pekwah1
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| posted on 31/8/13 at 10:03 PM |
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A new career in the auto industry
Hi Guys,
So after a bit of advice, getting pretty p*ssed off at my current workplace and have been thinking about a change for a while.
Basically i'm a massive car nut and have thought it would make sense to get a job doing something car related.
Love the idea of being a mechanic, but honestly don't think i have the skills for it without training and obviously wouldn't be earning
much if i did that.
So i'd be looking for a job paying £30k or more, but not really sure what options there really are.
In terms of my skills, i've been working as a service engineer but pretty simple stuff, i don't have any of the usual service engineer
qualifications (electrical, mechanical etc) but am very technically minded.
I've kinda been pushed towards service management stuff at the moment which is fine.
Anyway, this is all pretty vague but if anyone's got any ideas of jobs that are attainable with what i've described i'm all ears!
Thanks,
Andy
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mookaloid
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| posted on 31/8/13 at 10:16 PM |
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About the only job you can get in the auto industry with the potential to make £30k per year but with no qualifications is car salesman.
"That thing you're thinking - it wont be that."
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pekwah1
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| posted on 31/8/13 at 10:35 PM |
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that's kinda what i was thinking....
is a car salesman job as bad as everyone makes out?
I'm very much a people person and can see myself doing that kinda thing, but selling crappy kia's or similar would probably bore the crap
out of me!
I'm sure everyone wants to see lambos etc but then i do realise you have to start somewhere....!
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mookaloid
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| posted on 31/8/13 at 10:59 PM |
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well I did it for a while and I can tell you that being enthusiastic about cars gives you no advantage at all for being a car salesman. The best
salesmen often have a very loose grasp about cars but are very good with people.
Have you watched 'the dealership' on channel 4 - I think it's on 4OD
here not a completely fictional representation IMHO.
If you want to do it then you need to go round car dealerships and ask for a job. Basically show that you have the 'nads to do it and someone
might give you a chance.
"That thing you're thinking - it wont be that."
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bi22le
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| posted on 31/8/13 at 11:45 PM |
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A friend of mine is a true petrolhead and that got him a job as a salesman. He hated it quite quickly although he worked for his favourite car
manufacturer.
The thing he enjoyed most was talking to the techs in the workshop and going home.
Its a more interesting job for a born salesman not a petrol head.
Unfortunately I dont know you so dont know your age, reliance on income or goal posts in life.
For me as a 30 year old with a mortgage and a wife that earns well I would spread my bets and be inventive. I have many money making ideas that I dont
have time to implement.
If your not confident but want to be pick up old cars and crap things and practice over time. Once you have confidence to do work you will find
private mechanic work. Build up slowly. If your young and have a flexible stable job then a transition over several years is a good goal.
For me, a lot of drive I find is seeing light at the end of the tunnel. Life is a journey, try not to get too lost.
Track days ARE the best thing since sliced bread, until I get a supercharger that is!
Please read my ring story:
http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/forum/13/viewthread.php?tid=139152&page=1
Me doing a sub 56sec lap around Brands Indy. I need a geo set up! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHksfvIGB3I
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morcus
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| posted on 31/8/13 at 11:59 PM |
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My cousin said very simillar things about being a car sales man and he did it for a few years at various dealerships, the best perk was access to the
cars which he got to borrow, the actual job isn't really something for an enthusiast which is why the salesmen usually know very little about
cars (More than once I've heard a car salesman say a car didn't exist that I could physically see while he was saying it).
If you want a car based job, try setting up your own Limo company. Granted we didn't get very far when me and my dad did it but we broke even
and only did one job before everyone had to move, and we had lots of intrest from people wanting to hire us.
In a White Room, With Black Curtains, By the Station.
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bi22le
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| posted on 1/9/13 at 12:19 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by morcus
My cousin said very simillar things about being a car sales man and he did it for a few years at various dealerships, the best perk was access to the
cars which he got to borrow, the actual job isn't really something for an enthusiast which is why the salesmen usually know very little about
cars (More than once I've heard a car salesman say a car didn't exist that I could physically see while he was saying it).
If you want a car based job, try setting up your own Limo company. Granted we didn't get very far when me and my dad did it but we broke even
and only did one job before everyone had to move, and we had lots of intrest from people wanting to hire us.
Bloated industry and far too much investment for long term return.
