Automotive engineering apprenticeship wanted!

[footychick]

I'm located in the South West of England and I'm looking for an apprenticeship with cars but not just servicing, I want to learn everything and then more.

I've applied at Audi, but I think my chances of getting in are likely slim with my age against me (25) and also because I'm female although shouldn't technically go against me but, you know.

Can anyone recommend companies etc that would be good to apply to? There are a few apprenticeships about but some I can imagine just being a tea and coffee b.i.t.c.h without learning a lot.

I learn and do as much as I can on my own cars and really enjoy it. I've always been hands on but never accepted that this is what I want to do.

I'm currently an electrical engineering apprentice with a permanent job in a big company but I'm prepared to start again for something I really want to do if I can find and I'm successful with the right place.

Any recommendations or advise would be amazing so thank you in advance.


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[zollaf]

my oh did her apprenticeship with nissan just over 10 years ago,. she was 21 when she started, but got a job as a driver first, then just started helping everyone and eventually got in. she went on to come second in the apprentice of the year comp, and did her 3 year apprenticeship in 2 years, cos she was good. never give up, never take no for an answer.. simple as that.. if you are good at it you can get in. try places like jaguar landrover or rolls royce ??

[footychick]

Brilliant thank you, I've seen some adverts for Land Rover and jaguar but they wanted school leavers. Maybe need to send cover letters out to companies. I learn so quick with cars but I think it's because I really enjoy it. Just need the right company to learn with. Does your OH still work in the industry? That's great to hear though, really good for her!!

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[zollaf]

she finished the apprenticeship when we lived in milton keynes, then moved to wales and run a small garage between us.. they want school leavers because they are fresh and ready to learn.. what you need to do is come up with a good reason why you dont want to do the electrics any more.. not because you are bored,, more than that, a new challenge, dont like working in lofts,, anything,, then convince the boss you are perfect and ready to be worth their investment in you.

[footychick]

I'd ideally love to have my own garage one day.

That's really great you can both do that together, too

That's a good point actually. Apart from it being my passion I need more than that.. should I start building a portfolio of the work I've done? Not sure if that might help. Hopefully as I'm already in an apprenticeship they will see that I'm back into studying etc..

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[zollaf]

a portfolio would be a good start.. my oh worked in a garage prior to her appreticeship, a fast fit centre , with me, so she did know the ropes. when working with nissan, she needed to do a set of pads on her nova, so asked to borrow a ramp after work. no problem, everyone stood around ready to help, didnt realise it was a routine job for her, thats when the boss realised she would be worthy.. even had the old boy mechanic, nissan master tech, ex aircraft technician, everything done right, never does an apprentice because they slow him down, well he jumped at the chance of taking her on... its a difficult place, a woman in mans world, college was 500 boys and her.. but women do make good mechanics.. and plenty of places know this, but not many women want to do it...

[ragebe]

Have you considered the army? I used to know somebody who worked on tanks at Bovington and she wasn't the only female there Careers - British Army Website

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[footychick]

That is a good shout ragebe however I had already considered both that and the Raf but they won't accept me despite the role due to asthma which feels very harsh.

Zollaf that sounds like a brilliant way for you oh to make a name for herself and shut the guys up! I'm glad she had a boss who took notice and was able to do something about it too, it sounds like the perfect situation you're in now! I'm in that situation now being the only girl on the whole of the 'power' course and only woman I know in most of the exchanges. It's never really bothered me and I've always liked proving myself as just as or even more able than the blokes! I've applied at a couple more places this evening and will keep looking. A lot of them was young as previously stated but have emailed some local branches too just in case putting my name on their email box helps a little! Thanks guys

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[zollaf]

yes, we do have it pretty good out here, properly in the sticks.. mrs z specialises in gearboxes, she was the first person to rebuild a nissan 350z box when they first came out in 2004.
all i would say is when it mentions an age limit, ignore it. but, do you want to finish the course you are on and if not, why dont you actually like it ? (just curious).

[M1tchy]

The army probably wouldn't suit you anyway. Military mechanics are very limited on what they are allowed to do. I'm not even allowed to change the wheel on a Land Rover if I'm driving it on camp anymore!! (I'm not a mechanic, but as a user that's where we are at these days)

The company that do most servicing and works on the military fleet is called Babcock DSG (defence support group). Might be worth having a look


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