Any Jet Engine Technicians ?
 

Applied for jet engine tech @ BCIT for september, didn't pay anything yet and still wondering if I should go there. Any techs on RS ? Have relatives or friends in that field ? Just want to know how's that industry doing this days, any jobs? Is BCIT's certificate worth anything? What the job is really like? Any info is greatly appreciated as I don't know anybody who's in aerospace field.

I'm not in the industry, but from what happened to Aveos, it seems that airlines are trying to outsource their maint. program to cheaper countries.

Might be something to look into.

I would steer clear from aviation. It's getting harder and harder to find jobs. Even for qualified skilled experienced AMEs like myself. My former coworkers and I, of Aveos are on the streets, seeking work as well.

As for the gas turbine mechanics, the major local company that does overhauls of gas turbine engines (ie. cfm56, cf6) is MTU. They are located out by the airport. Currently they are hiring, but those vacancies will most likely be filled with AMEs, rather than a GT mechanic.

There is a huge saturation of AMEs out there who have worked on the engines themselves or have worked with gas turbine engines in general. They will opt for the experienced rather than a green guy out of school.

If I were you, switch out for the marine program instead. With the Seaspan program ramping up, they will be looking for a lot of people.

thanks a lot for the info! Getting a lot of opinions and they all match yours )

this is why i changed careers

was ame before

as I posted before

"I gradded a longass time ago from the GT class from the bcit areospace campus....job wise, nothing worthwile here in vancouver.....take the 10 month course and go work back east or even in germany to make some decent cash...(bombardier, MTU, GE etc..)

Trans Canada Turbines might pick you guys outta ur class before ur grad...Pratt-Whitney may do the same...but if you are a city boy, forget about moving out...cause you'll cave and come home sooner than you'll think.

edit: btw, all the good instructors have since retired or left....Im not sure whos running the show now..... "


If I were you, I'd take the program, then go and take your 4th class power engineers ticket....and go work for an energy giant.

now I got out of that feild, and working in the Food Science Engineering Feild... go figure..

Despite what everyone thinks, Gas turbine tech have a more steady career path than a AME.

when I graduated i tried to get a job with MTU and Standerdaero but they don't like to hire AMEs because when we find a better job we just quit and move on. in the end whats valuable is TC's ame license right? and working in a GT shop does not fill our log book. but they jumped all over the GT tech grads because they know they cant really go anywhere. different career path

Working in a engine shop only will get you a shop certificate, aka the SCA. and it varies from shop to shop company to company. so, sad to say, they got you by the balls to stay there for the money. (because if you quit and goes to an other company you have to work again like a learner til you get SCA. if you got offer a higher paying job than that's different.)

GT tech make a little less than AME but a little bit more steady career path. trade off, life, always is. but hey, you could be the next big boss there right? you never know.

Just make sure this is something that you want to do. that's all.

on the positive side. MTU just hosted a job fair.

i agree with Supafly,

if you can use the transferable skills to work in the energy plant totally do it.

o yah, and he is right. ".but if you are a city boy, forget about moving out...cause you'll cave and come home sooner than you'll think."

I worked in cold ass Winnipeg, I thank the Lord when i got laid off

GT have a better chance of getting a job than AME.. at least in vancouver... just cause BCIT pumps out up to 32 AME every 2 months assuming both morning and afternoon class graduate.. so if u don't get a job within the first couple months.. it'll get harder and harder.. like why take you and not someone that's still have the knowledge fresh in their mind?

hey! we gradded same year, roughly same time

2008?? class 233 LOL

Oh goodie a GT/AME thread! I graduated in Feb. 09, didn't really get anywhere..

alex.w *// and I are in the same class! Grad Feb 2008

i was an ame before too, what a joke. industry is way too volatile. find something else.

^ i still don't know why they pump out 2 classes of grads every 2 months.

WHERE DO THEY ALL GO?

different career paths. I know many ame's no longer in the trade. This trade is not very forgiving. Its just the cool factor, that's something to talk about. Not everyone that grads, gets a job either.

I think out of my class, only 3 are still ame's. This trade, you don't earn the big bucks/shitty hours/shift work. Plenty of other trades, that are mindless work, and pays the same. What would you pick?

All you former AMEs, what are you doing now? I am looking at a career switch. Despite being an experienced AME, there are no jobs out there. Especially for heavy metal.

I really like airplanes and when I commuted to go to work I enjoy seeing all the passengers on the flight with me. I think this whole aviation industry is sharking but it doesn't mean there's no bright opportunities. I am going to the CNC program in BCIT starting sep. and working hands on is something that I always want/love to do.

All I can say is most of the heavy maintenance in Canada is going to Quebec

and KFC just got a westjet contract. good for Kelowna

I hate how BCIT still tells students that there is a lot of jobs out there for aviation. well, all business no hard feelings right -_- right, until the moment you graduate and not a lot of jobs.

Aviation industry is back on the upwards swing

i dont know if this is related, but my brother does structures.

super busy...lots of work and they fly him all over the country.

they put him up in France for a year too (we have dual citizenship)....he is going back again this summer for another year.

he is 28...went to BCIT

Well, its not only MTU that may be hiring. I work at Vector Aerospace and they consistently hire from each graduating GT class. Helicopter engines interests me and I'm pretty much a hands on guys and I love what I do. Btw I went to BCIT and graduated from the GT class too (GT36).

lol....are they still starting fresh guys at 14.35/hr???

$17.86 or something like that

Do you mind if I ask where he works? I work in the same field too, except for manufacturing.

As a hobby, I work as an auto tech, pay sucks, but I have fun on the job.

My part time career is a self employed contractor, repairing major household appliances. Theres awesome days where all I do is wiggle the plugs, and or reset circuit breakers. easy :fullofwin: