Automotive

What’s it all about?

If you sign up for an automotive apprenticeship, you’ll be learning all about automobiles like cars, trucks and bikes, as the name suggests. It doesn’t mean you have to be stuck with the offensive old-school rev-head or grease monkey labels. Automotive apprenticeships have come a long way, and it isn’t about playing with big toys or putting your pedal to the metal. There are a range of certificates you can complete courses for, like mechanical automotive, automotive engineering, light vehicles, vehicle bodies and general automotive.

Will it suit me?

Guy or girl, if you don’t mind getting your hands dirty and don’t mind the smell of grease and petrol, you’ll be okay! You’ll need to enjoy practical and manual work, and have a mind for logic and problem-solving, and be fit. If you’re doing engineering, you’ll need to enjoy maths, science, technical and analytical work.
You’ll also need to have at least completed Year 10 at high school, but some apprenticeships require you to have completed Year 11 if the course is more specialised.

What will I learn?

Automotive apprenticeships will teach you all about the design, manufacture and operation of vehicles, as well as how to fix and maintain them. Depending on what kind of automotive apprenticeship you decide on, you will be learning varying amounts of theory subjects and practical skills. And again, depending on what you specialise in, you will learn this for all different kinds of vehicles.

How long will it last and what is the wage?

An automotive apprenticeship usually takes 4 years to complete. You will work through certificates each year as a 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th year apprentice. Wages while you’re studying start at around $250 a week for the 1st year, up to $530 a week in your 4thyear.

What careers will there be for me and what will I earn?

Completing an automotive apprenticeship will give you the opportunity to work in all kinds of fields within the industry. You can be a motor mechanic, automotive technician, automotive electrician, an engineer, or even a sales person, or maybe start your own business.
If you’re employed by someone else, you can earn anywhere from $25,000 – $40,000 a year. If you work for yourself or hire other people in your own business, then it could rise from $50,000 – $80,000 a year. If you’re an engineer, you could be on yearly salaries of up to $120,000 a year. People will always need their cars repaired or vehicles designed, so the work’s there if you want it.