st year and could do with one but Im not in any hurry now to get another person with the wrong attitude in the door.

We had an apprentice electrician quit day one as he was put changing 200 lightbulbs.

Attitude is everything on first 12 to 18 months of apprenticeship.

Worst apprentice fitter is now the best fitter I met. Was terrible on tools and thinking things through. But some man to get in under a machine in the wet or stay on to get something sorted. Learned the skills the hard way. Never be a genius with machines. Never be out of work. Set up on his own now with any amount of work if he wants it.

Philipki

Hellrazer wrote: »

A good mechanic will progress their career very quickly if they want to.
The career path if you want it is to become workshop foreman--service advisor--service manager--after sales manager.

As for the money its actually getting quite decent for qualified technicians where the big dealer groups are offering 40k upwards as they cant get staff due to historical assumptions that they treat their staff crap (usually true if you ask me)

The problem is that mechanics were always the lowest rung on the dealership ladder where salesmen were the golden boys of a dealer.
That attitude is changing or has changed in most dealers nowadays. Your technicians are your most profitable staff members...youre paying them 20 euros an hour and charging 100+ in some places for an hours labour. Ok theres the overheads of a large dealership but that type of profit is huge.

To the OP I say go for it. Its not as bad as some people make out and at the end of the day you`ll have a trade behind you.

The main reasons that people drop out of apprenticeships is because for the first year or so you`ll be sweeping floors,cleaning up after the other qualified lads,emptying bins etc and I have had apprentices walk out because "I can get more money on the dole" for doing nothing--- if you go in with that attitude then its never going to work for you.
A fisrt years wages is €195 a week..that **** considering an apprentice electrician is on almost double that if Im not mistaken and similarily for a plumber.
They also think that they`ll be servicing cars,swopping out engines etc on day one. Not going to happen no matter whether you've been helping your dad out in his garage for the last 15 years and are well capable of doing that sort of work.

This year I was looking for a 1st year and ended up going through 5 different lads because of that attitude until I gave up and found a second year that wanted to move to a different dealer. Im still without a 1st year and could do with one but Im not in any hurry now to get another person with the wrong attitude in the door.

Thanks for your input.

bucketybuck

Philipki wrote: »

Especially if it's your passion and you're guaranteed your €450 or €500 every week working in a garage?

How can it be your passion if you have never tried it?

Regardless, as an apprentice your wages are set by FAS/Solas and in the first 2 years will be less than half of that €450 per week.

On the other hand, a lad who comes in and does good work can quickly start earning more money, we have young lads 21/22 years of age earning over €1000 p/w between wages and overtime. They earned it though, we also have a list of lads who we got rid of because they were no use to us.

A mechanical apprenticeship can be of huge value to people. The ones who drop out are the ones who never wanted to work hard in the first place, they just thought it was about fixing turbos and going for test drives, who didn't realise that the garages didn't owe them **** all and so didn't want to spend a few years proving their worth.

khaldrogo

If you really HAVE to do a trade, pick ANY other one and do that.

Just look at any thread on here where someone is slating a mechanic or a garage. Everyone one and their mother fancies themselves as a mechanic on here which as such devalues the trade to the point where mechanics are not respected like plumbers or sparks.

When was the last time on here you saw someone complaining about an electricians bill or the fact they paid a plumber 183e to fix a leak in 15mins but if a mechanic dares to charge 30e for a diagnosis they are a robber!!!!.

Do yourself a favor and keep the mechanics for the weekend.

Philipki

bucketybuck wrote: »

How can it be your passion if you have never tried it?

Regardless, as an apprentice your wages are set by FAS/Solas and in the first 2 years will be less than half of that €450 per week.

On the other hand, a lad who comes in and does good work can quickly start earning more money, we have young lads 21/22 years of age earning over €1000 p/w between wages and overtime. They earned it though, we also have a list of lads who we got rid of because they were no use to us.

