Automotive Trade (getting Out)

mrgo40rd · 30-01-2007, 09:35 PM

Well ive had enought ive only worked in the automotive trade as a mechanic for the past seven years but ive had enought.firstly the money is crap you do a trade work on crap apprentice wages and at the end you dont earn much better. the award is $15.65 a hour (what a joke) its a skilled job.thank god i earn slightly more than that.you work your guts out for a company making them around 5k-6k a week in services and you take home $550 and you work dam hard for it.why would you wont to do a trade as a mechanic i must say you do have a great skill at the end but nobody wants to pay good money.well thats my ***** i wonder if anybody else has the same feelings as me.

Psycho Chicken · 30-01-2007, 09:36 PM

Where were you working if you don't mind me asking?

mrgo40rd · 30-01-2007, 09:38 PM

dealerships -mitso - alfa - subaru

irsa76 · 30-01-2007, 09:39 PM

Been there, done that and got out. Now a courier. One problem though, keep thinking about getting back in!

**thefargo** · 30-01-2007, 09:40 PM

with your skills, what's the alternative? is there more money in opening your own workshop? I guess you could have a total change of direction, but as you say you have learned skills and are good at it. I'm not a mechanic, but understand what you are saying, just am interested in what other options you have.

Dave_au · 30-01-2007, 09:43 PM

Tuner & Machinist?

Engineering?

MON10A · 30-01-2007, 09:45 PM

apply for jobs at mines,pick where you want to live and earn $$$ im on 85500+ super,most are screaming for people experienced or not

mrgo40rd · 30-01-2007, 09:49 PM

opening a workshop is expensive looking at getting into the freight industry more money more chances of moving up the ladder a mate is helping me get a job i can earn more in 3 days than a week as a mechanic

MoreHPformyXR6 · 30-01-2007, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrgo40rd

Well ive had enought ive only worked in the automotive trade as a mechanic for the past seven years but ive had enought.firstly the money is crap you do a trade work on crap apprentice wages and at the end you dont earn much better. the award is $15.65 a hour (what a joke) its a skilled job.thank god i earn slightly more than that.you work your guts out for a company making them around 5k-6k a week in services and you take home $550 and you work dam hard for it.why would you wont to do a trade as a mechanic i must say you do have a great skill at the end but nobody wants to pay good money.well thats my ***** i wonder if anybody else has the same feelings as me.

Im hearing you mate, not that im a mechanic but it seems like pretty hard work for a fully qualified tradesman of seven years experience to taking home $550 a week in Sydney after working your guts out & billing out 5k to 6k a week. Hope you got something to go too? Or you just walking without another job to go too? If its the later is that the best decision

:

sfr rob · 30-01-2007, 09:54 PM

I know what your on about mate....
I cant believe how bad the money is in the industry. You guys that are qualified have put in 4 or so years of learning, practical experience etc should be getting more than the kid flipping burgers at mcdonalds does.
There is simply no incentive for anyone to jump into the trade or to work at full steam when you are getting paid peanuts.

One word of advice, dont look into the Transport Industry, I am looking at getting out of it soon, It WAS good about 2 years ago, but too many new law's are being passed and making it harder and harder to do your job.

sfr rob · 30-01-2007, 09:55 PM

by the way, i dont roll out of bed for under $250, I dont know how you guys do it. Honestly.

Smoke Pursuit · 30-01-2007, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrgo40rd

Well ive had enought ive only worked in the automotive trade as a mechanic for the past seven years but ive had enought.firstly the money is crap you do a trade work on crap apprentice wages and at the end you dont earn much better. the award is $15.65 a hour (what a joke) its a skilled job.thank god i earn slightly more than that.you work your guts out for a company making them around 5k-6k a week in services and you take home $550 and you work dam hard for it.why would you wont to do a trade as a mechanic i must say you do have a great skill at the end but nobody wants to pay good money.well thats my ***** i wonder if anybody else has the same feelings as me.

Pretty ****poor whne you consider what your boss would be charging you out at..

Green X · 30-01-2007, 09:57 PM

Pick up some HD Diesel units at Tafe and hit the mines, 100K+ easy and you will do less work.

I am a Mechanical fitter (3rd year) working in the Metro aria; soon as my time is up I will be Dust.

Got a mate who works for Chevron Texaco as a Fitter in WA, works 6 months of the year and that’s not including his annual leave and makes easy double what I do, Man I hate him for it, thou I what him to 2 tee me up a Job so I am nice LOL.

MoreHPformyXR6 · 30-01-2007, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfr rob

by the way, i dont roll out of bed for under $250, I dont know how you guys do it. Honestly.

Sounds like you have got a job rolling around in bed for $250 rofl.

:

BlackBa · 30-01-2007, 10:01 PM

Dont get me goin on the crap wages , started in 1966 as an apprentice on 6pound per week.Got out in 1980 to do sales.Its a job i love but you coudnt live on the wage.Cleaners get better money. JCXR

LUXO_8 · 30-01-2007, 10:04 PM

while im not a mechanic i am in the auto industry, been there 7 years and will be getting out this year.............
being full time employed on apprentice type wages sucks the big one

Miller · 30-01-2007, 10:05 PM

I always tried to convince my mate to leave cars as his hobby rather than his occupation.

He didn't listen and is now regretting is $300 a week apprentice wages.

EBFalcs · 30-01-2007, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miller

I always tried to convince my mate to leave cars as his hobby rather than his occupation.

