Car Mechanic Apprentice

[LNah]

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.

[Miguelone]

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.

[blonk20]

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

[LNah]

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 October 25, 2011 by LNah

[wlspn]

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 October 25, 2011 by wlspn

[LNah]

I work at a Jeep specialist. Very different from what I'm used to, lots to learn and lots of fun. 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?