amo
New Member
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Post by amo on Dec 22, 2014 11:29:07 GMT 1
Hi All,
I have been working in IT for 16 years and I am getting to a point now where I really need to change and do something I am keen and passionate about. I have got another 30 years plus left in my working career, and I need to do something that I will be proud of. After much thinking, I know I want to be involved in the Automotive world, I have been passionate about cars from as long as I can remember. In fact, my love of cars has helped me through some tough places in my life. I know I will have to re-train and am looking to go back to college. The courses I am looking at cover various different areas including service, mechanical repairs, body work etc. I'll then have to possibly specialise in one of them areas.
Ideally I love do a apprenticeship, but I am in my early 30's and lot of places usually want to go for the 16-18 age range.
This of course is a huge step for me and if anyone could give me any advice/help? It will be much appreciated
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rpm
Apprentice
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Post by rpm on Dec 22, 2014 12:44:04 GMT 1
Hi and welcome
I understand the need to use your hands and brains on a car, it can be satisfying.
But, to change from IT to automotive is a blo*dy silly move! Way more future in IT
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Post by Roverman on Dec 22, 2014 13:16:40 GMT 1
I agree stick with IT but if you really want a change go into diagnostics ( should be a doddle for you ) that's the future now in the auto world diagnostics and electronics forget the spanners  |
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Post by Rhubarb on Dec 22, 2014 13:38:38 GMT 1
Stick with what you know is my advice..
This trade is fucked...Modern cars are very complex, customers don't understand how much effort and kit is required to do the job..
They also don't like spending money on them..
In the next 5 or so years we'll be like America, a nation of fitters, tyre/exhaust/brake shops.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 22, 2014 14:56:06 GMT 1
My advice.......buy an mot failure and do the required work, that should convince you to stay in IT. Like people who tell me they have 'fallen in love' with some such particular car that carries £500 monthly HP payments.......go and hire one for a weekend I tell em.......they'll be fed up of it half an hour after driving away......
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Post by rhyds on Dec 22, 2014 15:05:52 GMT 1
Not quite the same, but a friend of mine was laid off as a machinist at an aerospace factory. He then decided that as he'd been working on his own motors for years he'd open a garage. It was blo*dy hard work, and unlike working on your own cars you can't just leave it for a bit but he's made a good go of it.
Depending on which side of IT you're in, auto electrics/diagnostics would be a great "bridge" from your current skillset to a new one. Another niche you could investigate would be offering tech support etc. to garages with their PCs and diagnostic tools. The number of times I've had mechanic mates call me up to fix some IT issue on their workshop PCs is staggering.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 22, 2014 17:13:31 GMT 1
Thats a much better idea. Small business, web and office solutions, problem-solving, updating, support. Time and energy would be much better spent aggressively promoting services your all ready trained to give.
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Post by rhyds on Dec 22, 2014 17:17:54 GMT 1
There's a right big gap for services to firms like electricians, garages and plumbers. Tradesmen who don't yet realise the importance of proper tech support
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gasmonkey
Tea Maker
At an Oscilloscope near you.
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Post by gasmonkey on Dec 22, 2014 22:25:34 GMT 1
Like Rhubarb said, the trade is fucked. the constant investment in training and tooling vs money earned is spiralling out of control.
You'd earn a lot more for minimal training and outlay on tools working as a joiner.
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Post by Joepublic on Dec 22, 2014 22:41:22 GMT 1
You should consider an Automation Technician / Engineer training courses
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Post by Rhubarb on Dec 22, 2014 23:57:12 GMT 1
Someone I know who's very clued up and been in the trade for 40 years...Final straw came when he was asked to provide a quote, which he did...
He did the job, the vehicle owner was a long standing customer...The quote he gave had a leeway of £50...The final bill came out £37 over the min of the leeway...Customer went mad...He told them to take the car and f*ck off, and didn't take any money at that time...
He's now shut up shop, taken early retirement and is now moving to France...
He's had a gutfull of people trying to take the p*ss about prices.
The bill was settled later by the car owners better half.
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Post by Dragon on Dec 23, 2014 0:12:38 GMT 1
Someone I know who's very clued up and been in the trade for 40 years...Final straw came when he was asked to provide a quote, which he did... He did the job, the vehicle owner was a long standing customer...The quote he gave had a leeway of £50...The final bill came out £37 over the min of the leeway...Customer went mad...He told them to take the car and f*ck off, and didn't take any money at that time... He's now shut up shop, taken early retirement and is now moving to France... He's had a gutfull of people trying to take the p*ss about prices. The bill was settled later by the car owners better half. Sounds like every day, you all ways get my mate this and my mate that, I've started telling them to get there mate to do it then!! closely followed by there's the tools if it's a piece of p*ss you do it then!! If you seriously want to change careers, you should decide if you want to work for a main dealer or independent, both have pro's and con's, be prepared to spent a fair amount of hard earned cash on constant replacement and upgrading of tools and equipment, monthly appointments at your friendly osteopath, oh and almost forgot when the customers think that your lower than a snakes ar*e it's not personal  But apart from that it's a laugh a minute!!! |
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Post by Noberator on Dec 23, 2014 0:24:15 GMT 1
Someone I know who's very clued up and been in the trade for 40 years...Final straw came when he was asked to provide a quote, which he did... He did the job, the vehicle owner was a long standing customer...The quote he gave had a leeway of £50...The final bill came out £37 over the min of the leeway...Customer went mad...He told them to take the car and f*ck off, and didn't take any money at that time... He's now shut up shop, taken early retirement and is now moving to France... He's had a gutfull of people trying to take the p*ss about prices. The bill was settled later by the car owners better half. Don't wish to cause an argument here but a Quote is an agreed price  Unless extra work was undertaken which couldn't have been forseen when undertaking the job to complete it satisfactorily. An Estimate or guess as to how much the work will cost. The Trader can charge you more than the estimate.  Having said that any extra charged must be reasonable.  What is reasonable is open to negotiation IMO. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2014 18:27:01 GMT 1
You will need to convince someone to give you an apprenticeship , good luck with that ,
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Unless extra work was undertaken which couldn't have been forseen when undertaking the job to complete it satisfactorily. 
Having said that any extra charged must be reasonable. 
What is reasonable is open to negotiation IMO.