He didn't listen and is now regretting is $300 a week apprentice wages.

i learned that my self i started an apprenticeship in the auto industry, 5 months in i thought stuff this, i like working on cars as a hobby and at my own pace but not under this pressure and deadlines. and $240 a week, no wonder i quit.

FPV8U · 30-01-2007, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miller

I always tried to convince my mate to leave cars as his hobby rather than his occupation.

He didn't listen and is now regretting is $300 a week apprentice wages.

Not the 1st case of this i have heard of, a mate of mine loved cars, did the same thing, just under a year later quit, bad wages, bad treatment and started hating his only real passion.

DJR MAN · 30-01-2007, 10:17 PM

Diesel shops are screaming out for mechanics, but make the switch now.
There are massive recruitment drives in schools and TAFE's to get kids into the diesel trades to counteract the shortfall. Get in the diesels now and get yourself established. Even working in a truck shop in a capital city will earn you good dollars, definatey better than the car industry, and usually there is regular paid overtime too.

After that then hit the mines.....$$$$$$$$$$$$

One more thing, don't tell the employment provider or diesel shop that "your 5 year plan" is to go to the mines. They'll drop you like a bad habit. They've had a gutful of training guys only to go to the mines, and losing their fully trained men.

nobbystang · 30-01-2007, 10:27 PM

I was earning $12.42 an hour as a qualified tradesman in 99 when I finally quit and joined the Navy. Best thing I did, needed to get out and see the world!!

old_mate · 30-01-2007, 10:28 PM

transport in general sucks i think

i left the airlines on 20 an hour including shift penalties fully qualified as a avionics maintenance engineer. Im now doing another apprenticeship as a commercial electrician and getting 25.50 an hour. Pay goes up again when i start my data cabling stuff. Awesome.

Blue Oval Mopar Man · 31-01-2007, 12:04 AM

Mate , I know its still hard work, but you should think about starting your own business! I know there are many mechanics doing that , but you just have to be smart about a few things and you will make it !

Rollin · 31-01-2007, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrgo40rd

Well ive had enought ive only worked in the automotive trade as a mechanic for the past seven years but ive had enought.firstly the money is crap you do a trade work on crap apprentice wages and at the end you dont earn much better. the award is $15.65 a hour (what a joke) its a skilled job.thank god i earn slightly more than that.you work your guts out for a company making them around 5k-6k a week in services and you take home $550 and you work dam hard for it.why would you wont to do a trade as a mechanic i must say you do have a great skill at the end but nobody wants to pay good money.well thats my ***** i wonder if anybody else has the same feelings as me.

I could have written that exact paragraph and all the details would have been accurate!

Being a mechanic FTL.

Being a uranium geologist FTW (my gf's Dad is one and he is DISGUSTINGLY loaded!)

**Mechan1k** · 31-01-2007, 01:12 AM

Become a courier and earn easy money for doing bugger all work. Well ... you work ... but you can take it easy or make yourself busy ... your choice ... depends how much you want to earn though.

Gotta pick your companies wisely though.

XR Martin · 31-01-2007, 01:13 AM

I see ads in the paper here looking for mechanics and the pay isnt less than $50k, what kind of shithole are you working in only making $550 a week?

I was an apprentice in '99 and made $190 a week, gave that up after 6 months. I know back then the qualified guys there were making $500ish a week (plus bonus) and I thought that was **** even then.

mowog · 31-01-2007, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfr rob

by the way, i dont roll out of bed for under $250, I dont know how you guys do it. Honestly.

**** I pay more than that in Tax per day...

I use to fix cars as well... I tried Aircraft for 20 years then got into IT... IT is so easy... No getting dirty in Aircon all day... And its not hard work.

GXL078 · 31-01-2007, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MON10A

apply for jobs at mines,pick where you want to live and earn $$$ im on 85500+ super,most are screaming for people experienced or not

What jobs can you do there that don't involve going underground?

ORESUMSR · 31-01-2007, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrgo40rd

opening a workshop is expensive looking at getting into the freight industry more money more chances of moving up the ladder a mate is helping me get a job i can earn more in 3 days than a week as a mechanic

Have you given any consideration to starting your own mobile workshop with a fully kitted out van?

A good mobile mechanic is worth his weight in gold and customers will keep coming back for the "Home" service.

Not too hard to set up, Van, tools, a GOOD eye catching ad in the yellow pages and some letterbox drops will probably see you under way and you only answer to yourself and your customer, no middle man hovering over you and dictating working conditions here.

XRchic · 31-01-2007, 10:50 AM

Eamon read this last night and agreed with everything said. He as an apprentice mechanic until he completed it last year. Wages suck. He was paid around $15 an hour, qualified. His charge rate was $95 per hour. The mechanics all got treated hideously - some of the things that went on would be harrassment and bullying and if anyone had the balls to stand up, they could get done big time for that.

Their workplace was an OH&S nightmare and the work was just crap, at the Ford dealership, where they worked on Hyundais, Jeeps and a few Fords as well as mostly general rust buckets that came in with the $99 shop-a-docket service vouchers.

There was no chance to earn more money or get ahead - one guy had been there for 20 years, was a brilliant mechanic and was only on $40K a year!

He left the trade last last year and is now working at the local abattoir. He gets as much overtime as he wants, even Saturdays. He is treated really well, he is paid more, there are more opportunities and its cleaner than being a mechanic, believe it or not!

We tried some applications at the mines, but didnt really get anywhere.. perhaps we asked the wrong places!