[SushiWushiRoll]

I recently just started apprenticing under my friend and his dad in a shop out in Coquitlam. My friend's dad specializes in body repair & painting and I have to say I really enjoy learning how to fix damaged cars even though the work can be a bit tedious at times. Starting to have thoughts of possibly pursuing a career in the automotive field of work but I'm not completely set on it since I'm in school for something else right now. Opinions from people in this line of work would be much appreciated in giving me an idea what I would be getting into.

[Jobo]

No.

[BrRsn]

No.

Yes.

[c4@urdoor]

It's hard work, and not great pay considering the negatives of the job. You work with nasty chemicals and other products. Lot's of airborne hazards. I'm sure you already know, but unless you are very fit and flexible, you are working in odd positions for extended periods of time. Lot's of back/knee/elbow pain.
Unless you work for a well established auto body shop/chain, you won't enjoy it. The alternatives are shitty, immigrant run shops that do shitty jobs fixing shitty cars and will treat and pay you poorly.
Only worth if you set your own small shop up and work for yourself.

[underscore]

What are you in school for right now, and how far in/how much longer do you have?

[meme405]

As others have stated, its not something where you will make lots of money. I'm sure there are rare success stories, from people who fired up their own shops and they grew their businesses into chains, and so on.

But most shop owners will be right there working on cars, likely making enough to live comfortably.

[BoostedBB6]

It's no where near as good as it used to be. You will not become rich doing it.
The top paid people in Vancouver are lucky to get above $100k a year after tax.
If you enjoy it and want to do it, then go for it. It will pay the bills, you will always be in demand and its a trade that will offer you a lot of skills that can be transferred to other areas if you so choose to.

If you wanting to do just bodywork, the money is crap, the work is hard and the amount of chemicals and stuff around you is very high. Look at most guys who have been doing it for 20-40 years and they are half brain dead from the stuff they smell all day.

[Godzira]

in Edmonton I was a 2nd year AST apprentice, I loved going to work everyday its always something new, always something to learn, always a challenge. but at the end of the day I was so sick of working on minivans and fwd cars that I didn't want to do anything to my own car. Cars are my passion and hobby, I've decided to keep it that way. I work at a dealership now and its a lot less exciting not being on the tools.. but its still enjoyable and theres definitely opportunities to make just as much money in service or parts as mechanics do.

[SushiWushiRoll]

What are you in school for right now, and how far in/how much longer do you have?

I'm in first year biology at the moment and have at least another 3 years minimum to go. I'm not sure what kind of career to pursue within biology and is the reason why i considered automotive. As much as I love biology, I'm more of a hands-on person. Also browsing through bcit trades programs to see if anything interests me.

[underscore]

Sort of a side note then, but unless you have a specific career path within biology that you're aiming for I'd move to something else, I have a pile of friends who took bio and chem degrees without thinking of the fact that they had no use for them when they finished. At present one chem grad is going for her masters (to teach more people to get a useless degree...) and the rest are working min wage jobs.

[rcoccultwar]

After flipping through a good article in Wired magazine a few years ago, it would appear fully automated driver-less cars will be a commonplace in maybe 5-10 or 20 years. Going to guess there will be half the work in the industry once you're the manager or supervisor.

[Ludepower]

the trade is going down the toilet.
Immigrant workers and apprentice being taken advantage of.

[VR6GTI]

the trade is going down the toilet.
Immigrant workers and apprentice being taken advantage of.
Speaking from experience?

[meme405]

After flipping through a good article in Wired magazine a few years ago, it would appear fully automated driver-less cars will be a commonplace in maybe 5-10 or 20 years. Going to guess there will be half the work in the industry once you're the manager or supervisor.

And driver less cars are exempt from mechanical maintenance? :suspicious:

Also 5-20 years is a pretty broad margin for someone to guesstimate something will become "commonplace". Sounds like something some dipshit author who knows nothing pulled out of his ass cause it made him seem smart.

Also the experience of someone who can fix things, goes much farther than cars, it extends too all things mechanical, of which our dependency will only continue to grow.

My point being, don't limit yourself to not doing what you desire to do, because you think there might not be a future in it. The truth is nobody knows what's going to happen tomorrow, let alone try and tell me that trades are useless because in 10 years robots will do everything for us.

