advice on an aprrenticship

[FPV 5TH]

[QUOTE=Me_3]Your kidding right? If thats the case, somebody better tell the industry that! Aviation is a good industry, if you enjoy working with your hands and work on different areas rather than just turning the spanners... pity all the regulation is killing it..

No im not kidding! My nephew just turned 22 has just got his first job after apprenticeship and is earning 58K. He also got his pilot licence that was paid for by the people who gave him the apprenticeship. The opportunity he has to advance and perhaps become a commercial pilot as well as being an aircraft engineer is great and he is set for life. :

[territory mate]

construction or mining would pay the most while learning.my apprenctices get heaps of free money from all the schemes in place,both state and federal. 1000 for tools to start,then 500 seems like every 6 months lately.up here in queensland ,a good tradie in just about anything can up his price.my contractors at present make around 70/hr,for just turning up and working,and they dont appreciate it at all.
electricians,with any type of data skill,are getting 150 000 and up ,plus the car and phone,and they cant get guys.
houses will always have to be built,and mines will be going hard for another 10-15 years easy.india needs it too much,let alone china and all the others.
with wa and qld draining a lot of the skills,nsw and vic are starting to pay a lot (so im told),so getting a trade first ,with all the extensions on it you can get,would be the best for the long term and even the short.
if you have the head for it,be an electrician.hardly ever dirty,and seem to get respected more as a trade.more than me anyway,being a plasterer.

[Unco]

Originally Posted by nugget378

Dont listen XR-351,pluming sucks the big one,I should know been doing it 22 years,me backs gone,hearings stuffed and im getting arthritis in my hands,not only that we all smoke and drink way too much,and have huge beer guts.

the physical grief can happen to most tradies in a lot of different fields, the smoking and drinking is nobody else's fault but yours.

Originally Posted by XR-351

prefer something with car restoration other wise plumbing or landscaping, what do people rekon????

if i had done a bit more research, i would have done plumbing or electrical (domestic, not auto) with a preference to plumbing instead of vehicle mechanics. when you own your own house and start investing in real estate you'll realize why.

[1TUFFUTE]

Originally Posted by XR-351

prefer something with car restoration other wise plumbing or landscaping, what do people rekon????

plumbing an sparkies make good money because they are liscencd trades. Chippies do alright to if you look around abit...hehehe

[XRchic]

I would suggest avoiding anything to do with light vehicle apprenticeships based on Eamon's (my partner) experience with his 4 year apprenticeship and the kind of work available later... no opportunities.

If you must do something to do with cars, think about a heavy vehicle/diesel apprenticeship as these are in demand up in the mines all over the country, and they are paying the big bucks.

If you want to venture outside of cars/trucks, then others have suggested, seriously consider anything to do with construction and mining. Consider also engineering down track as engineers in these fields are in VERY short supply and are paying very well in may areas of the country. Engineering is the new IT! If I could go back in time, I would do a mining engineering degree or something like that.

Good luck though mate, hope you find something you like!

[nugget378]

Originally Posted by Unco

the physical grief can happen to most tradies in a lot of different fields, the smoking and drinking is nobody else's fault but yours.



if i had done a bit more research, i would have done plumbing or electrical (domestic, not auto) with a preference to plumbing instead of vehicle mechanics. when you own your own house and start investing in real estate you'll realize why.

Oh lighten up will ya.
Its easy to say whats good and whats not when you look at it through rose coloured glasses,Best you get some actual experience in it before you offer advice,have a look at what the award wage is for them trades,
Im not on an award,Im a subbie,but most of the other blokes are on awards,real great money
All that for being poisoned slowly day by day..
We were on a good thing with eba's, basically the only real rises we'd had in twenty years,but thats going out the window now due to the economic tampering fairy(but thats a whole other story)

[Unco]

oh yes, of course, the automotive trade is totally free of hazardous substances isn't it? *rolls eyes*. i just pointed out that your reasons to not choose plumbing as an apprenticeship are quite misleading. drinking and smoking has got sfa to do with it.

on top of that, nobody is forcing you to stay in the trade. a lot of people get into apprenticeships to learn skills and become accredited. just because you get your trade in something does not mean that that's what you're going to do for the rest of your life, but at least you have learned a skill that others lack, and in the case of plumbing/electrical, a very handy skill when it comes to the business of real estate if XR-351 ever decides to go down that road later in life.

