Main Duties of a Mechanic

The main duties and responsibilites of a motor mechanic are to repair and maintain motor vehicles as part of a team based in a garage for customers, as well as some customisation and modification to vehicles. It is important when thinking about a career in this field that you have a genuine interest for vehicles and some knowledge in the way they work, for example, knowing how to drive will help as training programs tend to be very long indeed.

There are many different paths that can be followed in the field of motor mechanic as long as you have correct qualifiactions, and more important in modern days, to have some experience of fixing and maintaining motor vehicles. It is possible to work your way up through the various ranks of skill in a corporate promotional ladder, or like so many others do, set up your own personal company.

Training for Mechanics

When starting out in the business you usually go through various levels of training from college, which should eventually take you up to an NVQ Level 3 in Vehicle Maintenance And Repair, or a qualification of a similar subject and level. The easiest way to get into the field of vehicle maintenance is to get an apprenticeship from college, under 19, which will give you the experience of working in that environment, as well as the training you need in order to perform the tasks at hand.

As well as this training you may require a selection of qualifications in a specific area of expertise if this is the career path you are looking at heading towards, such as paintwork, bodywork, or engineering and repairs.

The Work Load of a Mechanic

The work load and hours you are set will vary greatly depending on the garage you work at and if it's your own business you have the choice of hours and amount of work to take on. Sometimes there are seasonal variations in the amount of work, which specifically applies to motorcycle mechanics who will find that there is more work in the spring after bikes are left out in the winter, and all the way through the 'biking season' that is summer.

Most garages have working hours that usually consist of about 40 hours per week, but it can vary greatly. Wages will also vary depending on a number of factors including the area in which you work, your qualifications and the experience you have, plus whether you have any specialist knowledge at all. Basic salaries tend to range around the £11,000 mark when first starting and can rise up to £20,000 and more depending on the abilities you gain during your time as a mechanic. If you work for yourself then you are likely to be able to pick up a little more with good experience and reputation.