Quote: Originally Posted by CNVCTD [View Post] Hey bro just putting my opinion out there and I don't wanna put you off, but being a apprentice mechanic is just a waste of time. $250 a week is just a joke, its like they're making you work for free, the bosses and tradespeople are just pricks and will hassle you day in and day out. As a first year all you will be doing is cleaning **** up and making coffee for everyone as well as buy them lunch. And God forbid if you spill only a tiny drop of oil or otherwise they will raise the roof. All in all unless you truly enjoy cars and don`t mind copping **** and getting **** money for the work you do go for it and be an apprentice. I did one week of work experience unpaid at this workshop and even the guy i worked for told me its **** and not worth the time working as a mechanic. **** that ****. you sound like on of those people who skips job to job bitching and moaning coz someone left a skiddy on the toilet bowl or because you cant cop **** wages and show some initiative to take the time to learn a skill not all bosses are ****heads, the ones who are fair know how many mistakes a first year will make and thats because they know its part of learning the trade

start selling crack. u are your own boss, good money, and can work when eva you like..

Quote: Originally Posted by sle3per [View Post] sounds good, i might be getting some work experience for 1 or two weeks at a performance shop, because thats where ultimatly my passion for cars lies. i thourght when your a qualified mechanic your also a qualified heavy vehicle mechanic aswell ? No. Heavy/diesel is separate.

Ah ok Epitaph, i was just curious because after my cousin finished worked at holden he went to a truck work shop and just started working unless he had to do a short course before hand. would anyone recommend a performance workshop for me to consider ?

Quote: Originally Posted by ISK8BY [View Post] you sound like on of those people who skips job to job bitching and moaning coz someone left a skiddy on the toilet bowl or because you cant cop **** wages and show some initiative to take the time to learn a skill not all bosses are ****heads, the ones who are fair know how many mistakes a first year will make and thats because they know its part of learning the trade buddy if you enjoy working for people who dont appreciate your work and get paid peanuts for what you do then great but like i said im just putting my opinion out, you know what that means? its something you say to express whats on your mind and share your views with other people that is different from what other people think. And yes most trades bosses are ****heads always moody other apprentices treat you like **** **** doing trades even when you are fully qualified your still only getting about 40,000 a year.

i was the exact same as u mate love performance just like loud fast cars... learn ur basics 1st how a motor runs how a diff works how it goes togeather once ur qualified then hit up the performance shops... n im currently 4th year apprentice at holden... plus u do performance mods on ur own car soo ull c if its for u like ive fitted n re-built my diff exhuast cams shaft everything pretty much...

You MUST love cars in every way to really stick it out in the Auto Industry. You deal with f.uck sticks all day and 'experts' who don't want to listen to your advice. Modifying a car is an art - and lots of people want to cheap out and take short cuts because they want to have their fun now and sell the car in 6-12 months after it is a bucket of crap. You do get a few guys every now and then who know what they are on about but are time poor, cash rich and want it done properly. These are the best customers. You work overtime on these cars and don't really get paid for it, but you're doing the job right. Feels good in the heart and when you see it perform on the track and everyone goes WTF - you feel great about your work and all that overtime was worth it. My suggestion is that you look into doing another apprenticeship that pays better, eg: anything in building or fabrication etc and work on cars as a hobby on weekends. Working on **** heaps all day long kills the passion for your own cars and mods. Love & Enjoy cars as a hobby and make mega cash elsewhere. If you're looking at making big bucks as a mechanic, it's not going to happen as the industry is shrinking and the performance / aftermarket side of things has gone down 60% since 2008 levels. Working with an OEM will give you a good understanding of systems and processes etc. Try to get into a prestige OEM, like BMW, Audi/Volks, Porsche and you will be able to charge the big bucks and shift between other prestige marques. A friend who is a head mechanic at a Japanese OEM makes $55,000 pa..... **** money in my opinion but that's what the industry pays. Base wages are around 35-40k inc super which is pretty low in my books. Plumbers and builders etc, can get up to 75-90k depending on their contracts + you can do home renovations for your self and others for some good coin on the side.