job advice

[jimmy shoes]

Hi all,

This is probably a strange question seems that this forum is for welding issues but here it goes.

I've been studying car mechanics for about 3 and a bit years now and am coming to the end of my stretch in college, and to tell you the truth im abit lost as to what field i wanna go in, i did at one point want to go into heavy goods vehicle and plant as i still am interested in diesel systems (my favourite subject in college). i noticed that some people here have a background in mechanics and basically would like some advise on where to go.

thanks

 

[andypocock]

You'll probably end up with a knackered back anyway but HGV has to be worse than the lighter stuff. Plant is just HGV in the rain and snow, so you'll be knackered twice as quickly.

 

[Drains]

Boats or open cast/ quarries. Big engines. Proper stuff. Less run of the mill, if you ken my drift.

A job on tugs or workboats would be allright, or really go for the marine engineering. Just an idea.

 

[jimmy shoes]

yeah after watching deadliest catch on discovery channel a marine engineer did cross my mind, but i live in the valleys in south wales so trying to find a place of work would be hard lol

 

[simon718]

can't really give you much advice as to what to do, however the diesel end would be what i would pick. Did a bit of work part time after school in a diesel garage, loved it, but when it came to apprenteship time the £40 a week just didnt cut it, fair play to ya for sticking at it. Would love to get back into it, just about young enough to go back to tech, but same problem as before. As andy/si say, the bigger the better good luck mate

 

[Drains]

but when it came to apprenteship time the £40 a week just didnt cut it, fair play to ya for sticking at it.

Blimey. Nothing's changed then. When I started my apprenticeship in 1981, I got £45 a week....

They really are having a laugh. No wonder everyone wants to work for a bank now...

 

[simon718]

yeah si, one of the guys i work with (now near mid 30's) was on the YTP when he left school, and was getting 20 odd quid, looks like training wages haven't exactly kept up with inflation...

 

[Hitch]

I got £45 a week for mine aswell, 10 years ago

Some people took the better looking option after leaving school of paying jobs, albeit £5/hour. After the first few years your earnings start increasing upto a decent wage, however they have stayed at minimum wage or just above.

No help in your descision Jimmy, but good luck whichever route you choose.

The trouble is, once you are into something and get decent wage, its difficult to change directions, as it normally means a significant paycut, atleast for a few years.

 

[simon718]

very true hitch, iv now served my time as a signmaker, and starting to get into welding/fab... would love to make a living from it but as you say, it would mean a significant amount less every month, which i just could'nt do.... hindsight is 20/20 tho as they say

 

[madkayaker]

For the apprentice i have dealing with the boss and apprentice have to sign to say they will pay £80 a week min. How many archly do though is hard to say.

 

[wyn]

If you're interested in the plant/quarrying type stuff there are a few firms around.

There's - "Walters" and "KJ services" both up around the heads of the valleys and "Finnings" near llantrisant.

Most quarries around south wales don't have mobile plant fitters but get these sort of firms in.

 

[jimmy shoes]

If you're interested in the plant/quarrying type stuff there are a few firms around.

There's - "Walters" and "KJ services" both up around the heads of the valleys and "Finnings" near llantrisant.

Most quarries around south wales don't have mobile plant fitters but get these sort of firms in.

thank wyn i'll have a look at those. by any chance would you happen to have any contact details for them?

 

[snowcat]

I was £35 a week when I first started and did one day a week day release before becoming a full time STSTStudent........ Thing is these low wages are OK when your 16 living at home at really have little to spend your money on other than cheep cider....and really I doubt many fresh faced 16 year old kids are properly worth little more than that, I'm sure I wasnt.....

Trouble is once you have house, wife kids etc... Its not really possible to go back to living on sod all....

 

[wyn]

Just seen this for KJ services. I'll have a search around for details of the other firms.

Finnings
Walters
KJ services

 

[simon718]

thing is hitch, i was already on pretty much that for doing 10 hours a week after school, 40 hours for that money was taking the **** slightly...

 

[Damaged]

Feck me!

Are apprentice wages still so low?!

I was a first year apprentice in 1988 and at the time earned £45 / week. At the time I was considered wealthy as I served my time with the R.O.F. when most where on Y.T.S. schemes paying (I think £28.50)

Had recently been wondering why I can't get decent sparkys for £28K but if the apprenticeship rates are so low it's no supprise!

 

[Paul.]

My first year apprentice wages were £12 a week in 1973, petrol was about 30p a gallon, and the charge out rate for the company was about £7 per hour, Some of my mates got labouring jobs or worked in the shoe trade on piece work and made twice as much, but now they're mostly unemployed, or unemployable, So it was worth the sacrifice early on.

 

[Baz-Cem]

Which part of the valleys are from m8?

There is a huge open cast just started up in Merthyr with alot of very big equipment there. I see maintance work going on into the night up there.

Baz.

 

[Luke]

Our apprentices are on about 600 a month.

 

[jimmy shoes]

Which part of the valleys are from m8?

There is a huge open cast just started up in Merthyr with alot of very big equipment there. I see maintance work going on into the night up there.

Baz.

yep i live in merthyr