Automotive Service Technician Apprentice

[bubba1983]

whats up guys. Im at a life changing point in my life. The current job im at is a dead end job, ive been at it for 4 years now, and i want to better myself with something more. Im looking into the above titled apprentice program, tryin to do all my research and as they say "get my ducks all in a row".
SO my question to anyone out there, is of course, whats the average pay for a first year apprentice for this title? Im not expecting much, but i also would need something to fufill my current monetary needs (car payment and such). Is it expected to have a full onslaught of tools before you search for an employer/
ANy other tidbits or suggestions would be excellent, as im kinda lost as to where to start in all of this. I am going to contact the local college so they can point me in the right direction...jus wanted to hear possibly first hand experience from other people who went thru this process.....
can we keep this on topic too guys....its something quite important to me

[Kevin@nextmod]

Do you have a well known shop that can hook you up with a job? Dealerships are really hard to get on since school just started and there hardly going to hire anymore. A stack of tools would be best because in this trade you're not going to keep borrowing your co workers tools as they hate it when people use them. If you do'nt have any shop to get into then get into the auto tech program at centennial college. I've been thru auto tech and now i'm in autobody repair. Centennial college is far for you but they have the best program for auto tech in canada.

One more thing is, if you deicde to join the auto tech program, you're gonna have to wait till next year because were in our 5th week of school already, that means were very close to mid term.

But at the mean time i would suggest, collect some tools, get a shop to work into.

[bubba1983]

i don't have intention for this year, this will be for next year
i understand that you have to look around for a shop to work for, thats just part of teh leg work.
thanks for your information, its really helpfull...

i pased up a golden opportunity when i got out of high school for college, i regret it now...i don't want to regret it again..

[Kevin@nextmod]

When you're looking for a random shop to work in, don't expect to get much from the job because apprentice do'nt get much unless you're in the dealership. One good thing working in a shop is you get to finance your tools, thru snap on and mac tools. The finance is interest free and not equal payments. You pay that guy however much you want (but obviously not $5 a week).

If you're not too crazy about the brand then mastercraft have some decent tools and husky is even better at a good price. Go check out the husky tool box that they have, i'm searching for them too, but i have no luck on it because all of the home depot here is out of stock.

Also, if you do'nt mind working from down low. Go hand in resume's everywhere at the dealerships and apply for any position (except jockey). My friend got hired at acura for service, just plain moving cars around and then an opportunity came up and the dealership hired him as an apprentice.
I'll try to find the site that he gave me that got all the dealers numbers.

[Kevin@nextmod]

Found it...!!! here you go....

http://www.tada.ca/en/ConsumerInfo.aspx?SectionGUID=695CA012-885A-4339-B687-B95E3E434056&ArticleGUID

this site lets you do an online resume, and then the dealerships will look at them and call you if they think you're what there looking for.

Hope this helps

[FLIPDADY]

Best way to start is in clean-up. That's how a lot of apprentices start at the dealerships.

[bubba1983]

anything will help right now, thanks ALOT
thats the tuff part i suspect, is finding a shop to hire
my biggest fear at the moment i guess is change...
ive become used to making X amount of money now for 4 years...and i know this will be a big pay cut....its just making that transition ..for me..is teh hard part...

which would you say is more leanient on getting into, a dealership, or a random shop? pros and cons?

[FLIPDADY]

Well a dealership is gonna be harder if you don't have any automotive background. I would say an independant shop would be your best bet. A lot of them might require you to be enrolled in some sort of courses.

I went to Centennial Ashtonbee when I was with Honda. They have other programs available there as well.

http://www.centennialcollege.ca/future/mapinfo.jsp

[dentinger]

im pretty sure a toolbox, full of all the tools you'll use is essential. it shows you are more interested in the feild.
im not sure, but i tihnk my teachers friend is getting out of the trade, and looking to sell his Snap-On tool box, full of tools, for i tihnk 1-2 grand or so.
(amazing deal, btw, snap-on boxes alone can cost $8,000+)

but you can get a decent box, and most tools (not including air tools) for around $2,000 at CT.

and i agree with joe, a small shop is ur best bet.
i went to CT, the largest in Canada, and my friend went to Speedy, he's alraedy signed, and making twice as much as i am.

[iconicrocket]

How much can a mechanic at a dealership make?

I've heard from a listener that phoned into a radio station, and was venting how her son was a mechanic and what a thankless job it was - they have to get their own tools, take abuse from customers and get paid per job and not on salary like the rest of us.

I'm guessing a seasoned mechanic makes around $37K a year.

[Kevin@nextmod]

a mechanic at a dealership or other larger shops do'nt have to deal with customers. The service advisor does all that.

[Wild Weasel]

I'd bet a seasoned mechanic makes a hell of a lot more than $37k/yr!

I'd figure the vets are making double that or more.

[bubba1983]

its not all about money fellas, its about having an established carreer....not just a job...
i have a job now...but no carreer

thanks for continuing info guys...tryinto get this started is a bit daunting

[dentinger]

oh ya, thats another thing you have to remember, mechanics get paid Flat rate.
so if a job calls for 5 hours of labour, and you get it done in 4, you still get paid for 5. however, on slow days, you make next to nothing.
HOWEVER, you dont get bitched at for sitting around if theres no work to do. lol.

and im pretty sure they make more than 37K a year,
hell, i make $8.50 an hour, and i made over $12k last year, on a part time job.

[bubba1983]

thanks for that info. ill be savin a surpplus of monies before i embark on this adventure first

[WhiteSpeed3]

oh ya, thats another thing you have to remember, mechanics get paid Flat rate.
so if a job calls for 5 hours of labour, and you get it done in 4, you still get paid for 5. however, on slow days, you make next to nothing.
HOWEVER, you dont get bitched at for sitting around if theres no work to do. lol.

and im pretty sure they make more than 37K a year,
hell, i make $8.50 an hour, and i made over $12k last year, on a part time job.

i think u should ask for a raise are u on flat rate or hourly

the ct i worked at paid $10.50 hourly and $15.50 flat rate

[WhiteSpeed3]

o and try finding a different place CT doesnt give a shit about there employees LOL knowing from experience

[blue3]

1+ did my co-op there for a year and a half in highschool .

[dentinger]

HAHA!!
+1 to whitespeed3, and blue3!

im on an hourly wage, and im due for a raise.
however, i think the shop manager hates me. theres numerous reasons....
like today, he told me to go clean the lunch room. that includes the toilets, the sinks, the urinals.... i was about an inch away from throwing up.

[Mazda3_06]

hey i was in the same boat as you man if you are under 25 i know of a great program that will help you find your job. and also they pay the employer up to 5000 dollars compensation for taking you on. and they give you a 300 dollar tool allowance also..its not much but its a start.. if your interested PM and i will give you the details i guarantee you will have a job in weeks!

[dentinger]

im already in an OYAP course over here, and the main goal of it is to get you signed as an apprentice....
i just made the mistake of going to CT.

[bubba1983]

ill bw 25 nxtyear so no oyap hurr