Student Guides: How To Become An Automotive Apprentice

Interested in a fast-moving career in the automotive industry? Not too sure where to start? We've pulled together a guide of what's in an apprenticeship, how to get one and what the best part of getting involved in the industry!

What’s involved in this industry?
Cars! Anything to do with the design, operation, manufacture, or sale of automobiles and automotive parts makes up this industry.

What is an apprenticeship?
Australian Apprenticeships is the title that covers both apprenticeships and traineeships. Australian Apprenticeships are jobs that combine paid work and structured training.

With an Australian Apprenticeship you spend time in paid employment, learning practical skills on-the-job and putting them into practice.

Structured training can be done either on-the-job or off-the-job training at a TAFE or another Registered Training Organisation (RTO), depending on the industry you are in. At the end of it, you can get a nationally recognised qualification.

How long does it go for?
Apprenticeships generally last between thirty six to forty eight months. Traineeships generally take between twelve to twenty four months to complete.

How much do I get paid as an apprentice?
Employers are governed by the National Training Wage Award System. To see how much you are entitled to earn as a trainee, call the Australian Workplace Authority . How much you can earn can depend on things including how much education or training you already have, or a competency-based wage.
Wages could also depend on your age.

How much do I get paid when I’m qualified?
Various jobs in the Automotive Industry, such as Motor Mechanics and Automotive Electrician earn on average $750 - 900 per week.

The best part of the job?
“It changes all the time and you get to see the countryside. And of course you get to play with all the new cars!”

- Peter Allen , who works as a mechanic and driver in the film and television industry. He has parked cars on the steps of the Opera House and driven a Porsche through the desert of South Australia.

Anything else cool to know about?
Looking for inspiration? Check out some Podcasts chatting to apprentices about how they felt entering their apprenticeship.

SkillsOne has loads of short clips about apprentices in the Automotive Industry, including one doco about an apprentice training for Worldskills - showing the world what the best Australian mechanics can do!

Trying to narrow down exactly what you want to do?
Several sites have Career Profiles and statistics about the jobs within the automotive industry that you might want to enter.

Check out:

My Future, which lists loads of Automotive Career Profiles.

Job Guide lists loads of jobs in the Automotive, Electrical and Metals Industries .

Job Search has a listing of statistics about the industry - including job prospects and pay.

And SkillsOne, of course, has loads of Career Profiles about people who work with cars!
 

Links to people who really know about cars!

Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries - http://www.fcai.com.au/

Auto-Post - http://www.autopost.com.au/news-reviews.php

Automotive Training Australia - http://www.automotivetraining.org.au/

Motor Trades Association of Australia - http://www.mtaa.com.au/

[Sourced from: Skills Tasmania, Job Juice, Job Guide, Job Search, SkillsOne, My Career, Australian Apprenticeships, My Career.]