A mechanical apprenticeship can be of huge value to people. The ones who drop out are the ones who never wanted to work hard in the first place, they just thought it was about fixing turbos and going for test drives, who didn't realise that the garages didn't owe them **** all and so didn't want to spend a few years proving their worth.

I've assisted my Father in fixing my own car as he's a decent mechanic and I enjoyed helping him and learning a thing or two.

Yeah I know about the apprentice wages , it's fairly bad until year 3.

Many thanks for your input.

On a side note does anyone know is it actually possible to earn €1000 a week as a mechanic? I've never heard of it before to be honest. I spoke with a guy working in one of the biggest , if not the biggest , Volkswagen dealerships here in Cork and he said €500 a week is the absolute most a mechanic will earn.

Philipki

khaldrogo wrote: »

If you really HAVE to do a trade, pick ANY other one and do that.

Just look at any thread on here where someone is slating a mechanic or a garage. Everyone one and their mother fancies themselves as a mechanic on here which as such devalues the trade to the point where mechanics are not respected like plumbers or sparks.

When was the last time on here you saw someone complaining about an electricians bill or the fact they paid a plumber 183e to fix a leak in 15mins but if a mechanic dares to charge 30e for a diagnosis they are a robber!!!!.

Do yourself a favor and keep the mechanics for the weekend.

Something to consider alright. As I mentioned above I'd like to train as a car detailer so gonna look into that further and contact the nearest guy to me who does it. Cheers for your input.

Outkast_IRE

Hellrazer wrote: »

A fisrt years wages is €195 a week..that **** considering an apprentice electrician is on almost double that if Im not mistaken and similarily for a plumber.

Just to correct this all 1st year apprentice wage in a trade is in this region, did plumbing myself, friends did electrician and carpentry and they are all around that in first year.



You are right about the attitude though, its near impossible to finish an apprenticeship without the right attitude. And for me the right attitude was developed by working with guys who actually cared about their work and did things the right way.



Ended up on a short stint with a different foreman who used apprentices as sweeps and shop boys and you would not learn a thing under him, he would then explode on lads when he was stuck and needed them to do a proper job and they didnt have the skills. Got very depressed during that period, ended up changing company to get away from it and in with a better operator. The managers of the company knew the score but wouldnt tackle the issues.

khaldrogo

Philipki wrote:

Something to consider alright. As I mentioned above I'd like to train as a car detailer so gonna look into that further and contact the nearest guy to me who does it. Cheers for your input.

You will make considerably more money doing that and very little stress

TheBully

Hellrazer wrote: »

A good mechanic will progress their career very quickly if they want to.
The career path if you want it is to become workshop foreman--service advisor--service manager--after sales manager.

As for the money its actually getting quite decent for qualified technicians where the big dealer groups are offering 40k upwards as they cant get staff due to historical assumptions that they treat their staff crap (usually true if you ask me)

The problem is that mechanics were always the lowest rung on the dealership ladder where salesmen were the golden boys of a dealer.
That attitude is changing or has changed in most dealers nowadays. Your technicians are your most profitable staff members...youre paying them 20 euros an hour and charging 100+ in some places for an hours labour. Ok theres the overheads of a large dealership but that type of profit is huge.

To the OP I say go for it. Its not as bad as some people make out and at the end of the day you`ll have a trade behind you.

The main reasons that people drop out of apprenticeships is because for the first year or so you`ll be sweeping floors,cleaning up after the other qualified lads,emptying bins etc and I have had apprentices walk out because "I can get more money on the dole" for doing nothing--- if you go in with that attitude then its never going to work for you.
A fisrt years wages is €195 a week..that **** considering an apprentice electrician is on almost double that if Im not mistaken and similarily for a plumber.
They also think that they`ll be servicing cars,swopping out engines etc on day one. Not going to happen no matter whether you've been helping your dad out in his garage for the last 15 years and are well capable of doing that sort of work.

This year I was looking for a 1st year and ended up going through 5 different lads because of that attitude until I gave up and found a second year that wanted to move to a different dealer. Im still without a 1st year and could do with one but Im not in any hurry now to get another person with the wrong attitude in the door.

