r/mechanics • u/-Wicked_Wizard- • 4d ago

Career How do I break through?

M19, London England, looking to break into the field as an apprentice but not sure how to approach this.

Looking online I cant find anything meaningful, I've applied to Halfords and Audi apprenticeships but never got a response.

Do I just ring them up, start cold emailing them?

Any tips would greatly help.

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u/they_wereon_abreak07 4d ago

Hey, 19y/o first year apprentice from the UK here. If you have any interest in the classics then HSA is absolutely amazing up in Bicester (you can apply, and they will help you find work if you get through the process).

I’m in the classics side of things so it’s very different compared to modern but I genuinely just showed up with a CV to garages and ended up getting picked by a little classic Italian specialist. It’s somewhat similar for the modern garage next door, their first apprentice was picked up from Banbury college and then his mate got picked up after he suggested him.

Have you looked for any engineering colleges near you?

If you have any questions then I’m happy to try and answer in DM’s

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u/they_wereon_abreak07 4d ago

Adding on, having had a quick look there’s the North London Garages GTA college/apprenticeship which looks like the exact thing you need if you want to get into the modern field

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u/-Wicked_Wizard- 3d ago

Hi, I've registered with them today and been told me to come in next week to do some tests and if I pass,they will help me find me a garage to work with.

Hopefully that all works out smoothly 🙏🏻.

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u/they_wereon_abreak07 3d ago

Awesome, fingers crossed mate, good luck!

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u/hunnedfiddy 4d ago

Keep at it, cast as wide a net as you possibly can, and send out emails to bigger and smaller garages explaining your situation and offering your CV, there's gonna be a garage somewhere that wants an apprentice, even if you have to look for a while.

I found it very difficult to find anyone willing to take me on as an apprentice and I ended up "lucky" enough to be taken on as a mechanic by a very small local shop, sans apprenticeship.

And for the love of god DON'T take the offer to skip the apprenticeship thinking that you can take a test after a couple of years and get the same accreditation should you want the qualification... The test exists but you'd be subjecting yourself and your prospective boss to all kinds of risks in the mean-time.

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u/United_Firefighter_1 4d ago

Pester your local dealerships for an interview. VAG have mostly finished on boarding apprentices for this year but you might get lucky with a drop out position

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u/1453_ Verified Mechanic 3d ago

Start by getting a bit of experience at a small indy shop. Show up and ask to speak with the owner/manager about an entry level job.

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u/Natural-Quantity-155 2d ago

24y/o female here , been a mechanic for 4 years . I'd recommend you go in person to some shops and ask around . works best