[RE-Jo]

Just open a shop that does Vinyl wrap, plastiDip & tron stickers :)

[Godzira]

the trade is going down the toilet.
Immigrant workers and apprentice being taken advantage of.

to add to this I worked at a shop with 18 other mechanics over half of them were Philippino or from another country and worked for $12/hr. 90% of their jobs would come back for me to fix. (IM NOT SAYING ALL PHILIPPINOS are like this, I'm not racist and DO NOT mean to generalize at all) im just speaking from my own experience. If the boss came around they'd grab a broom and act like they've been working hard all day. they gave our shop such a bad reputation with all of their shotty jobs and comebacks. its frustrating, part of the reason I became a mechanic in the first place was because I didn't trust anyone touching my cars. I could write a novel of the horror stories and its just sad that good customer service in this industry is so far and few between.

[MindBomber]

I'm in first year biology at the moment and have at least another 3 years minimum to go. I'm not sure what kind of career to pursue within biology and is the reason why i considered automotive. As much as I love biology, I'm more of a hands-on person. Also browsing through bcit trades programs to see if anything interests me.

I would encourage you to continue to look further into the trades, there are a numerous options that are significant better than automotive in every respect. Whether it be HVAC, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, etc. there's endless opportunities in a very wide range of different environments with the potential to easily run your own business.

[kingmarianor]

If you want to get into any trade involving cars, I suggest autobody/collision repair..

It's already a difficult trade as it is considering all the competition there is in the city, but there wont be much for new mechanics entering the trade in the future.

As much as I love the sounds of an engine, it won't be long before the majority of people will be driving electric cars

[fliptuner]

to add to this I worked at a shop with 18 other mechanics over half of them were Philippino or from another country and worked for $12/hr. 90% of their jobs would come back for me to fix. (IM NOT SAYING ALL PHILIPPINOS are like this, I'm not racist and DO NOT mean to generalize at all) im just speaking from my own experience. If the boss came around they'd grab a broom and act like they've been working hard all day. they gave our shop such a bad reputation with all of their shotty jobs and comebacks. its frustrating, part of the reason I became a mechanic in the first place was because I didn't trust anyone touching my cars. I could write a novel of the horror stories and its just sad that good customer service in this industry is so far and few between.

"Filipino"

The boss must be stupid to keep shitty workers around, regardless of race. It's pretty easy to determine who's work comes back to get re-done.

Working in a general repair/tire shop made me so sick of working on cars that I lost any desire to work on my own stuff. I moved on to a different trade and I'm much happier. There's also a lot of competition and you pretty much have to get lucky or climb a long ladder before you make any decent money.

As mindbomber suggested, you should consider other trades - even HD mechanics have it easier than auto techs.

[Godzira]

"Filipino"

The boss must be stupid to keep shitty workers around, regardless of race. It's pretty easy to determine who's work comes back to get re-done.

Oh good. You missed the point completely. It wasn't about race it was about what made him the most money. A handful of guys that can do a job really quick and get paid $12/hr or one mechanic that does the same job but thoroughly and gets triple the pay, in the long run they make him more money even with the comebacks .. Which is what is wrong with the automotive trade

You can have it quick and cheap but it won't be done properly.. When it comes to me id rather take a little extra time, do everything the right way and not have to do a job twice.

[fliptuner]

Again, regardless of race, my point is if they're doing shitty work, they're making the owner less money in the long run. Any shop with a bad reputation, as you said, doesn't get repeat customers.

[Godzira]

Agreed!

[Puck Luck]

I've been a mechanic and working at a dealership for over 23 years and just quit a little over a month ago. Left the auto industry and not missing it.

Working flat rate is truly a dog eat dog environment. It can be very lucrative IF, its very busy, or if your very bright and can work fast, or can find ways to avoid the shitty paying jobs or have no shame in making unnecessary recommendations. I'm not saying the trade is going down the toilet, but is definitely getting harder to make hours.

I used to enjoy staying late and tinkering on my own car, but much how like ICE BOY said it, i just got sick of it and lost any desire to work on my own car. Working on the motorbike is still kinda fun though.
If you really wanted to get into the mechanical part of it, i would suggest at least having a look at the HD mechanic side of things. Partly because i think it might pay a bit more but mainly, it seems to open the door to more mechanical related career opportunities. BUT i must say, the skills i learned and acquired through my old dealer and manufacture has transferred well into my new career. And i am very grateful for that.

