emmett
Member
Registered: 2nd Mar 06
Location: Wiltshire
User status: Offline
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Hey guys!!Wondering if you could help me!
Im 17,leaving Sixth form in a few months and I want to go into an apprenticeship instead of uni. I have a rough idea of what I want to do.
Either panal beating, body spraying, or general mechanics.But would prefer to work in a tuning company!
I'm in the Wiltshire area, Chippenham to be more precise. I don't know of any place around who are taking on, or have facilities for apprentices especially tuning companies!!
If any of you guys have any ideas of where to go or do either panal beating, body spraying,mechanics,or even work for a tuning company what is it like?Job satisfaction?Pay?Hours?
Cheers!!This will be really useful if you could help!!
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All Torque
Member
Registered: 17th Nov 05
Location: Milton Keynes Drives: Ford Focus TDCi
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Give learn direct a ring, seriously. 0800 100 900 You just have to ask for advice and they can forward you details and send you info packs.
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Dean B
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Registered: 23rd Aug 06
Location: Lincolnshire
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I did it. Went to college for two years, did a BTEC National Diploma in Engineering. Was going to go to Leeds to study Civil Engineering, got offered an electrical apprenticeship. Never looked back, money is great and i love the job.
Can't really comment in your career choice, but i am all for apprenticeships.
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All Torque
Member
Registered: 17th Nov 05
Location: Milton Keynes Drives: Ford Focus TDCi
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I'm all for them too, I'm a paint and decorator. Just found an employer too, took a while.
A mate of mine is a panel beater, works 3 days a week at £8 an hour at apprentice level  
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Doug_SRi
Member
Registered: 1st Sep 02
Location: Aberdeen. Drives: Stage 2 Astra VXR and Nova
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just completed my apprenticeship, 18 months at college and 2yrs work experience offshore so now a qualified production technician in the oil and gas industry
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All Torque
Member
Registered: 17th Nov 05
Location: Milton Keynes Drives: Ford Focus TDCi
User status: Offline
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One thing to watch out for mate is dodgy companies. Ask about their previous work and get pictures, check their rep.
Don't get dragged down by cowboys 
[Edited on 28-02-2007 by All Torque]
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wilson_sri
Member
Registered: 31st Aug 04
Location: Dunfermline Drives: Technics 1210s
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I was a apprentice panel beater/spray painter for a few months, tbh i thought it was pants! But i was money hungry at the time and the pay wasnt that good being a apprentice so left to be a valeter, kicking myself now as i want to respray my car! 
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Graeme
Premium Member
Registered: 26th Jul 04
Location: Northampton
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when i first started my painting apprenticeship i was on £100 a week for a 40 hour week but money gets better after a while, best off going to sa small bodyshop and getting more experience than the money and you will get through your course quickly!
Contact your local colleges and they will help you get a placement!
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emmett
Member
Registered: 2nd Mar 06
Location: Wiltshire
User status: Offline
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Okay cheers!!
Dont spose any one is in Wiltshire?
And know of any tuning shops/garages?
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dan_almond
Member
Registered: 27th Sep 05
Location: Salisbury, Wiltshire
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where about in wiltshire u from mate?
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STEvieXE
Member
Registered: 21st Jan 03
Location: Ballymena N.I.
User status: Offline
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try the search feature, theres been loads of threads like this. basically id advise against it honestly but thats my 2p.
im a panel beater..
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AndyCorsaSport
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Registered: 12th Feb 06
Location: Horsforth, West Yorkshire
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by STEvieXE
try the search feature, theres been loads of threads like this. basically id advise against it honestly but thats my 2p.
im a panel beater..
Ahem, im an apprentice panel beater, good for doing my own car etc, its a good job, but not really the best paid job in the world. My bro-in-law has his own buisness as an electrician, and would take me on any day, but ill see what the future holds.
Ive just nearly finished my first year, got 2 more years to go.
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STEvieXE
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Registered: 21st Jan 03
Location: Ballymena N.I.
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an 3rd year apprentice electricain would be making as much as i am. fully qualified and get top line money. im at my moneys limit unless in the future i get made a foreman or estimator etc.
im looing for a way out.
fed up busting my balls working to very tight times etc. dont wanna be under that type of pressure when im 40...