Where are you getting your figures from? A first year electrical apprentice is not on nearly €400 a week! He would t even get that in 2nd year! Stop spreading bull

Wildly Boaring

khaldrogo wrote: »

When was the last time on here you saw someone complaining about an electricians bill or the fact they paid a plumber 183e to fix a leak in 15mins but if a mechanic dares to charge 30e for a diagnosis they are a robber!!!!.

Do yourself a favor and keep the mechanics for the weekend.

Fella on last week hammering a plumber for his rates - that he didn't bother to check prior call out.

Last recession was v hard of dry trades. Mechanic can be that bit more recession proof.

There will always be those who reckon they can do a tradesman's job but we all know how important proper tradesmen are.

Hellrazer

TheBully wrote: »

Where are you getting your figures from? A first year electrical apprentice is not on nearly €400 a week! He would t even get that in 2nd year! Stop spreading bull

You're misquoting me I never said that they were on 400 a week.
You really need to reread my post.

khaldrogo

Hellrazer wrote:

You're misquoting me I never said that they were on 400 a week. You really need to reread my post.

You said "a first yr apprentice is on €195 pw and an electrian is on almost double that...."

That sounds like you are suggesting a 1st apprentice spark is on almost 400e pw

bucketybuck

Philipki wrote: »

On a side note does anyone know is it actually possible to earn €1000 a week as a mechanic? I've never heard of it before to be honest. I spoke with a guy working in one of the biggest , if not the biggest , Volkswagen dealerships here in Cork and he said €500 a week is the absolute most a mechanic will earn.

I'm in Dublin but like I said, I do regularly pay lads over €1000 per week.

I have 6 lads (out of 20+) on a basic wage between €38000-€40000, then the overtime and breakdown rates can bump that up considerably. The breakdown van in particular can be a real money spinner for those prepared to do it (and good enough to do it of course).

Hellrazer

TheBully wrote: »

Where are you getting your figures from? A first year electrical apprentice is not on nearly €400 a week! He would t even get that in 2nd year!

khaldrogo wrote: »

You said "a first yr apprentice is on €195 pw and an electrian is on almost double that...."

That sounds like you are suggesting a 1st apprentice spark is on almost 400e pw

Stop spreading bull

No need for that attitude--it was a mistake.

Sorry my bad I was looking at a second year rate--€381.00
1st Year electrician is 255--that's 60 more than a mechanic though.

pablo128

Hellrazer wrote: »

As for qualifications--the minimum is a junior cert with 5 passes (one has to be maths) but I don't take on any without at least a leaving cert.

I'm talking about garages taking on lads working as mechanics who have never been formally certified as a mechanic and have no intention of doing so.

The thing is, they aren't actually doing anything wrong. You couldn't have a plumber or Sparks near your house without being qualified or in the company of a qualified tradesperson. Anyone can work on your car.

CianRyan

I’m a 3rd year, I make 450 gross a week in the workshop and also get over time, I also get taxed on that. In tech right now I’m only getting 290 a week because I was made defer a course by my garage.

Now, my place of work is quite good. There is a great work balance and first years are on the tools, working within their capabilities from day one.
If it means they can sweep, they sweep. If it means they can do basic servicing or brakes, they do that.
Don’t take the first garage that offers you a job, find the best. Garages can’t get lads in the doors these days so you’re coming in strong.

The work is hard, cold and dirty. The wages are not in or with what we have to learn.
Expect to know everything and more a 3rd years soarks our plumber knows in 2nd year, it’s all contained in those 4 wheeled boxes.

Get over how tough at can be and how much you need to cram into your head and it can still be enjoyable, if you feel like you’re being rode by management then get through an exam and move to another garage until you’ve found somewhere decent.



Do it, man.
If you love cars then it’s gonna make you appreciate them so much more.


Oh and take out a ****ing mortgage for tools, my tool chest is worth about 5 times more than my car.