If i had to do it all over again and pick a trade, i would consider something related to construction, such as plumbing or electrical.

just my 2 cents, and bit of a rant

[Ludepower]

Speaking from experience?

Flat rate painter working for a big shop.

Again, regardless of race, my point is if they're doing shitty work, they're making the owner less money in the long run. Any shop with a bad reputation, as you said, doesn't get repeat customers.

You have hamburger shops like kirmac and craftsman in bed with ICBC.

This trade has slowly deteriorated into becoming a general labours job.

only positive I see are the old guys retiring and apprentices becoming discouraged and quitting after a short while.

Which means the demand is strong for QUALITY fast bodymans or painter.

[SushiWushiRoll]

Becoming an electrician or plumber has interested me in the past. Probably gonna look into that again.

[hud 91gt]

Plumber you can make money… But really? You want to deal with gross shit day in, day out?

Electrician all the way. Close second? Air conditioning/Heat pumps etc.

[VR6GTI]

Plumber you can make money… But really? You want to deal with gross shit day in, day out?

Electrician all the way. Close second? Air conditioning/Heat pumps etc.

There's alot more to plumbing than dealing with shit.

[hud 91gt]

There's alot more to plumbing than dealing with shit.

You take my shit comment too literally. Gross shit does not just mean excrament, as per the most politically correct website online; Urban dictionary.

Shit
The Most Functional English Word

Well, it's shit...that's right, shit!
Shit may just be the most functional
word in the English language.
Examples:
You can get shit-faced,
Be shit out of luck,
or have shit for brains.
With a little effort,
you can get your shit together,
Find a place for your shit, Or
be asked to shit or get off the pot.
You can smoke shit,
buy shit,
sell shit,
lose shit,
find shit,
forget shit,
and tell others to eat shit.
……. The list goes on.




Everything to do with plumbing, unless your strictly dealing with new construction is dirty.

[GS8]

Becoming an electrician or plumber has interested me in the past. Probably gonna look into that again.

It sounds like you just enjoy working on cars. Trust me, when money comes into play, a hobby is no longer a hobby.

Solution? Get yourself a project car to build up how you want it while pursuing a career path you won't regret.

[meme405]

Plumber you can make money… But really? You want to deal with gross shit day in, day out?


Reminded me of this:

Millwrights Vs. Electricians - YouTube

A personal favorite at most jobsites I have been on.

"Electricians control the fucking lightning"

[underscore]

Becoming an electrician or plumber has interested me in the past. Probably gonna look into that again.

Electrical is probably the most versatile trade there is, everything from residential to commercial to manufacturing to working up north is available and always will be.

[Godzira]

be an elechicken.
good money, challenging, always work, good to know for your own house/car
(just please don't use marrets on your cars... lol I've seen this too many times)

[rcoccultwar]

And driver less cars are exempt from mechanical maintenance? :suspicious:

Also 5-20 years is a pretty broad margin for someone to guesstimate something will become "commonplace". Sounds like something some dipshit author who knows nothing pulled out of his ass cause it made him seem smart.

Also the experience of someone who can fix things, goes much farther than cars, it extends too all things mechanical, of which our dependency will only continue to grow.

My point being, don't limit yourself to not doing what you desire to do, because you think there might not be a future in it. The truth is nobody knows what's going to happen tomorrow, let alone try and tell me that trades are useless because in 10 years robots will do everything for us.

No, driverless cars are not exempt from mechanic maintenance. Speaking of mechanical maintenance, although it appears there are a growing percentage of dissatisfied auto mechanics, you can still try to look at things optimistically. Audi mechanics now have robots assist in there repairs/work. Other industries are starting to flirt with the idea as well. Generally speaking, as a mechanic or whatever job you have, you want clientele stuck in the 90's or clientele that are always curious and are constantly interested in updating?

The idea of working in the automotive industry sounds amazing. Went to BCIT's info session on becoming an auto-body guy but after detailed research on the future of driverless cars it is a risk obviously cannot take. You want auto insurance to go up or for it to go down? I prefer it to go down.

