Who's a mechanic or pannel beater and whats the job like?

[TaraHymen]

thats light vehicle.

the reason there is a shortage is cos the mines will snap up anyone with a bit of knowledge and pay them 100K leaving perth dry.

[zc347]

Hi, I'm a mechanic and i love it. I work at a Ford dealership too, (added bonus). To say whether you'll like it is up to you. Depends what type of person you are. I love car's, especially Ford's. I also love working with my hands. I've done many desk jobs, including parts interpreter and gotta say you have to follow your heart / passion. i was extremely unhappy sitting behind a desk with a mouse in one hand. I took a pay cut and did an adult apprenticeship, was the best move i ever made. Because i was so passionate i have won many awards during my apprenticeship. If you are dedicated and pasionate about what you do you will always succeed. Good luck with your choice!

[DEVL-XR]

The only thing I'm worried about with both jobs is if they pay crap. I'd like to be earning good money. Either job I think I would love tho. At TAFE doing graphics on a blo0dy computer all day bores me now. I just want to get up and actually do something with my hands. I'm very passionate about cars, hence the reason I think I'd love a job revolving around them.

[XR5Turbo]

Surely there is more chance to make the big bucks from panel beating, but it's a potentially dodgy occupation, bidding for jobs, cutting corners, Cut and shuts, re-birthing, the whole tow truck scene, links to organised crime etc.

With either occupation, you will make more dollars by specializing in high end cars. Owners of these cars will just write you a blank cheque to get things done. Lower spec owners you will be forever chasing with debt collectors and more likely to get shot, or your workshop burned down, especially in some areas.

[boss-290]

We've got to look at this realistically.

I see this all the time at school, people are always saying, being a mechanic because it pays crap... But like most jobs.. if not all pay pretty stingy at first, but this when you move up the food chain and start earning the serious cash.. Its all about patients.

People want to earn the big bucks straight away when they leave school, but thats not always the case.

[Tony xa]

I think out all of the options stated spray painting is a great choice as it has great options for going it on your own doing work on the side and already has pretty desent pay if your a desent painter and realisticaly even if your not like alot .
Also being it that you seem to already like art stuff such as graphics but would rather be more hands on then this would be a good on both levels .
I find the biggest problems with painting is finding the right shop for yourself and the health issues .Unfortunatly most paint shops are run by oldschool painters no masks smoke in one hand gun in the other but once these guys are gone I think health issues will be much better .

which ever way you go remember money is great but so is living your dreams .I was 30 when I quit a good paying job to start a pre ap at tafe and become a spray painting appenticship and love every minute of my job now .
Best of luck