CianRyan

Oh and M.A.I. are working on rates, FETAC level and work standards.
Some of the people involved are also my tutors, highly intelligent individuals.

Toyotafanboi

The highest paid lads where I am are on a basic salary in the mid 30's with a bonus taking them into the low 40's, these would be useful lads, good at diagnostic work with a few years experience. It's be very easy to get stuck earning mid 20's after qualifying unless you are good at what you do. Lads who are good with with diagnostic work can walk in the door anywhere (in Dublin anyway) and get a 32-34k basic but fellas who are only really good at servicing won't even see that kind of figure after hitting bonus.

Being a mechanic really will never see you filthy rich, I don't think. I see a few lads leaving lately to work on production equipment in pharma plants and stuff. They ar taking on qualified mechanics with no pharma experience and offering entry salaries of 40k+ for cleaner, easier work so this is a career path worth considering.

DaveyDave

Not a mechanic and don't know any, but it's not wise to do something you like as a job. I love building and working on computers, got a job in a computer shop and it was the most soul crushing job I've ever had. I hated it and would hesitate to help anyone with computer problems after it.

Of course not everyone feels this way, but a few people I know have liked X in their spare time but hated it as a job.

Big Nasty

Spending 40+ hrs a week for 40+ years, damn straight it should be doing something you enjoy!

Wildly Boaring

Big Nasty wrote: »

Spending 40+ hrs a week for 40+ years, damn straight it should be doing something you enjoy!

But too many get shoved into college courses with no love for the realm.

bucketybuck

pablo128 wrote: »

I'm talking about garages taking on lads working as mechanics who have never been formally certified as a mechanic and have no intention of doing so.

The thing is, they aren't actually doing anything wrong. You couldn't have a plumber or Sparks near your house without being qualified or in the company of a qualified tradesperson. Anyone can work on your car.

In fairness, most of the places I know using general ops or fitters are doing so because they actually can't get qualified mechanics.

I know one transport company with a massive new workshop and a huge fleet to service, and they have completely unqualified people doing their servicing because they simply cannot get anybody else.

There is a huge dearth of qualified mechanics out there, we simply cannot get time served mechanics in the door and fight a constant battle to keep the ones we do have.

khaldrogo

Toyotafanboi wrote:

Being a mechanic really will never see you filthy rich, I don't think. I see a few lads leaving lately to work on production equipment in pharma plants and stuff. They ar taking on qualified mechanics with no pharma experience and offering entry salaries of 40k+ for cleaner, easier work so this is a career path worth considering.

Any links or info on this?

Del2005

bucketybuck wrote: »

In fairness, most of the places I know using general ops or fitters are doing so because they actually can't get qualified mechanics.

I know one transport company with a massive new workshop and a huge fleet to service, and they have completely unqualified people doing their servicing because they simply cannot get anybody else.

There is a huge dearth of qualified mechanics out there, we simply cannot get time served mechanics in the door and fight a constant battle to keep the ones we do have.

If they paid enough they'd have staff. Same as any job pay crap wages and have crap conditions and you have huge trouble with staff. Pay them well and/or have good conditions and they'll stay.

Hellrazer

CianRyan wrote: »

Oh and M.A.I. are working on rates, FETAC level and work standards.
Some of the people involved are also my tutors, highly intelligent individuals.

Yep the Muslim Association of Ireland really are trying to help all the mechanics out there :D:D
They really need to change that name as the first search on Google of MAI Ireland brings up the above site.

However in saying that they aren't really making any inroads into making changes in the industry bar raffling a few toolboxes and having a few free training days for mechanics. Apologies for the cynic in me.

What they should be doing is lobbying the government and the SIMI to have a registration system similar to what the Electrical Trade (RECI) and the Gas Installers have (RGI)

The way I see it is that mechanics should be regulated as much as the above trades. You do your training and gain your experience and become a registered mechanic / technician. You carry out a job on a vehicle and the customer gets a cert to say the work has been carried out correctly by a registered technician.