How about offering cheap and quick servicing, mot, clean and electrical accessories installation for cab drivers. All important stuff relative to your
customers and a very large customer base. Visit them, at home, while they sleep and do the whole lot. Good service will spread fast via word of mouth.
Track days ARE the best thing since sliced bread, until I get a supercharger that is!
Please read my ring story:
http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/forum/13/viewthread.php?tid=139152&page=1
Me doing a sub 56sec lap around Brands Indy. I need a geo set up! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHksfvIGB3I
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pekwah1
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| posted on 1/9/13 at 12:39 AM |
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not bad ideas, but i am also 30, oh no, 31 now...
i also have a mortgage so can't really gamble on my income.
I get that being into cars isn't what you need to be a car salesman, but i honestly believe it's something i could be good at. I've
got a good rapport with most and i'm pretty good at adapting it based on my audience.
It's more a case about wanting to chase money and something i'm more interested in.
A crappy sales job could lead to a better sales job (exec bmw/merc etc) which could in turn lead to prestige.....
Hmmm i dunno, a lot of strange ideas up my sleeves too with zero capital to be able to do anything with.... maybe i just need to invent a new toaster
and go on dragons den 
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JAG
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| posted on 1/9/13 at 07:03 AM |
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Why not do a qualification with a part-time course?
You can do everything from a Technician course (gets you a job as a Mechanic) through to a complete Degree (gets you a job as an Engineer). There are
plenty of other courses if the technical side doesn't interest you.
It's hard work but to earn £30k + you will need some qualifications.
Good Luck with whatever you do 
Justin
Who is this super hero? Sarge? ...No.
Rosemary, the telephone operator? ...No.
Penry, the mild-mannered janitor? ...Could be!
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T66
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| posted on 1/9/13 at 07:50 AM |
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With an electrical/mechanical background have a look at Oil&Gas or wind turbines. I have been looking at a job swap in the next couple of years
and there both in a boom period.
Oil & Gas always want "offshore experience" but with a bit of pushing and a willingness to go at the drop of a hat, it could be done.
As for wind turbine work, its a relatively new game and the experience is something they like, but cannot always achieve. With a spend of about £3000
you could do most of the training courses required, and with a bit of a push get a start somewhere. However the jobs are contract type, so expect to
have to move about for a while. There are wind farms both on and offshore being built all over the world, and with gearboxes with a service life of
only 5 years there will be a shed load of maintenance to follow once they are up.
Another slant I have looked at is NDT training, quite pricey to start with, but with all the construction going on, Inspectors are in demand.
Similarly HSE advisors with NEBOSH qualifications.
Get on linkedin and start having a look at folk in the respective area you fancy, then look at their background & qualifications, and like I do,
contact them and ask questions - how,why,when ? etc
I am no expert on any of the above, but I have done my homework over the last 6 months or so, as I prepare to leave my current job.
http://www.maersktraining.com/
http://www.aisgroup.co.uk/training-services
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big_wasa
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| posted on 1/9/13 at 08:21 AM |
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I've worked in sales, sales is sales weather its selling onions or cars. I loved the job so much that for the first five years I would say that
I wouldn't give it up even if I won the lottery.
Knowing the product helps but being able to ask for the sale is all that counts when meeting targets. And its the ever increasing targets that will
grind you down.
I found it hard asking for the sale knowing the customer could not afford the product. Having a conscious is no good to a sales person.
When ever I do work for people they all say I am wasted driving oil tankers but they probably wouldn't be so keen if they where paying the going
rate or even paying me at all.
I would love to do something I love on a day to day basis but there is no way I am risking it. Many people have also told me its never a pleasure if
you have to di it to pay the bills.
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doobrychat
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| posted on 1/9/13 at 08:21 AM |
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Blimey.. Someone who wants into the motor trade.. You must be MAD..
I've been in the game since i left school and I did the training and got the paperwork and its ruddy hard to earn 30k a year!!
the public will drive you nuts and the eastern europeans that claim they can do a good job for next to naff all price wise will grind you down..
I have seen some shocking shoddy repairs over the last few years as the motor trade went pop in 2008 and now the trade deserves the bad reputation
that it has...
Stack beans at a supermarket.. It goes places!!
with insurance companies screwing the trade down there is no guarantee your next step will be secure..
save yourself.. do something else with your life..