[Turbot]

Bottom line dude look for a trade you think you will enjoy doing AND be able to run self employed, you'll only make an average wage working for others. Pick something you enjoy, do your trade don't get in any debt save as much as you can stay at home etc, once you have completed your trade and got enough experience and saved some cash, go out and buy your own van, tools, insurance etc, concentrate on customer relations and quality work,rake it in and enjoy.

[nugget378]

Originally Posted by Unco

oh yes, of course, the automotive trade is totally free of hazardous substances isn't it? *rolls eyes*. i just pointed out that your reasons to not choose plumbing as an apprenticeship are quite misleading. drinking and smoking has got sfa to do with it.

And when did I offer any advice on an auto trade?
The guy has stated he WANTS to do a car restoration type thing,spose thats what he loves doing.
Yet you are putting these other trades up on some type of pedestal,trades you dont know much about.
I know drinking and smoking has sfa to do with it ffs,if you had a sense of humour you might have seen the funny side,
that aside there a heap of reasons to NOT do it and lots of reasons for,its all up to the individual though no??,yes some make good money,but MOST make crap,
lets see we have a guy who really wants to restore old cars,but instead of giving advice on a trade you may know something about,you give advice on plumbing/electical because you can invest in property? :
May come as a suprise to you but I dont know many plumbers who are millionaire landlords,and I know alot of plumbers..

[nugget378]

Originally Posted by Turbot

Bottom line dude look for a trade you think you will enjoy doing AND be able to run self employed, you'll only make an average wage working for others. Pick something you enjoy, do your trade don't get in any debt save as much as you can stay at home etc, once you have completed your trade and got enough experience and saved some cash, go out and buy your own van, tools, insurance etc, concentrate on customer relations and quality work,rake it in and enjoy.

You'll rake it in untill you get stiffed for a huge bill by a shifty operator,then it will bring it all back to earth.
Sorry if Im being be negative,but Ive seen alot in the building trade and Im laying it out warts and all.....
I agree that you should do something you like...

[Gilesie]

Just follow what you really want to do
otherwise you will more than likely regret your desision

Also remember with any trade you can move to specialised areas as
you go along.

I personally have moved to about 4 different areas of my trade (Stops the bordem setting in aswell as gives you a wealth of knowledge).

dont take to much note on the money side that others seem to have a fictation about. The happiest people I have known have been factory workers bringing home a pittance of a wage.

[Turbot]

Originally Posted by nugget378

You'll rake it in untill you get stiffed for a huge bill by a shifty operator,then it will bring it all back to earth.
Sorry if Im being be negative,but Ive seen alot in the building trade and Im laying it out warts and all.....
I agree that you should do something you like...

Well yes Nugget there are negatives working for your self in any trade i.e you usually have to give customers 30 accounts etc and chase em for 60 day etc, lots of book work cash flow etc. However you will earn more than working for an employer and in most trades no you wont become a millonaire but working for your self you should be able to live comfotably and invest the extra income you would other not get working for others.
Myself I own a franchise which chases all the bills for me, they pay me for all work done at the end of each week and the head office follows up the accounts, of course the fees are a little higher but I have my weekends free no headaches etc.
Theres successful people in all trades but you have to enjoy what your doing so if the guy doesn't like the thought of plumbing other peoples poop then plumbing oviously aint gonna be for him.
If there was one answer i.e the best paying trade then we'd all be doing it, how ever, the guy must like the work, and I suggest he focus on self employment even look at franchise opportinuties in the field he's interested in.
Sorry I cant give a YOU SHOULD DO THIS answer, everyone different, but yes look at building, spray painting, mechanics, engineering, maybe try to specalise in a field like earth moving equipment.
I have successful cousins in both heavy earth moving equipment with half dozen employees and another with several employees in the electrical trade but it has taken years but they are now very happy and independant.
I'll PM about my trade.

