I need a career change

[Cbr1k]

Hiya Folks,

I'm sick of office/warehousing and I need a change.

I am considering getting a trade. I''ve always been technically/mechanically minded so I'm leaning towards becoming an apprentice.

Working on bikes would be great but there aren't many employers.

So I am considering either Car, Diesel or Marine. Also considering a fitter. So I have a few questions to throw out to the audience in the hope there is wise ones out there.

Is there much prospects for mature age apprentices?
Whats the pay like as an adult apprentice (I've tried searching but there is too much conflicting info)
Is there much difference between a fitter and a mechanic? Is one better than the other?
Are there more job opportunities and better pay if you are a car mechanic or diesel?

Thanks
Rob

[CitizenD]

Hiya Folks,

I'm sick of office/warehousing and I need a change.

I am considering getting a trade. I''ve always been technically/mechanically minded so I'm leaning towards becoming an apprentice.

Working on bikes would be great but there aren't many employers.

So I am considering either Car, Diesel or Marine. Also considering a fitter. So I have a few questions to throw out to the audience in the hope there is wise ones out there.

Is there much prospects for mature age apprentices?
Whats the pay like as an adult apprentice (I've tried searching but there is too much conflicting info)
Is there much difference between a fitter and a mechanic? Is one better than the other?
Are there more job opportunities and better pay if you are a car mechanic or diesel?

Thanks
Rob[/b]

Heavy Duty Diesel Mechanic mate.

All apprentice wages suck, but HDDM has probably the best employment options out there at the moment.

[Rich]

OK...I'm a Fitter
I'm trained as both a diesei fitter and a fitter/machinist
A fitter is a fitter is a fitter
I do anything that says fitter or technician
I've been a gearbox fitter, fitter/machinist, diesel fitter, pump fitter, hydraulic fitter, maintenance fitter, Heavy duty fitter, fixed plant fitter and more

Now here's the thing Electrician is bettter, cleaner, mostly, pays more, mostly and other things..

But if it's mechanical your after a fitter is the way to go.

Aim for a Diesel fitter it's the most technical, interesting and you can always dumb down once your qualified..

I like Fixed plant, good money, no brains required...

There is opportunity for Adult apprenticeships..the money is crap as an apprentice but is better if you go bush..FIFO

As a fitter it's easier for me to get a mechanics job, but the way things are at the moment minesites are happy to take mechanics and train them a bit..

[kel999]

[
Working on bikes would be great but there aren't many employers.

Its worth doing a ring around and asking some of the shop's?

[Rich]

And do bike mechanics get Paid $120k ayear for 2 weeks on 1 week off

Plus 9% super on all the hours you work, and training, and all ya food and accomadation for the two week you are working..

[CitizenD]

And do bike mechanics get Paid $120k ayear for 2 weeks on 1 week off

Plus 9% super on all the hours you work, and training, and all ya food and accomadation for the two week you are working..[/b]

Whoop, the boys are measuring pay stubs...this could get messy.

[Rich]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(S4R @ Apr 12 2007, 08:11 PM) [snapback]468196[/snapback]

And do bike mechanics get Paid $120k ayear for 2 weeks on 1 week off

Plus 9% super on all the hours you work, and training, and all ya food and accomadation for the two week you are working..[/b]

Whoop, the boys are measuring pay stubs...this could get messy.
[/b][/quote]

I have no idea what a bike mechanic earns...

But if you like working for funny, well enjoy..

I do it for the money..

[CitizenD]

But if you like working for funny, well enjoy..

I do it for the money..[/b]

You whore

[GORCAT]

OK...I&#39;m a Fitter
I&#39;m trained as both a diesei fitter and a fitter/machinist
A fitter is a fitter is a fitter
I do anything that says fitter or technician
I&#39;ve been a gearbox fitter, fitter/machinist, diesel fitter, pump fitter, hydraulic fitter, maintenance fitter, Heavy duty fitter, fixed plant fitter and more

Now here&#39;s the thing Electrician is bettter, cleaner, mostly, pays more, mostly and other things..

But if it&#39;s mechanical your after a fitter is the way to go.

Aim for a Diesel fitter it&#39;s the most technical, interesting and you can always dumb down once your qualified..

I like Fixed plant, good money, no brains required...

There is opportunity for Adult apprenticeships..the money is crap as an apprentice but is better if you go bush..FIFO

As a fitter it&#39;s easier for me to get a mechanics job, but the way things are at the moment minesites are happy to take mechanics and train them a bit..[/b]

pretty much wrote my CV there fella, mech if ya dont mind getting filthy, electrical if ya wanna keep your hands clean, refrigeration for a bit of both and plumber if ya have a permanent blocked nose, all of the above will keep you employed for life once you are qualified.

[Stratos]

Ive heard about some electrician apprentices getting stupid amounts working in the mines. Like 1st years earning amost as much as 4th years, with the existing 4th years on rather larger sums. If your in for the money thats the way to go, it can be dry at times, but u can make it amusing, it might contradict with the safety regulations at times.