Rant over..but good luck with whatever you decide..
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big_wasa
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| posted on 1/9/13 at 08:39 AM |
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Hell I don't even want to take my car to a garage for an MOT 
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doobrychat
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| posted on 1/9/13 at 08:51 AM |
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I understand... I know a few centre's that run by a completely different pass/ fail system..
i took my Indy to a centre before the iva so i could check emissions and brake balance and i was telling him what to check for as he didn't know
what happened at an IVA which i found a little shocking as they are all VOSA controlled...
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T66
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| posted on 1/9/13 at 09:25 AM |
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I served my time on trucks in the early 80s. Poorly paid, dirty and smelly most of the time. The crack in the garage was good, but there is no way I
would go back into a garage.
Your better off age 30 making the break now, and securing a long term pot of cash flow which will bring you the petrol head toys you want, rather than
going into the car industry because you like cars. You would soon hate them like the rest of us, who have been in the trade.
£30,000 in a garage will be hard to do if your getting your hands dirty, avoid !
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morcus
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| posted on 1/9/13 at 09:34 AM |
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You probably couldn't afford the pay cut but have you thought about an apprenticeship? From what you've said you'd probably have a
good shot at getting one. Some would even get you close to your £30k if you factor in expenses, but most will give you less than 20 and minimum wage
for an apprentice is about 2 pound an hour.
It's the wrong time of year, but if your still looking in Feb/march could be worth a look.
In a White Room, With Black Curtains, By the Station.
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clanger
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| posted on 1/9/13 at 10:15 AM |
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what about automotive manufacturing??? JLR are tripping over themselves to get decent people to go work for them, I get contacted almost weekly by
various recruitment agencies trying to get me to go work for one or t'other manufacturers.
if you're struggling with qualifications, then perhaps start on the assembly line in some plant then when you're in, the opportunities
for progression should materialise.
it can cyclic and be a bit ruthless at times when the hard times come, but that's the same with most manufacturing. I spent 25 years in the
automotive manufacturing sector, and am now out, but I wanted the change. The novelty of seeing a V8 motor made from scratch soon wears off, and in
the end its like shelling peas............I could still be working at one of the major manufacturers now if I wanted, but don't miss
it.............
[Edited on 1/9/13 by clanger]
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Volvorsport
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| posted on 1/9/13 at 10:23 AM |
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Don't do it.
contracting is the only way you could earn that unless you get loads of overtime.
that or move into the energy sector.
www.dbsmotorsport.co.uk
getting dirty under a bus
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sdh2903
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| posted on 1/9/13 at 10:44 AM |
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I'm a licensed aircraft engineer and am in a fortunate position of doing a job I love that's pays enough to buy the toys. I'm only
30 but can't really see me doing anything else until retirement (if I make it).
Due to the demise of the apprenticeship more and more airlines are looking to recruit from other industries for their mechanics particularly for heavy
hangar maintenance. They look for mechanical know how and hand skills rather than academical qualifications, they then send you off to college to
learn the basics of aeronautics and the rest is learnt on the job. In the past few years I've worked with ex gas fitters, oil rig workers, a
submariner and even dare I say it ex Kwik fit mechanic (actually one of the hardest workers I've ever worked with). With a bit of overtime an
unlicensed mechanic will break your 30k barrier plus there's lots of potential to progress.
Not the motor industry as such but they do have very large noisy high revving engines to play with
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T66
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| posted on 1/9/13 at 11:55 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by sdh2903
I'm a licensed aircraft engineer and am in a fortunate position of doing a job I love that's pays enough to buy the toys. I'm only
30 but can't really see me doing anything else until retirement (if I make it).
Due to the demise of the apprenticeship more and more airlines are looking to recruit from other industries for their mechanics particularly for heavy
hangar maintenance. They look for mechanical know how and hand skills rather than academical qualifications, they then send you off to college to
learn the basics of aeronautics and the rest is learnt on the job. In the past few years I've worked with ex gas fitters, oil rig workers, a
submariner and even dare I say it ex Kwik fit mechanic (actually one of the hardest workers I've ever worked with). With a bit of overtime an
unlicensed mechanic will break your 30k barrier plus there's lots of potential to progress.
Not the motor industry as such but they do have very large noisy high revving engines to play with
Is there particular companies that do this, or are they all at it ? I work with Eurocopter engineers and Ive not heard them mention this before.