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jamesvalver
Member
Registered: 21st Feb 03
Location: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
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im an apprentice mechanic at a main mazda dealer atm. i only have about 10weeks left until i recieve my technical certificate. getting straight into a tuning company will be very hard as they normally want ppl with experiance. i looked into it but i was turned down. your best bet is to get an apprenticeship at a main dealer then once qualified try again in the tuning part of the trade
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emmett
Member
Registered: 2nd Mar 06
Location: Wiltshire
User status: Offline
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Dan Almond - - - Im from Chippenham
Stevie XE - - - What would you advise against?Going into panal beating????
Jamesvalver - - - Ah rite okay!!Cheers, Will most main dealers be taking on apprentices??
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STEvieXE
Member
Registered: 21st Jan 03
Location: Ballymena N.I.
User status: Offline
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going into the motortrade full stop, not worth the shite money and aggro envolved..
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Mattb
Member
Registered: 2nd Feb 03
Location: Under your sisters bed
User status: Offline
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As james said, if you want to do an apprenticeship, go for a main franchised dealer ( i did mine through volkswagen)
I was lucky with mine, i got a level 3 NVQ and level 3 BTEC out of it.
Money was shite, but i stuck at it.. finished a year ago, and have already had a training plan put through for engine (both petrol and diesel) and transmission specialist.. should be on £30k plus overtime and bonus this time next year
As for no money on the motor trade... depends on what you do.. one of our licenced techs just left to work at another vdub dealership for £40k
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STEvieXE
Member
Registered: 21st Jan 03
Location: Ballymena N.I.
User status: Offline
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to be fair i wouldnt go filling this fellas head with rubbish like that. anyone really i know in the motortrade is on around the 20k a year mark.
maybe some get better but its not very common...
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Mattb
Member
Registered: 2nd Feb 03
Location: Under your sisters bed
User status: Offline
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All depends on where you are also tho... north south divide and all...
Current starting wage for a service tech in all the vdub garages in the area is £24K
and imo for the amount of training and specialist knowlage required for the job its not that great..
And i should point out to get to the kind of level our licenced techs are at, takes about 10 years and constant attendence on training courses....
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ed
Member
Registered: 10th Sep 03
User status: Offline
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Then they go turn you into engine and gearbox specialist 
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Mattb
Member
Registered: 2nd Feb 03
Location: Under your sisters bed
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by ed
Then they go turn you into engine and gearbox specialist
im not looking forward to my auto box courses...
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Dean B
Member
Registered: 23rd Aug 06
Location: Lincolnshire
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by STEvieXE
an 3rd year apprentice electricain would be making as much as i am. fully qualified and get top line money. im at my moneys limit unless in the future i get made a foreman or estimator etc.
im looing for a way out.
fed up busting my balls working to very tight times etc. dont wanna be under that type of pressure when im 40...
I'm in my 3rd year as an electrician. Bring home about £380 a week before tax. Before christmas i worked loads of overtime and came out with £3k in one month, before tax. The money in the electrical industry is crazy. The amount of money contractors are paid for 'small' jobs is unreal.
[Edited on 02-03-2007 by Dean B]
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STEvieXE
Member
Registered: 21st Jan 03
Location: Ballymena N.I.
User status: Offline
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ur very close to wot i bring home a week before tax.. that sickens me ( nothing personal) thats why i hate the car trade
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Dean B
Member
Registered: 23rd Aug 06
Location: Lincolnshire
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by STEvieXE
ur very close to wot i bring home a week before tax.. that sickens me ( nothing personal) thats why i hate the car trade
I agree tbh. Motortrade is VERY underpaid, for what is a very highly skilled job.
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STEvieXE
Member
Registered: 21st Jan 03
Location: Ballymena N.I.
User status: Offline
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each year i know more and more tradesmen dropping out of the panel beating game. i just wonder if theres enough young metal workers maing it threw to compensate. i know when i served my time my class started with over 20 and finished with maybe 6 - 10 actually qualifying...
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