This would have multiple benefits to both the technician and the consumer.
The technician is recognised for the work they are doing and could command a higher wage and it would also do away with non trained "mechanics" working on cars.

The consumer would benefit in that they would know the work was done correctly and would also do away with the whole impression that the motor trade is out to rip customers off and a level of trust would be restored on the trade.

Someone mentioned earlier that no one gives out about electricians and plumbers charges yet a 30.00 euro charge for diagnostic work is mentioned and people go nuts. That needs to change.

Hellrazer

bucketybuck wrote: »

I know one transport company with a massive new workshop and a huge fleet to service, and they have completely unqualified people doing their servicing because they simply cannot get anybody else.

But what happens when one of these people leave caliper bolt loose or a track rod end hanging off and someone dies. That's why it needs regulation.
What about the high voltage systems in the EVs and Hybrids?
Its only a matter of time before an unskilled person is killed by not knowing how to work on these vehicles.

There is a huge dearth of qualified mechanics out there, we simply cannot get time served mechanics in the door and fight a constant battle to keep the ones we do have.

Agreed. The problem was when the recession hit no one was taking on 1st years and now we don't have enough apprentices coming through. We`re all in a rush to get them trained up as soon as possible or either steal a mechanic from someone else by offering more money. Then we`re into a vicious circle of wage increases which is no good for anyone.

DaveyDave

On a side note, just because someone isn't paid a lot doesn't necessarily mean they can't be good at their job. It's down to the employer to set a standard of work but employers have a habit of not firing people despite poor performance. I've had to fix some of the dumbest mistakes from people who have done a job years, even at a management level. Basic stuff too.

People saying that mechanics aren't getting a big enough cut of the €80-100+ hourly rates but maybe some of them aren't doing a good enough job?

Toyotafanboi

khaldrogo wrote: »

Any links or info on this?

This type of thing:

Ideal job spec is someone who has completed an electrical or mechanical apprenticeship and has a bit of common sense.

https://www.irishjobs.ie/Jobs/Electro-Mechanical-Technician-12-month-8242399.aspx?r=1-job-listing

CianRyan

Hellrazer wrote: »

But what happens when one of these people leave caliper bolt loose or a track rod end hanging off and someone dies. That's why it needs regulation.
What about the high voltage systems in the EVs and Hybrids?
Its only a matter of time before an unskilled person is killed by not knowing how to work on these vehicles.




Agreed. The problem was when the recession hit no one was taking on 1st years and now we don't have enough apprentices coming through. We`re all in a rush to get them trained up as soon as possible or either steal a mechanic from someone else by offering more money. Then we`re into a vicious circle of wage increases which is no good for anyone.

It would be really good for me! The wages are so far behind where they need to be, a fully qualified mechanic starting on a general salary can not afford to live any life other than on the bread line, you’re totally relying on your other half to have a decent wage.


I’d mirror was was said about MAI, they are in early stages though. I’m sure they have to be seen to be doing something to benefit the trade before going and lobbying, I’ll be in full support once they start.

Hellrazer

CianRyan wrote: »

It would be really good for me! The wages are so far behind where they need to be, a fully qualified mechanic starting on a general salary can not afford to live any life other than on the bread line, you’re totally relying on your other half to have a decent wage.

Agreed. Considering the amount of training that a technician actually goes through the salary is way out of sync.
Some technicians train longer than a doctor does<<that's not right.

I’d mirror was was said about MAI, they are in early stages though. I’m sure they have to be seen to be doing something to benefit the trade before going and lobbying, I’ll be in full support once they start.

I suppose he cynic in me has taken over as Ive seen similar groups come and go for nearly 25 years.
In the beginning these groups were part of the trade union movement who actually did manage to get yearly increases for all motor trade employees ,not just mechanics.
I think MAI are going to cause friction between employers (dealers) and employees (mechanics)
Even the way they are presenting themselves is in my opinion the wrong way to go about it.

