Any vechile mechanics or learning mechanics?

Hi guys, well i've finally decided to take a step in the right direction with my life, get my head down and learn a trade so that by the time i'm in my early 20's i'm easily employable and can enjoy my life .

I am looking to become a mechanic obviously through fulltime college/apprientiship. My one question to the mighty org...


When learning to be a mechanic, like any trade is it a nessesity almost to have some experience, or and general knowledge of the paticular trade. I am told not by friends, but just wondered if anyone had any experience, going almost blind but prehaps with a desire or intrest into a trade.

Essentially can you really learn from the bottom of the level with just determination and drive, i am not thick and aslong as i apply myself to something can acheive it.

Do you think this ambition is possible. Matt.

p.s. i'm now 18, almost turning 19.

[Dave20046]

Aslong as you're willing to learn and aren't a complete academic nonse (think inbetweeners) then you should be aight. It'll come very fast if you're interested and have something you can relate it to, luckily for you you have a bike and a car, no?

Originally Posted by Dave20046

Aslong as you're willing to learn and aren't a complete academic nonse (think inbetweeners) then you should be aight. It'll come very fast if you're interested and have something you can relate it to, luckily for you you have a bike and a car, no?

I may do/say some stupid things, but suprisinly i was expected good results in school until essentially i dropped everything without being big headed i'm not atall thick as i say. Just a lazy ****... but time i get my head down.


Yes i have a bike and car, yes i want to learn, and yeh the main concern really was would it come aslong as i listened and learnt etc... or did you need a knowledge of it already. Well i'm gonna be phoning college tomorrow. Woop.

Like Dave says, if you're willing to learn and have a couple of brain cells to rub together, starting at the bottom is no problem.
I'm doing an engineering apprenticeship. Before I started, I had absolutely no experience with lathes or mills, the most I'd done that would approach engineering is fit a gsxr front end to my SV. Now I'm flying

[DarrenSV650S]

Originally Posted by ManxMatt34

learn a trade so that by the time i'm in my early 20's i'm easily employable and can enjoy my life

[Wideboy]

Originally Posted by Dave20046

Aslong as you're willing to learn

and there it is right there, that listening and watching. when you get to college and start your apprenticeship you will see the ones that wont make it as they are the ones who **** about, don't do what they're told and dont watch something when they are shown "how to"

i started as a marine engineer...... new sweet f all about any of it same with boat building, carpentry then joinery and machining didn't have a clue, but i simply showed willing to learn, i watched and i listened and i passed it all with a distinction

[Wideboy]

oh and remember starting at a company as an apprentice your expected to be crap so dont worry

[Dave20046]

No knowledge required
It's possible; treat it seriously, be responsible and work your **** off. Most important thing on an apprenticeship (if you're in the workplace) is always find something to do - looking busy at all times is essential. At my first apprenticeship we were monitored by camera at all times so it came natural quickly (ofcourse there was the odd fireextinguisher fight behind closed doors ).
I started with little knowledge in IT I'm now 2 years on supposedly to become a manager at the start of the year*

*whether or not it happens is another matter, but I'll stay optimistic

Go for it - but do yourself a favour. Don't learn just the minimum required. Actually learn about vehicles, the intricate details, the engineering required. Clue yourself up on differant engine types, differant valve trains (some cars use cam chains, some use cam belts for example). Some, like the mazda RX8, dont even have pistons. Learn what things like oil does (it does more than just lubricate!) and know when things should be changed, knwoeldge you could pass onto customers so they know how to keep their vehicle well maintained.

The more you know about vehicles in general, the less scared you'll be when you come across something that you havn't seen before as you can relate it to what you've learnt previously.

And insist that you never

ever

ever

work on french cars.

Well, maybe the once if its an "initiation test"

[edit]

Wankel.

[Dave20046]

A* how did you manage to complete that post without using the work 'wankle' once?