Apprentice

[98ninja]

Ive totally had it with my current job.
its been driving me insane for months and healthwise its starting to take its toll.
the other half told me why dont i try for an apprenticeship to be a motorbike mechanic since ive had her
gpx250 apart and back together quite a few times and all i talk to her about is motorbikes.
she said she would support me financially too

i dont know where to start though
any help?

[Colette]

I might be stating the obvious here, but why don't you go around to bike shops and ask them?

Oh and hang on to your gf, she sounds like a real gem

[Gazza]

[quote="Colette"]I might be stating the obvious here, but why don't you go around to bike shops and ask them?

thats right , if you dont ask you dont get im my experience.

and i think you should go for it 100% if thats what you want regardles of the outcome.
take it from me there is nothing worse than having to get up every day to go to a job you farking hate.

good luck.

[QuickaKwacka]

Try the Hunter & Northern Central Coast State Training Centre (Department of Education and Training NSW) on ph 132811, see page 185 of the white pages, they have apprenticeship training and advisory services somewhere near Cardiff i think.

Regards
RonnieG

[red_dave]

You could also speed up the process by turning up with the following.

1. tin of chequered paint
2. left handed screwdriver
3. a long wait
3. verbal agreement forms




Seriously, try our sponsors, Flywheels, aitkens etc

Also put some feelers out to some Apprentice recruitment mobs?

[98ninja]

thanks for the encouragement.
im not sure whether i have to enrol in tafe first or find a place to take me.
the tafe website took me round in circles.
iv become acquainted with Kawasaki Newcastle and chris's son Nathan. ill give him a call.
ive had enough of 55-60 hours a week running round and booking shit for ships.
the other guy at work has just given his one week notice.
im close after i had 3 days of leave denied and got a talk about taking sick days.
i applied to get a transfer to fremantle office and had it denied.
and getting home from work everyday reeking of cigarette smoke because the manager practically smokes inside.
i could rant a lot more.

[fireyrob]

Id say that if you walked in and spoke to the service people they would either be looking for someone or be able to suggest who would be seeking or able to take someone on board!

Best bet with Tafe is to find out on their website which campuses have the apprentice course then ring that campus direct! Ask for the course co-ordinator and take it from there! If your pro-active and keen you'd find somewhere v easily...

[mike-s]

Has your current boss always been such a twit? perhaps he is being given a hard time by further up the chain, then again, your boss is meant to act as interference between you and anyone that has a grievance against you/your team.

b.t.w. taking too much sick-days? as far as im concerned, got a doctors certificate? well they can jam it up their butt if they don't like it. This is assuming that your not abusing the number of sick days your taking, then again it sounds like your boss isn't doing his share in reducing the stress levels on you & your team mates.

Good luck!

[98ninja]

hes 59 and trying to hold off to retirement.
its funny because theyres no knowledge base left in the office because everyone keeps leaving.

[penno]

Talk to Andy at Graeme Morris' in Cameron St - at the end of the laneway next to Newcastle Kawasaki. He knows everyone locally in the business and should know if anyones looking for an apprentice.

[IsleofNinja]

TAFE used to offer a pre trade apprenticeship course. The actual TAFE enrolment / trade course will be carried out by your employer as far as I'm aware .[things may have changed a bit in the last 25 or so years though!!]

My first question is ; why a motorcycle mechanic? - (apart from the obvious)

-----Before you lash back mate the reason I ask is I started as an apprentice mechanic, now I do the hiring and firing...

I may be able to help you out in the industry.

Mechanical aptitude is a great start but you may find your career opportunities may be a little restricted as a motorcycle mechanic . A heavy duty mechanical trade on the other hand gives you a broad range of experience allowing you to be able to work on everything from whipper snippers to 200ton 785 Caterpillar dump trucks and 1600hp V16 engines etc.
This is where you get the SERIOUS coin dude.. I've never heard of a motorcycle mechanic making anywhere close to 6 figures a year unless he/she is on a GP team.

In my area it's UNUSUAL not to (2nd year app's on $31.00 per hour!! - common!!)

Food for thought..

[98ninja]

that sounds interesting
what kind of company takes on mechanical engineers?

[fadz90]

apprenticeships are a good investment for a good career, but you have to be patient and also there is some good help from the government regarding to apprenticeships,
also try and go for a good company with good reputation as this might help with the skill level you might/will have.

[photomike666]

I think it's great what you thinking of, it's really tough taking a big step back. Certainly makes things interesting.

But, here my devils advocate curve ball...

Are you sure you want to combine your passion/hobby with work. After 8+ hours a day working around bikes, are you going to want to be involved with bikes on your day off?

[98ninja]

ive been a road cyclist for close on 14 years now.
thats my afterwork passion. ive always fit motorbikes around work and cycling.
its a bit shit though lately as i find 2 hours a day to train not nearly enough to get to the level i want to be/was once at.
its a snowball effect. i hate my work and im not going as good at cycling as i want too. so im a real grumpy prick who drinks a lot.
ive decided i have to end this grumpy prick alco stage. this is an attempt at it.