If you are an apprentice or a mechanic working in a main dealer and you feel you have been mistreated in some way then you need to support the M.A.I.

In all fairness what can a group on facebook do for a single employee who feels they are being mistreated?
Employee rights are far superior to what a group on facebook can do for an employee.

That single sentence above has rightly gotten under my skin and if I was a 1st year apprentice Id be disappointed when I realised that they could do nothing for me.
Just reading it makes it out that this group are able to help out a disgruntled employee when in reality they can do nothing.


Ill take a wait and see approach before I decide whether to support them or not.

Outkast_IRE

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

This type of thing:

Ideal job spec is someone who has completed an electrical or mechanical apprenticeship and has a bit of common sense.

https://www.irishjobs.ie/Jobs/Electro-Mechanical-Technician-12-month-8242399.aspx?r=1-job-listing

When they say mechanical apprenticeship what they mean ideally is Plumber / Pipe Fitter .

Toyotafanboi

Outkast_IRE wrote: »

When they say mechanical apprenticeship what they mean ideally is Plumber / Pipe Fitter .

You'd wonder why they don't say plumber then as that's a trade in itself. I've seen a few good mechanics leave us to go to similar roles.

Really, I think they just want someone with a national craft cert in something to prove they are practically minded and then they will train them in house anyway.

Outkast_IRE

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

You'd wonder why they don't say plumber then as that's a trade in itself. I've seen a few good mechanics leave us to go to similar roles.

Really, I think they just want someone with a national craft cert in something to prove they are practically minded and then they will train them in house anyway.

It's very common in the engineering and building industry to refer to M&E - mechanical and electrical - Mechanical refering to the mechanical services in a building typically installed by plumbers , fitters etc.

But your dead right a craft cert and the right attitude is what alot of the employers hope for

Toyotafanboi

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

You'd wonder why they don't say plumber then as that's a trade in itself. I've seen a few good mechanics leave us to go to similar roles.

Really, I think they just want someone with a national craft cert in something to prove they are practically minded and then they will train them in house anyway.

Many manufacturing plants have moved away from having actual time served electricians and time served fitters for a model where they have a mechanical guy and an electrical guy paired up, often level 6 or 7 3rd level qualified.

I've worked in loads and loads of such facilities and have rarely seen an actual mechanic hired for anything but production roles, where no qualification are actually required.

Lots of these places try and leave the complicated stuff to the vendors/specialists and have their in house maintenance folk for unplanned maintenance or soft part changeout etc during shut down.

Farfromhome02

Personally op I would avoid
Having worked in a yard on cars and trucks myself
It's a dirty underpayed job
Your only 20,find an occupation that actually pays you for hours worked
Good luck

chicorytip

What is the definition of a qualified mechanic anyway, say in comparison to a qualified electrician?

khaldrogo

chicorytip wrote:

What is the definition of a qualified mechanic anyway, say in comparison to a qualified electrician?

I don't understand? A qualified mechanic is someone who has completed all the phases and exams of their apprenticeship.

The same as any other trade I'd imagine

QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate Craft – Motor Mechanics
QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate Craft - Electrical

chicorytip

khaldrogo wrote:

I don't understand? A qualified mechanic is someone who has completed all the phases and exams of their apprenticeship.

khaldrogo wrote:

The same as any other trade I'd imagine

I don't believe so. It would be interesting to know how many older members of the profession or those not employed by main dealers have ever sat a written examination. I would be surprised if it were very many.

Outkast_IRE

chicorytip wrote: »

I don't believe so. It would be interesting to know how many older members of the profession or those not employed by main dealers have ever sat a written examination. I would be surprised if it were very many.

Actually the same in alot of the trades that the FAS / SOLAS block release phases are only mandatory about 30 years approx . Before then you could do them them out of your own pocket, there would be loads of older guys who did not do a written exam . Just full on the job learning.

Some of the older plumbers and fitters I worked with were telling me about it .