Working in the automotive industry - Page 2

Cheese3 · 01-05-2012, 08:03 AM

yup, as a maintance fitter/turner, i would leave at a drop of a hate and go back to apprentice wages if i could be a heavy diesel fitter at CAT. I applied last year in Melbourne, when i went their and chatted to the apprentice coordinator. He offered me a sales engineer job on the spot. I politely decline saying "if i was 30 (23 last year) with shot wrist, dodgy back and crooked knees i would take the office job but i would like to stay on the tools abit longer" he understood as he was a formerly on the shop floor

Sales engineer was good money but it bewildered me how i could be in sales and never had hands on experiance with the product or a vast knowledge.

As i said before, i would give my left nut to be a heavy diesel fitter and be at CAT

aussie muscle · 01-05-2012, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Damo

Keep the IT job, scout out the most popular tech section on the forum here, buy yourself that model as a project car and self teach with the help of everyone here, or you'll end up hating cars.

He's right, get dad and brother to teach you everything. Maybe even do a project with one of them (but you'll find your brother having worked on cars all week won't want to do it on the weekend as well).

mooseman · 01-05-2012, 08:26 AM

Thanks for the tips guys.

I am now leaning towards the heavy diesel side of things. CAT looks to only open their applications at the end of the year. Is there anywhere else similar to CAT that I can apply.

I'm definitely not staying in the office job, a few more years of this and I'll be bat **** crazy.

mik · 01-05-2012, 06:22 PM

i would give some of the big trucking depots a go like Toll, k@s,etc,etc, plenty of work in these places.

pottery beige · 01-05-2012, 06:33 PM

good fitter has a bit of everything..

fitting, machining, can fabricate, all types of welding, auto sparks, hydraulics, pneumatics, fault find and plenty more..

you'd be surprised how many 'cant' or 'wont' weld.......

aim to build up some of these skills is a good head start on anyone else when trying to gain an apprenticeship.....

Buntz · 01-05-2012, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simple6

I started off in an Auto Electricians workshop with the intention of going on to an apprenticeship, however while I enjoyed what I learn and it shows it's value everyday, I began to hate touching my own car. It just seemed like such a chore.

After 2 years of working there and never starting an a apprenticeship I moved into sales and now am in admin/management style position and because it's such a different field, I'm always eager to get under and work on my cars!

In saying that though - I would love (and always have - even when working as an Auto Electrician) to run my own workshop. Choose the type of business you want like audio/visual or performance modifications etc etc and be your own boss. It would be awesome.

You seem pretty keen so in your position I'd be going in as an Auto Electrician and then opening a business up with your brother (and/or other relatives).

I used to be a real Computer enthusiast. After fixing lots of other peoples machines and having to deal with them... I learned to hate them. And I neglect my own PC these days. So it's just like any other job I suppose.

That being said, I still would like to have all those kinds of skills to build my own cars.

Franco Cozzo · 01-05-2012, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buntz93ED

I used to be a real Computer enthusiast. After fixing lots of other peoples machines and having to deal with them... I learned to hate them. And I neglect my own PC these days. So it's just like any other job I suppose.

That being said, I still would like to have all those kinds of skills to build my own cars.

Lol me too, now I hate computers and cars.

Best thing I've done though is bought that EL I have, sure its not registered or roadworthy at the moment, but eventually when it is, it'll be pretty sweet to drive I reckon.

The best thing about project car is it isn't your daily, so you can leave stuff half done for as long as you like or do things after work over a few days, because its not really needed on the road the next day.

I'm always asking in the E series forum about how to fix things, I've recently just rectified a cooling leak I caused after 3 or 4 tries when I replaced the water pump, victory feels so good, lol.

creative · 01-05-2012, 07:57 PM

Do what my mate is doing in the uk.

I did my mechanics course at college with him. He had a passion for it, I didn't. I enjoy working on my car but didn't want to do it as a job. I decided to stick the course out and glad I did but I am also glad I didn't go further.

My mate on the other hand, he got his apprenticeship at Toyota. He did the majority of his training there and moved to VW. Lasted 6 months and went back to Toyota. As a way of funding the crap wages he would do jobs on the side, in his own time and had permission to use the ramps at work. His training moved him to be their head mechanic in no time and he has a great future with Toyota.

He is still Doing his side jobs, except he has use of a unit with a lift in it for not a lot. He works there on a weekend doing his side jobs. 2 years ago he put a 35% deposit down in cash on a house! He worked hard and saved everything he made on the side.

Watching this guy rip an engine apart in the time it takes me to drive to work is a joy to watch. He made the right choices, did the hard yards and the returns are coming to fruition.

Cheese3 · 01-05-2012, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pottery beige

good fitter has a bit of everything..

fitting, machining, can fabricate, all types of welding, auto sparks, hydraulics, pneumatics, fault find and plenty more..

you'd be surprised how many 'cant' or 'wont' weld.......

aim to build up some of these skills is a good head start on anyone else when trying to gain an apprenticeship.....

sounds like there are plenty of rusty guns(doesn't work and your cant fire them) at all places. It cease to amazes me what people can't do in their core trade. I can weld pretty good, and im still doing welding tickets off my own back. The more skills you have the better chances you can land a job.

You basically listed my core criteria but auto elec I do zilch. Alittle bit of PLC controllers for pneumatic and hydraulic. Diesel fitter would help my mechanic skills (engine repair and fault finding) ive been a ftter for 7 year and confidence to repair almost anything bar engines. Idk if its just mental for me lol