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Original poster

Ds wants to be a mechanic, good job or not nowadays?

23 replies

giraffesarefab · 19/01/2019 21:00

Ds has decided he wants to be a mechanic, I think it's great and will support him as much as I can, I'm just wondering if anyone here is a mechanic or is married to one - any tips?
He is still at school and is doing a BTEC in Engineering as well as 8 GCSE's. He is predicted 5's and 6's.

Dh trained as a mechanic when he left school but he said the pay was much less than now (30 years ago) and the opportunities weren't really there like they are now.

Thanks for reading.

OP posts:
Original poster
giraffesarefab · 20/01/2019 18:27

Anyone?

OP posts:
DangerMouse17 · 20/01/2019 18:31

Well I would listen to DH.

I would get him to progress with engineering...aeronautical or something?? Probably better prospects and pay working for someone like rolls Royce or bar systems?? Have a look at options there.

DangerMouse17 · 20/01/2019 18:32

BAE systems*

BlueThursday · 20/01/2019 18:54

DH left school at 15 to be a mechanic and really had average jobs and pay until he went offshore so now he’s still a mechanic but on a ship

I’d totally recommend looking at marine engineering as opposed to straight forward motor mechanics.

TeaandSunshine · 20/01/2019 19:43

There is a huge shortage of HGV/PSV mechanics in the UK if that's something he might be interested in.

DH is in his 60's and is still constantly being offered jobs, although he's happy where he is for now. When his generation retire the shortage will get worse as so few young people are going into the trade.

FoofFighter · 20/01/2019 19:46

Yes it's worth it, for instance there's a shortage of mechanics for agricultural and industrial equipment (tractors, diggers etc).

DP can pretty much ask for what he wants money wise, atm he is on £15ph ( employed)

HTH?

FoofFighter · 20/01/2019 19:47

He's never had to apply for a job either barring his first position as people are headhunting them all and bite his hand off

Stiddleficks · 20/01/2019 19:49

I know a hgv mechanic on a little less than a 6 figure salary, it can be a very good career choice if you specialise.

StereophonicallyChallenged · 20/01/2019 19:51

Small/medium size garage owners can do very well ime.

StereophonicallyChallenged · 20/01/2019 19:53

That's the size of the business, not the size of the mechanic Grin

Troels · 20/01/2019 20:19

My Dh is a mechanic, we lived far from my mother for a long time and her mechanic, who was excellent, used to tell her that a good mechanic is worth his weight in gold.
Good mechanics can always find work and if they want, run their own business. My Dh made an excellent living at it.

Original poster
giraffesarefab · 20/01/2019 21:54

Thank you all so much, he has always been into lorries and farm machinery so he would definitely be interested and thrilled to hear this.
Thanks again.

OP posts:
Needallthesleep · 20/01/2019 22:02

A friend who was headed towards being a mechanic has ended up doing an engineering apprenticeship at one of the big airlines and having a fantastic career out of it.

Hotterthanahotthing · 20/01/2019 22:06

Or he could do his A levels and do an apprenticeship.

Isth · 20/01/2019 22:06

As a pp says, there’s a massive shortage of agri mechanics right now. If you’re good, you’re worth your weight in gold.

Harrykanesrightsock · 20/01/2019 22:07

DH was a truck mechanic and is now a transport manager so there is progression. The downside is being a manual worker today is that there is a lot of broken 60 plus year olds in the garage. Wise to try and work for a larger company with good staff feedback.

amusedbush · 20/01/2019 22:28

My brother is 22 and qualified as a mechanic a year ago. He is already looking at moving into fixing buses because he says there are more opportunities in that, and more money.

My dad has been a horticultural engineer (grounds and farm machinery) since he was 16 (now 58) and loves it. Has been in constant employment since his apprenticeship and enjoys what he does. I don’t know how much he makes but he always has new apprentices so there must be enough work.

CrispbuttyNo1 · 20/01/2019 22:31

DP is a mechanic and earns very good money, never short of work and regularly gets headhunted. We are in the south west and he earns more here than he did when we lived in London.

DownstairsMixUp · 20/01/2019 22:42

My dh is. It's pretty crap round here for a career (a well known company the worst to work for) so he is an fibre optic installation engineer full time employed now and does mechanic work self employed on the side..: tops our income nicely and good for when we have issues with our cars but I don't think it's a great career choice

DisgraceToTheYChromosome · 20/01/2019 22:43

A good HGV mechanic is worth his weight in gold. However, he needs to be careful with employers: there are firms out there who expect vehicles to be bodged up and sent out again. The Bath tipper crash was the most recent example of this verminous behaviour.

Wallywobbles · 20/01/2019 22:59

The future maybe in AI farming equipment. Currently not enough people who can fix the driverless tractors and machinery etc.

domton · 21/01/2019 03:36

I don't know anything about electric cars, but I wonder if this is relevant?

DisgraceToTheYChromosome · 21/01/2019 17:34

Electric cars have about six moving parts. No oil, water, gears, transmission or ignition. They'll kill the aftermarket repair trade.

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