[Unco]

Originally Posted by nugget378

And when did I offer any advice on an auto trade?

you didn't. it was sarcasm. i'm sorry you missed it. i'm simply replying to your comment of looking at things through 'rose coloured glasses'. mate, i don't know what your problem is. i like working on cars. i finished my apprenticeship and stayed in the trade for a couple of years, then moved on to something else. a lot of people do the same. yeah, i don't know much about plumbing or electrical, but i am 110% sure that it's no rocket science either. if you hate plumbing so much why on earth did you stay in it for 22 years?

yes, he's showing an interest in an automotive trade, i'm sure i could write quite a bit about all the hazards involved in the trade because i've been there and done it, but i've always been happy doing whatever full time job i got involved in and i am aware that every job has goods and bads, i know a few plumbers too and i don't hear them carrying on and whingeing about the trade.

[nugget378]

Originally Posted by Unco

but i am 110% sure that it's no rocket science either. if you hate plumbing so much why on earth did you stay in it for 22 years?

Where have I said I hate it?
Its not asomething I love,but I dont think Id love any job really that gets me out of bed at 5 am in the middle of winter.
Now I make a really good living,it allows me freedom to pursue my hobby's,of which I have a few expensive ones.
Im still doing it after 22 years because I dont know anything else well enough to make as much money as I do plumbing,but most of my plumbing mates dont make half what I do,that is what Im preaching about,not my personal circumstance so much,but the average.
If I had my time again I would go into what my brother is doing,working for one of the largest computer tech companies in the world,doing sweet f/a and earning as much as me with out slaving like a dog..
Be aware that plumbing while not rocket science is very diverse,and to make the big dollars you will have to know most of these areas well or specialise and be real good at that.
The apprenticeship is 6 years,add on rpz's and tmv's etc (which they could do as part of the syllabus these days?) and it can be even more.

[Falcon Coupe]

Originally Posted by SiKoRa_eL_97

ROOF PLUMBER :P

i heard its good money replacing pipes gutters and COLORBOND steel as well i thinK?

It needs to be good money, you don't get paid for sitting home on rainy days and in summer you fry on the roof like an egg.

[Unco]

Originally Posted by nugget378

The apprenticeship is 6 years,add on rpz's and tmv's etc (which they could do as part of the syllabus these days?) and it can be even more.

i thought it was only 4. or are you including additional licenses? and what's rpz's and tmv's (excuse my ignorance). also, last i heard here in qld it is possible to finish an apprenticeship earlier than 4 years depending on your age, i don't know a lot of detail about it though. believe it or not, plumbing is something that i'm personally considering doing an apprenticeship in, but i may not have time to do it depending how things go over the next few years.

[Falcon Coupe]

There is a lot of misinformation and speculation in this thread, i would listen to the trades people vs the guess people.

[nugget378]

Originally Posted by Unco

i thought it was only 4. or are you including additional licenses? and what's rpz's and tmv's (excuse my ignorance). also, last i heard here in qld it is possible to finish an apprenticeship earlier than 4 years depending on your age, i don't know a lot of detail about it though. believe it or not, plumbing is something that i'm personally considering doing an apprenticeship in, but i may not have time to do it depending how things go over the next few years.

TMV=thermostatic mixing valve,want to work in hospitals,old peoples homes,schools and high end buildings? you will need it.
RPZ=reduced pressure zone device-want to work in hospitals,factories,commercial stuff?-you will need it.
I fitted about 20 from memory at WSID myself.
Both are a seperate license over and above a trade cert,try working on wages without them and getting any good money.
Yes 6 years is for a full contractors license,but you wont make the big bucks without it.
I make qiute a bit more per hour than the guys I look after,but I have to run a truck,have a heap of tools (that they break on me,as they cant bloody afford them)pay me own super (or go without) pay me own compo etc etc.
As well as collect taxes for little Johhny (which I have an issue with)
I can go on and on,it isnt that easy and best to keep all that in mind,honestly,if your good at brown nosing much better off getting in with a big mob and suckholing ya way up...

[Unco]

thanks nugget378

Originally Posted by Falcon Coupe

There is a lot of misinformation and speculation in this thread, i would listen to the trades people vs the guess people.

was that directed at me? i am a tradesman motor mechanic, just in case, amongst other qualifications outside the scope of this thread. i'm just asking nugget378 to elaborate on a few things that i'm interested in and XR-351 may be too. if XR-351 has specific questions about the automotive trade, i'm sure i'll try to answer where possible.

