Any heavy duty mechanics here?
 

Who do you work for and how do you like it?

I am looking at possibly entering this trade.

pretty easy cuz everything is big, but very messy and very heavy

i'm in the bcit hd eltt program right now.. and there everywhere is hiring hd mechanics right now.. not enough ppl for the amount of work. also depending on your what age you are entering the trade at too, there are alot of young guys and it makes if harder for the older guys that just enter the trade to get work

is it hard toget into at bcit forthat trade?

not really just grade 11 english, math the usual... check the bcit website... theres a long waiting list though... 1- 1.5 years.. i got lucky and only waited about 6 months

bump.. anyone have any info on this as of now, this threads 2 years old. Ive searched workopolis and didnt come up with many jobs i think only one. Are people getting laid off, or is it picking up?

I have a friend that worked for finning. Im pretty sure he's been their for over 5 years and he was laid off last year. He tells me their is only a handful of people working at the shop that used to run 24/7. However as oil sands production picks up it will get better.

is he still laid off? is it gonna pik up any time soon

Last time I checked he is still laid off and doesn't know when he will be back.

I used to work at Finnings and dropped by the Richmond branch today. It sounds like all the branches are not really busy and won't be hiring for a while.
What sort of work are you looking for?

not to thread jack but.. are any companies even looking for apprentices right now?
commercial transport and heavy duty
first year is especially hard..

Well i was thinking of taking the heavy duty mechanic course, guess i shouldnt

you should, it pays very well, its just a really bad time to get into the field.

anybody with the hd eltt go into the automotive field without taking the auto eltt?

Did u get laid off from heavy duty mech?

Can't hurt to take the course. Things will pick up in the future and if the mining picks up, there will be lots of work. I remember a few years ago, Finning was offering a finders fee of $500 for any leads in picking up HD mechanics. Of course, the catch was that they had to go up to Diavik to work.

yeah i did, way back in dec. havent been looking extensively since, but now that money is getting a little tight, ive been looking, and its dry out there imo.
but by all means, take the eltt course, by the time youre done, the recession should be over (apparently it is already..bs) and everything should be back to what it was.
but yeah back to my question....should i try out some auto shops ?

theres a couple of postings on craigslist for hd mech