Sounds interesting...
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coozer
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| posted on 1/9/13 at 12:16 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by clanger
what about automotive manufacturing??? JLR are tripping over themselves to get decent people to go work for them, I get contacted almost weekly by
various recruitment agencies trying to get me to go work for one or t'other manufacturers.
if you're struggling with qualifications, then perhaps start on the assembly line in some plant then when you're in, the opportunities
for progression should materialise.
it can cyclic and be a bit ruthless at times when the hard times come, but that's the same with most manufacturing. I spent 25 years in the
automotive manufacturing sector, and am now out, but I wanted the change. The novelty of seeing a V8 motor made from scratch soon wears off, and in
the end its like shelling peas............I could still be working at one of the major manufacturers now if I wanted, but don't miss
it.............
[Edited on 1/9/13 by clanger]
I started working on the line at TRW, within 5 years I was going to Ford, Jaguar, Toyota, Nissan, Aston Martin, Honda etc etc as a QA Engineer
Walking round the plants used to amaze me at the technical bits and assembly techniques. I particularly liked going the Ford plant in Genk (Mondeo)
Massive place, great people. Aston Martin is like no other car plant, attention is detail is massive.
Sadly these places are very demanding on suppliers and the experience while exciting at times wasn't good for me. I was once asked by the Jaguar
board of directors about a rattle on the X type.. when I mentioned the problem didnt exist on the Mondeo I thought they were going to riot!
Anyways, that was pretty old school stuff and by the time I had a desk inside Nissan (still supplier quality) I came to the conclusion it was time to
get out..
Problem was in 10 years I never saw the pay rise, as the years went on it actually decreased! Salary's are circa £25K for a supplier
engineer.
I'm driving trucks now and the rewards are pretty much the same as working in a factory but without any stress or hassle, KPI's TS19649
ISO9001 etc.
1972 V8 Jago
1980 Z750
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Scuzzle
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| posted on 1/9/13 at 01:08 PM |
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Personally I would not be in a great hurry to get into the motor trade, I became a storeman (parts technicians they call them now) when I left school
and worked for a couple of dealerships over 10 years going from trainee to parts manager.
It was only when I got out that I realized exactly how miserable the motor trade is, being my first job after leaving school I never knew any
better.
[Edited on 1/9/13 by Scuzzle]
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Volvorsport
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| posted on 1/9/13 at 04:00 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by sdh2903
I'm a licensed aircraft engineer and am in a fortunate position of doing a job I love that's pays enough to buy the toys. I'm only
30 but can't really see me doing anything else until retirement (if I make it).
Due to the demise of the apprenticeship more and more airlines are looking to recruit from other industries for their mechanics particularly for heavy
hangar maintenance. They look for mechanical know how and hand skills rather than academical qualifications, they then send you off to college to
learn the basics of aeronautics and the rest is learnt on the job. In the past few years I've worked with ex gas fitters, oil rig workers, a
submariner and even dare I say it ex Kwik fit mechanic (actually one of the hardest workers I've ever worked with). With a bit of overtime an
unlicensed mechanic will break your 30k barrier plus there's lots of potential to progress.
Not the motor industry as such but they do have very large noisy high revving engines to play with
let us in on the secret then ✈❕
www.dbsmotorsport.co.uk
getting dirty under a bus
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T66
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| posted on 1/9/13 at 06:10 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Volvorsport
quote:
Originally posted by sdh2903
I'm a licensed aircraft engineer and am in a fortunate position of doing a job I love that's pays enough to buy the toys. I'm only
30 but can't really see me doing anything else until retirement (if I make it).
Due to the demise of the apprenticeship more and more airlines are looking to recruit from other industries for their mechanics particularly for heavy
hangar maintenance. They look for mechanical know how and hand skills rather than academical qualifications, they then send you off to college to
learn the basics of aeronautics and the rest is learnt on the job. In the past few years I've worked with ex gas fitters, oil rig workers, a
submariner and even dare I say it ex Kwik fit mechanic (actually one of the hardest workers I've ever worked with). With a bit of overtime an
unlicensed mechanic will break your 30k barrier plus there's lots of potential to progress.
Not the motor industry as such but they do have very large noisy high revving engines to play with
let us in on the secret then ✈❕
Still waiting.......
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