[Falcon Coupe]

Originally Posted by Unco

thanks nugget378



was that directed at me? i am a tradesman motor mechanic, just in case, amongst other qualifications outside the scope of this thread. i'm just asking nugget378 to elaborate on a few things that i'm interested in and XR-351 may be too. if XR-351 has specific questions about the automotive trade, i'm sure i'll try to answer where possible.

I'm not going to single anyone out, i'm just telling the thread starter to read between the lines and listen to those involved in the actual trades.
I'm a carpenter by trade (not a builder as some call them)
If the thread starter was interested in carpentry i would give my thoughts.

[GK351]

When i started my apprenticshit we had 20 or so students (1 class)
about half the blokes from that class finished the whole 6 years
When my old boss was doing his in the early 80's they had 5-6 classes per day of 20
students. I dont know how he passed it but he did.

My point?
Most young kids these days hear that a plumbing apprentiship is "6 years" and run away and head for the mountains.

I dont blame them

[XR-351]

its not 6 years its 4

[nugget378]

Originally Posted by XR-351

its not 6 years its 4

Do it first then get back to me...

[GK351]

Originally Posted by XR-351

its not 6 years its 4

Geez i must be the only one that slugged it for 6 years then?

If you want a 'Contractors licence' Its 6 years

3 years tafe 1 day a week + Work
+
2 years 2 nights a week tafe (your own time not your bosses)
+
1 full year of plumbing expirience 5 days week = plumbing contractors licence

Hence a 6 year apprenticship.

add another 1-2 years on top if your a smartalek to the tafe teachers

[nugget378]

Not to mention going for the extra stuff,
what I mentioned before plus,limited electrical-for working on hot water systems
lpg-I have that too,alot of lpg places still out there
confined spaces-comes in usefull
I also have a few others-elevated work platform and oh&s consultation,while not strictly plumbing,most are almost mandatory depending where you work...

[ea_boss_05]

My advise is follow your dream and keep contact with Grandtourer, show him your keen even if it takes another 12 months, you can always do something else in the mean time. As an employer I have never had anyone walk in my door and say they want to be a Sheetmetal worker. My factory is next door to Grandtourer so if I hear Neil is going to hire someone I will PM you.

[XR-351]

thanks mate that would be great^

Originally Posted by nugget378

Do it first then get back to me...

what???

[Allo]

I rolled up my swag and moved to the Mines. Applied for an apprenticeship as an electrician, but they ended up starting me out as an apprentice Mechanical Fitter. Glad they did.
I am now almost a third year. I can now assemble (or give it a go) anything mechanical. Although I don't work on cars at work, it is the same principal. I am currently fixing up my XG ute. Two years ago, I never thought I would have been able to do half the stuff I'm doing now. I work on almost every mechanical component of my car. I'm sure that when I'm finally a tradie, I'll be doing it all.
Fitting gives you an insight to all mechanical applications. It is the base trade and branches out into so many opportunities. Hydraulics, pneumatics, turning, Engineering, just to name a few.
If you don't like getting dirty, become an electrician. If you just want to fix cars, become a Diesel Mechanic. If you decide to be a fitter, you'll not only be able to fix a car, you'll be able to work on anything from 747's to sewing machines. It's up to you where fitting takes you. I'm hoping to end up working on helicopters.
I wish you all the best in the career path you decide on.

BTW. What ever apprenticeship you decide, do it in the mines. I'm a second year APPRENTICE on almost double the money I was getting on the east coast. :

[nugget378]

Originally Posted by XR-351

what???

You said its not 6 years its 4,considering ive done it and so has GK5766 and were both telling you its 6.
So if you do give it a go,let me know if you can do it in 4.
you can become a jouryman in 4 years,without doing even a day in tafe,but you arent considered a plumber to us,you can never work for yourself,only take what others give you,always under their supervision.

[Van D]

If you're young, apart from doing something you enjoy, I'd suggest doing something that will still be earning you good money in 20-30 years. An obvious example is the auto industry, which is going to change a whole lot in the coming years, so if you go into it, make sure you're doing something that can change with the times.

Things like plumbing though, well, everyone is always going to need a plumber. The landscaping is still going well with the drought (as far as i've heard from a couple mates doing it), a lot of people seem to be wanting to change their gardens to native plants etc.