Jump to content
SAU Community

Recommended Posts

Hi guys! I posted a topic about the procedures of becoming an auto apprentice not long ago. Got my wish granted and now a 1st year apprentice for a pretty big workshop. Just like to know if it's normal for 1st years to do anything but mechanical stuff and in my case, doing cleaning up and helping at the wrecking area. (workshop does wrecking as well) Did a couple of minor services and little hands on jobs but that was it for the moment. Just wanna know if that's normal and what can I really expect. Would love to hear from any current apprentices, ex apprentices or anyone who knows someone who is or was an apprentice.

Link to comment
https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/381182-car-mechanic-apprentice/
Share on other sites

I'm a first year too, about 6 months in now I think.

Fairly normal for you to be doing shit work, taking out bins, sweeping, mopping, cleaning the work utes and loan car. Most of my first month was more watching and observing, helping do small stuff. Now I'm doing jobs more or less by myself. You'll get there, just be patient. Conversely I've heard from some of the guys at trade school that they've gone straight into doing full on jobs by themselves though this is mostly at smaller, independent workshops.

yeah that sounds about right i guess i was lucky and only had to go for like 2 months of helping other ppl before i started doin my own services(just basic ones) but as time went on i did more and more involved stuff. ultimately it depends on where you are and how they like to do it. as mig said be patient and you will get bigger jobs. even still i still had to empty the bins and mop all the way through my first year till we got 2 more first years

Cool. I know it's pretty normal for the shit work to be left to the apprentices and I don't mind doing only smaller stuff like I'm doing now. Due to being an apprentice, it's fair enough as I don't know enough to do the real jobs by myself. Right now, like mig, I'm learning by watching and observing and lending an occasional hand to do some of the more difficult stuff. They also got me to take on really simple jobs for a start. But then I'm still pretty happy where I am at the moment. Like you guys said, definitely will be patient and take things slowly at a time. I wouldn't want to be rushing to try to learn everything now.

Edited by LNah

Hey champ,

Finished my apprenticeship around 2 years ago so still all pretty fresh in my mind.

What you are saying is all very normal.

Someone has to do the shit work & seeming you're the new guy & being paid the least it makes sense for you to do it.

It sucks but that's how it goes... Especially being in a bigger workshop.

Put as much effort as you can into doing even the shittiest jobs & show you're really keen. & hey, I'm now managing my own department at work, have my own assistant, etc & still have to pick up the mop sometimes!

As long as you're not being taken advantage of (& get a second opinion if that's the case as at some times you may feel that way when it's really not the case) then it's cool. Stick with it! All the best...

EDIT: See you're in Vic... Do you mind me asking where you work?

Edited by wlspn

I work at a Jeep specialist. Very different from what I'm used to, lots to learn and lots of fun.:cheers: The only issue I have is the weight of the parts, real heavy!

Hey champ,

Finished my apprenticeship around 2 years ago so still all pretty fresh in my mind.

What you are saying is all very normal.

Someone has to do the shit work & seeming you're the new guy & being paid the least it makes sense for you to do it.

It sucks but that's how it goes... Especially being in a bigger workshop.

Put as much effort as you can into doing even the shittiest jobs & show you're really keen. & hey, I'm now managing my own department at work, have my own assistant, etc & still have to pick up the mop sometimes!

As long as you're not being taken advantage of (& get a second opinion if that's the case as at some times you may feel that way when it's really not the case) then it's cool. Stick with it! All the best...

EDIT: See you're in Vic... Do you mind me asking where you work?

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now


  • Similar Content

  • Latest Posts

    • There are several aftermarket options available, from not-too-painful moneyhttps://justjap.com/collections/driveshafts-bearings/products/d-max-reinforced-replacement-rear-driveshaft-set-fits-nissan-s13-s14-s15-r32-r33-r34-c35 and  https://justjap.com/products/crank-motorsport-billet-rear-axles-fits-nissan-skyline-r33-gts-t-r34-gt-t?srsltid=AfmBOorQk4xkGUa98kO7v2ePLUiNt-HRrM2AwWNw9mbSIVE1ujBVwY__, all the way up to The Driveshaft Shop https://driveshaftshop.com/skyline-cv-axles/
    • Yeah based on old XRC5964S specs, it looks to be roughly GTX3576R sized? But this 5964S compressor will flow 90lb airflow somewhat similar to the compressors in both the GTX3584RS or G35-1050.. I fully expected the 0.64 rear A/R to choke up top - seems way too small from typical convention - but these are seemingly beneficial over the prior 0.82 results.. Be interesting to see if he comments on the EFR question in that thread - he mentioned in a prior video that BW EFR's were the "cats pajamas 10 years ago", but by the sounds of things all his kits have been using Xona for quite a while now.
    • Yeah it’s still got the oem manual gearbox and clutch, only kinda mods are a blow off valve, coil overs, and a aftermarket intercooler. Also had it for about 2 months now with a lovely midnight purple paint on it.
    • Yeeeppp, been following a lot of the testing on the latest Xona stuff and there are some mental results.  He also went over 1000hp @ 4 hubs on his Mainline with a XRE6364S (63mm) which was also well into the 20psi range before 4000rpm on a 2.5. Crazy stuff. Fwiw the XRE5964S is basically the modern equivalent of their old HTA3582 - would drive nicely enough on an RB25 or 26, but proven capable of a huge amount of power if you want to spicy with rpm tho even at sane boost levels will make stout numbers 
    • The axels in my R33 seem tired, and have a bit of play in them. I cannot find any new of course, not interested in buying used, but I am looking to see if anyone can identify some cross compatible axles. In the states I have seen suggested for S chassis the J30 axles, however for the skyline (as best I can tell) the lengths are about an inch off (2.5cm) on both sides. R33 my measure L 22" R 24.5" GPT L 22.5" 24.25" J30 L 23.5" 25.5"  so shaft length is probably an inch wider. Not sure if someone has another still remanufactured option besides the J30. I figured worst case I can buy a pair tear them down and swap the center shaft. My other option was reaching out to GSP to see if they cannot piece together a set, since the axle stubs are still manufactured, I wouldn't think it be that hard to find a shaft or make a shaft work. 
×
×
  • Create New...