Apprenticeship
Turbo Mini Forums

I'm not usually the kind of person to ask for this sort of advice on a forum but this is something I am attacking from all angles.

Firstly, I'm 20, I have A levels (C,D,E in Biology, Psychology and Chemistry) and I currently work in IT. I'm a technician at the local university on a fair wage for my age but I don't really enjoy it. I don't have any real out goings so I'm thinking it could be the right time to do something more interesting with my days.

So basically, I've been looking at doing an apprenticeship (which will involve an enormous pay cut) in some form of mechanics/engineering. I've found one locally for a company called Track-club. In short, they supply cars for track days; Lotus Exige, Elise, Caterhams, Westfields; and the vacancy is to "learn and support the operation that specialises in high performance vehicles to the highest standards".
To me this sounds like a great opportunity as I've really found I have a great interest in this side of the motor industry.

What I'm really asking is if anyone here did/has done/is doing an apprenticeship and what they got out of it. Whether they learnt what they wanted/needed to know and if it got them into the career they wanted.
In a perfect world I'd like to end up working on and maybe developing some sort of high performance track car.

it all down to the person in what you get out of life if you put a 100% in to it you will get there good luck at your age i would go for it

1293 Turbo mini

That's the bit that's just making me think "fuck it, lets do it"
I've found that if I'm interested in something, I commit and get stuck in and find I learn really fast about the topic. Over the past short while I've learnt so much about the A series and minis in general that I'd like to take it further but also branch out.

go for it mate because as the years go by you will have the word IF i had ????????????

1293 Turbo mini

Another option would be to apply to race teams etc as a junior, granted you dont get the qualification but you will get loads of experience.
I did a degree in Motorsport Engineering and to be honest ive learn more working in industry then i did at uni

1972 998 TURBO SLEEPER

out of interest, what would you actually gain from this apprenticeship? are you a mechanic, engineer, motor technician?

I'm a strong believer in apprenticeships however you need to make sure the company you go with is sound enough to see you through to the end or there are plenty more out there to take you on mid term so to speak

That had entered my head but I wouldn't have any idea how to go about it? Just find a race team and send them an email?

Yeah pretty much, i got my first placement which later turned in development engineer by simple writing an email and being persistent.
They are always looking for juniors to do the boring jobs, just work your way up

1972 998 TURBO SLEEPER

try some where like
http://www.rmlmallock.co.uk/web/RML-Automotive
bigger companies are more likely to have placement schemes.

1972 998 TURBO SLEEPER

Cheers Longy, I'll look into it and drop them an email!

Not wanting to be a killjoy but I'd be wary of this so called apprenticeship.

OK it sounds attractive at the moment, the country is on the up again so track days etc are getting busier again. But what would happen to you if this firm went bust due to whatever reason? You have no qualifications and just experience in running track day cars. Sorry to say but that isn't going to go far in getting you another job.
I'm all for apprenticeships as I think they are a great way of learning a trade, and a proper trade will always be required in the world. I mean by trade sparky/plumber/chippy/fitter etc.

Hmm well either way, it looks like I wont have a job come September so I'm looking at other things to do.

Tom's got a point so getting in with a well establish company is better.

1972 998 TURBO SLEEPER

Apprentice pay is all upto the Employer, it can be anything. i am doing my last 3 months of an engineering apprenticeship and ive got experience and qualifications in the aerospace side of things (sheet metal work too, making panels and bending forming etc) Anyway the point is, i was on 10k for my first year wage... then 12k then 16k now im on 20k and it will go up some more in 3 months time

also look into classic car restoration and racing,
http://www.crosthwaiteandgardiner.com/
http://www.dkeng.com/
dk take on plenty of young guys

Speeding is like masturbating, everyone does it, but not all of us film it and put it on the internet

[quote=fab,8th Oct, 2010]fuck off

as per tom says, but stay away from the heavy plan side of engineering as this will fook you up quickley!

trucks are like car just more room when you are working on them

1293 Turbo mini

All above posts have been awesomely helpful, cheers guys! Keep 'em coming, I'll let you know if anything comes of any of it too.

Just read that WRE are looking to take on an apprentice:

http://www.eurodragster.com/news/news.asp?...y=june03#june03

Edited by Paul S on 4th Jun, 2011.

Saul Bellow - "A great deal of intelligence can be invested in ignorance when the need for illusion is deep."
Stephen Hawking - "The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge."

Im doing an apprentership at the moment at a place called AB motorsport.
I finished Uni due to not completing the the maths part (boo!) and though about all the other options, working in stores etc in the end, while i dont have much out goings or huge amounts of money worried, i managed to get the apprentership...pay isnt great, hours arent great but its interesting, we go out several times a month looking after cars on rallies, last weekend i was at jim clark rally looking after 4 cars... its just alot more interesting that i could see myself doing had i not got this apprentership. Its the kinda job i wanted through uni and i got it without even having to complete the course

David.

I was in your shoes quite a few years ago, i did random courses at college then got a job as a junior tech at peugeot, unfortunatally being foolish i lost my job there, if you put in the time you will get results, after my first 8months i was doi g well enough to service, do cambelt changes, clutches, driveahafts and much more by myself just being watched over, also did a few engine strip and rebuilds as well, i was well ahead of where i should have been because i put in the effort. I went from starting doing 37 hour weeks to 45+ hours because i loved doing it.

To cut short find a good place which has a decent reputation and put your all into it.

Drives
-Ford S-max Mk2 Ecoboost
-Rover 100 VVC #2 - track project

Searching is all you need on TurboMinis

apprenticeships are really good but dont pay well to start with so you may need to make sure its local to you to cut down on accomodation and travel costs.
be wary of motorsport companies as they will get there pound of flesh out of you, you may be better trying a local garage and getting your skills up prior to applying to a motorsport company?