[Rich]

..... but u can make it amusing, it might contradict with the safety regulations at times. [/b]

What like seeing how loud an Oxy/Acetylene bomb you can make and not get caught...

[Stratos]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Stratos @ Apr 12 2007, 09:00 PM) [snapback]468239[/snapback]

..... but u can make it amusing, it might contradict with the safety regulations at times. [/b]

What like seeing how loud an Oxy/Acetylene bomb you can make and not get caught...
[/b][/quote]

Or strapping the opposite side of a battery bank, so the poor sod who is meant to be strapping it properly ends up welding the bolts to the terminal and blowing off the lug on the strap, whilst jumping across the room screaming obcenities, ahaha. Yea that kinda stuff Just dont get caught.

[BERT]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(S4R @ Apr 12 2007, 07:57 PM) [snapback]468181[/snapback]

OK...I&#39;m a Fitter
I&#39;m trained as both a diesei fitter and a fitter/machinist
A fitter is a fitter is a fitter
I do anything that says fitter or technician
I&#39;ve been a gearbox fitter, fitter/machinist, diesel fitter, pump fitter, hydraulic fitter, maintenance fitter, Heavy duty fitter, fixed plant fitter and more

Now here&#39;s the thing Electrician is bettter, cleaner, mostly, pays more, mostly and other things..

But if it&#39;s mechanical your after a fitter is the way to go.

Aim for a Diesel fitter it&#39;s the most technical, interesting and you can always dumb down once your qualified..

I like Fixed plant, good money, no brains required...

There is opportunity for Adult apprenticeships..the money is crap as an apprentice but is better if you go bush..FIFO

As a fitter it&#39;s easier for me to get a mechanics job, but the way things are at the moment minesites are happy to take mechanics and train them a bit..[/b]

pretty much wrote my CV there fella, mech if ya dont mind getting filthy, electrical if ya wanna keep your hands clean, refrigeration for a bit of both and plumber if ya have a permanent blocked nose, all of the above will keep you employed for life once you are qualified.
[/b][/quote]

Beat me to it, I to am a mechanical fitter and turner and have worked in a variety of fields since getting trade papers.
You wont go far wrong with a trade, but mechanics can be a bit brand specific nowadays due the different technologies etc that are in use.
I know that some employers prefer mature age apprentices as they are more dedicated and have done most of the silly stuff that comes with youth ( what we still do .... but with wisdom ! ) You may get better training as you will have some abilities and experience and not have to sweep the floor as much.
One thing I do know is that there are not enough tradesmen in WA and wont be for some time, you are guarenteed a well paying job once qualified

Bert

[Sean'o]

What like seeing how loud an Oxy/Acetylene bomb you can make and not get caught...[/b]

Ahhh the good old days, garbage bags make for a nice size acetylene bomb, they also get you headlines on the front page of the Hobart paper

[Rich]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(S4R @ Apr 12 2007, 09:04 PM) [snapback]468243[/snapback]

What like seeing how loud an Oxy/Acetylene bomb you can make and not get caught...[/b]

Ahhh the good old days, garbage bags make for a nice size acetylene bomb, they also get you headlines on the front page of the Hobart paper
[/b][/quote]
That is one LOUD bang...

[Dubs]

apart from workplace agreements

WA has a minimum wage guarantee for apprentice&#39; 21 and over - the rate not being aound $6.60ph it is raised to $11.21

but if you are covered under a "traditional" federal award, it MIGHT only be the same as a 15yo apprentice

chech with skills they have a lotof incentives fpr employers and employees that came in on jan 1 2007 and more in july 2007


DUbs

[Insane]

check out the awards listing @ http://www.wairc.wa.gov.au/awards/MET001/p...001clauses.html
it explains in there what the minimum wages are for adult apprentices.. and they are not really all that bad...

As fitter there is really nothing that you can&#39;t turn you hand too..
As quote Gorcat quoting S4R.. sounds pretty much like my resume..
after years of kamikaze contracts I leaned a little more to the engineering side of things like R&D technician, Design Drafting..

If any of my kids wanted to be a fitter these days.. I&#39;d tell them to go into hospitality and travel and see and enjoy the world...
work like a troll for a couple of years .. travel and tour for a year or so.. then start again..

[chief wiggum]

seen it mentioned that electricians dont get their hands dirty....not always so. and depending on what area you end up in, you may have to crawl around in roof spaces and under floors...maybe not so good for you. plus insulation batts are a PIB

[Cbr1k]

seen it mentioned that electricians dont get their hands dirty....not always so. and depending on what area you end up in, you may have to crawl around in roof spaces and under floors...maybe not so good for you. plus insulation batts are a PIB[/b]

Which is why I dont want to be a sparky. My uncle is always hassling me to work for him, but I&#39;m not really built to go crawling around cabling in tight spaces. :/

[Rich]

And as a fitter you will be jammed in tight spots too..

Whilest using an Arc welder, in 45 degree heat...

Climb in thru that little opening in the end of that drum and spend a coupla hours in there, Yes you do sometimes earn your money...