[meme405]

No, driverless cars are not exempt from mechanic maintenance. Speaking of mechanical maintenance, although it appears there are a growing percentage of dissatisfied auto mechanics, you can still try to look at things optimistically. Audi mechanics now have robots assist in there repairs/work. Other industries are starting to flirt with the idea as well. Generally speaking, as a mechanic or whatever job you have, you want clientele stuck in the 90's or clientele that are always curious and are constantly interested in updating?

The idea of working in the automotive industry sounds amazing. Went to BCIT's info session on becoming an auto-body guy but after detailed research on the future of driverless cars it is a risk obviously cannot take. You want auto insurance to go up or for it to go down? I prefer it to go down.

What?

Did you just string random words together and hope that it comes together as a coherent thought?

You talk about mechanics & utilization of robots, then throw in some non-sense about clients stuck in the 90's....

Then out of left field you delve into insurance rates, and how you hope they are going to go down...

wtf...

If I try to decipher what you are saying I get something like this: We won't need technicians, because robots will fix the cars, and we won't need body repair people because driverless cars won't get into accidents. Now assuming that your wild hopes and dreams come true (which is so far off that any sane human being will not base their career on). We will still need trades people and technicians to fix and build your robots.

Next you are going to try and tell me that the robots will repair the robots, which repair the cars...

[hud 91gt]

I'd say this fits his username nicely.

http://loyalkng.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/cowboys-vs-aliens-hot-chick.jpg

[VR6GTI]

I read cell phones will fix vehicles in the next 400 years, after reading that i just cant take that chance of going into any trade

[see.lai]

Went to school for the AST program a year ago and came out as a lot boy for a 6 months. Now I'm a lube guy at a different dealership.

It's really slow in the field right now. Maybe it's just the dealerships that I've worked at. I'm only doing this because I don't know what else to do, lol.

Find something else :)

[fliptuner]

Also, depending on the dynamics of the shop, have fun dealing with cheap, know-it-all customers.

[Godzira]

our dealership cant seem to catch up we need more techs and advisors

[rcoccultwar]

What?

Did you just string random words together and hope that it comes together as a coherent thought?

You talk about mechanics & utilization of robots, then throw in some non-sense about clients stuck in the 90's....

Then out of left field you delve into insurance rates, and how you hope they are going to go down...

wtf...

If I try to decipher what you are saying I get something like this: We won't need technicians, because robots will fix the cars, and we won't need body repair people because driverless cars won't get into accidents. Now assuming that your wild hopes and dreams come true (which is so far off that any sane human being will not base their career on). We will still need trades people and technicians to fix and build your robots.

Next you are going to try and tell me that the robots will repair the robots, which repair the cars...

Maybe you should slow down a bit. Just re-read my post and just that with internet communication format, yes its not perfect but still a pass. It is coherent. You want references I guess?.. Go search yourself MEME405 if you don't trust me.

No re-read. I'm all for trades growth and development particularly relating to infrastructure. Now I'm starting to doubt this notion.

[rcoccultwar]

I read cell phones will fix vehicles in the next 400 years, after reading that i just cant take that chance of going into any trade

I read Xiaomi cellphones have a narrow lead in sales.

[underscore]

Considering that driverless cars haven't been perfected yet, let alone hit the market, by the time they become mainstream somebody entering an auto trade now could have had a full career and retired.

[Ludepower]

The idea of working in the automotive industry sounds amazing. Went to BCIT's info session on becoming an auto-body guy but after detailed research on the future of driverless cars it is a risk obviously cannot take. You want auto insurance to go up or for it to go down? I prefer it to go down.

U decided against it because driver less cars and robots are taking over? Oww boy...no occuptation is safe then.

I would say auto mechanics are getting the shaft. Cars arent getting fixed as often because reliability is up. Also nothing gets repaired anymore. You're just swaping parts in and out. Best off to specialize in other mechanical trades.

Like I said before. Autobody is a good trade as long as you're dedicated.
That goes with any career. The money will come...just focus on being better than your peers.

[rcoccultwar]

U decided against it because driver less cars and robots are taking over? Oww boy...no occuptation is safe then.


That and the fact I would not mind some days to let my car drive me home hands free while I take advantage of my Kuerig? coffee dispenser option of 1000 dollars while I read the paper on the way to work.

[Cillu]

That and the fact I would not mind some days to let my car drive me home hands free while I take advantage of my Kuerig? coffee dispenser option of 1000 dollars while I read the paper on the way to work.

My head is starting to hurt from trying to follow this guy's train of thought.

[MindBomber]

Everything to do with plumbing, unless your strictly dealing with new construction is dirty.

It's a slight exaggeration to suggest everything outside of new builds is dirty; it's really only dirty where you're tying into existing. It's not even tough to do strictly new builds, if you so desire. I rarely work outside of new builds despite being totally open to renos, etc. I think plumbing is a great trade to go into precisely because the slight negative perceptions of it, in comparison to electrical, thin out the competition quite a bit.

[alex.w *//]

Electrical is probably the most versatile trade there is, everything from residential to commercial to manufacturing to working up north is available and always will be.


Imo, I think residential electrician new construction is hard work.

I'm in the Low voltage alarm system and home automation , it's just much easier lugging a cat wire Instead of luggin around loomex , plus programming the system to Integrate all the system together is way cooler than just installing a on/off light switch

[rcoccultwar]

My head is starting to hurt from trying to follow this guy's train of thought.

If it makes you feel any better, in 30 years I would say driverless cars guaranteed. Robots 'man-ing' technical hands-on jobs is beyond my comprehension. Elon Musk and amongst other powerful people see this as a danger if it ever happens but good to know it has crossed people's minds at the very least.

[underscore]

Imo, I think residential electrician new construction is hard work.

I'm in the Low voltage alarm system and home automation , it's just much easier lugging a cat wire Instead of luggin around loomex , plus programming the system to Integrate all the system together is way cooler than just installing a on/off light switch

I never said it was easy, just that it's versatile. There are a lot of different things that require electricians and will continue to require electricians for a very long time. There's nothing wrong with residential alarm systems but that career is very specific, you'd have a harder time transferring that to other industries should you desire to.

Either way I'd take working on new construction over pulling wires for any system in an existing build, I hate doing that stuff albeit I don't all have the tools a pro has.

[dvst8]

Like many have said, be prepared to grind it out for a few years as a Auto mechanic. Even after getting your license, you're not guaranteed to be financially stable. I wouldn't go into mechanics for the money. If you do pursue it, specialize in something

I would've became a mechanic but realized that the money wasn't great so went into another field. I am happy to be able to still learn and work on my own car.

[alphaspec1mens]

Look at most guys who have been doing it for 20-40 years and they are half brain dead from the stuff they smell all day.

that's why you don't date hot chicks!

[maksimizer]

I know 4 people who work as a mechanic.
22 year old at Audi. 4th year.
28 year old at Honda. 4th year.
42 year old (worked at multiple shops / dealerships. since his 20s)
55 year old that owns his own private shop. (also done cars since 20s)

None of them reccomend it. As stated before, hard work, awkward positions. Do your own cars, or be the boss. Do not do it for a living.

[hud 91gt]

My dad was a 35 year mechanic. Recently quit and is now working with boats.

Hates having to work on his own car, it's sad because it was a passion. Hopefully with the new job, he might get back into it.

[MindBomber]

I never said it was easy, just that it's versatile. There are a lot of different things that require electricians and will continue to require electricians for a very long time. There's nothing wrong with residential alarm systems but that career is very specific, you'd have a harder time transferring that to other industries should you desire to.

Either way I'd take working on new construction over pulling wires for any system in an existing build, I hate doing that stuff albeit I don't all have the tools a pro has.

it is true that you can't transfer into other industries as easily with low v electrical as with electrical but the typical install of low v is more involved than alarms, especially at the upper tier of custom homes where the installs often run several hundred k.

[dashosh]

I will never work for a used car dealership, I can't imagine how many problems they have with the used cars at first. Depends on position you want.
As for official distributor, of course.

[alex.w *//]

it is true that you can't transfer into other industries as easily with low v electrical as with electrical but the typical install of low v is more involved than alarms, especially at the upper tier of custom homes where the installs often run several hundred k.

yes! I love what i do. Custom Smart Homes

Smart lighting controls, custom AV, shades/blind control, heating/ac control,

as well doing cctv, alarms, access control, networking.