How do I become a \'motorcycle technician\' - Serious job question
 

Right then, seeing as I'm an out of work loser, I've had lots of time to think about what I want to do.

Every bloody job requires a list of qualifications and certificates these days (I know bike mechanics do too) and I'd be near retirement by the time I could afford to get any!!

What's annoying is that there isn't a job I couldn't do - but just don't have the paperwork (Maybe I couldn't do topless modelling...) So, I've thought about which jobs I would get satisfaction from, as opposed to a 6 figure salary like TP :P

Despite the fact I go on about having mechanics to fix my bikes, that's not strictly true - it was only Louigi coz it was his bike.

OK, maybe AK as well, but that was his bike too.

...and possibly Chass, but yadda yadda yadda...

I'm actually not retarded with a spanner, and could never afford to take my bikes to the shop, so I'm self taught and half alright.

So, with that in mind, are there any specific qualifications I need, or is it just a case of finding a dealer daft enough to give me a job as a trainee or something?

Any advice appreciated (useful that is)

:D

Dom
You need to register with Remit, www.remit.co.uk And then find a dealer to take you on. Not sure on the age qualification tho.
It aint easy, BMW have just started running tech courses too, so that could be an option and i would immagine the pay would be better, The pay aint great mate, you do it for the love of bikes not the wages. Well my mechanic does cos i pay him ferk all.
If you need any contacts at remit gimmie a shout
Glyn

cant you do this sort of thing at college? become qualified then apply for a job...

Baradders its not that easy, We tried this with our apprentice, he has to travel to crawley once a month for his block release, We tried to get him in a closer college but there are so few interested in motorcycles its not financialy viable for them to run the courses. One or two do run tech courses that encompass a little bike work but they had no bikes for the students to play with...... A little pointless me thinks, he could learn more from the tinternet if he got off the porn sites.
Personally I would rather employ an eager would be mechanic who can demonstrate his skills without qualifications than someone who has just finnished a course and has a piece of paper.( and think they know it all)
My 2 penneth

[Edited on 21-1-2006 by Scooter916]

I think I really like Glyn :lol:

I do agree with you though, the world has gone certificate and course crazy since I left school in '92 :o

Transferable skills seems to be in at the moment, Always worth a blag anyway.
Glyn

Where do I get those from?

:lol::lol::lol:

What a state of affairs if crawley college in sussex is the best option for someone from oop norf.
My mate derek (ex norton racer) has been teaching there recently, and some of the courses they run for the, shall we say, more legally-challenged people, have tried his patience a bit !

Dom, I would suggest you spread the word in person at all your local garages and bike shops rather than here.
Try and call in some favours from old friends to get a foot in the door somewhere, as once you have had some experience somewhere (anywhere) the next step is easier.

Well I Got some, Maybe i could Transfer them to you....Thats how it works i fink.
:D

Are they in PDF format, and can I download em?

:lol:

Dom If i were you mate!
and i have been a Bike techy all my life!

The money is crap!:lol:

and what scooter says is true!

If I were to come into the job now, i would be looking at the Hi-tech side of the job!

the place to be right now is the PC set up side

like everything else within the next 5-10 years your mate next door/down the road will be bolixed without a lap top and soft ware;)

Go for the techno side it is the future!;)
trust me:smug:

Oh I've done that (today), I'm not sure if I'm being taken seriously though :o:o:o

Like I told you before sonny, Driving Instructor seems right up your street :P

Diving off the Tamar Bridge is that.
Dom
Just as mav says, Concentrate on your web stuff, You do a cracking job from what i have seen, Get down to business link and see how they can help you set it up as a genuine business, hell they will probably put you in touch with other newish companies in the area that could use your web skills for their business.
That is what i did, 17 years in the RAF, couldnt decide what to do, did the usual hgv work for a month before i decided i needed to do it for myself, Business link and alike can point you in the direction of some very helpfull people. It worked for us and we just sell scooters,fix em and mot em. Also there are quite a few government grants out there for the taking(if your not retailing to the public)
try em, you have a skill thats worth pushing.
Glyn

Hello domski

If you wanna setup a business good luck to you mate,
But make the break Big time and don't look back, because that's what will kill you . . . never look back.

Forget about what you need as regards to qualifcations,
I would rather see somebody with a passion for the bikes,
paper work means jack sh**t get yourself a good regular base of Duc peeps popping in then work from there.

Look after your regulars " even if they are a pain in the Ass"
and most importantly have fun . . because if you don't you will start to agree with your wife. :lol:



regards

TopiToo

Good advice from everyone - thanks very much :)

I have thought of hundreds of jobs to do, and many business ideas (mainly get poor quick ones) and I've decided that life is too short to worry about making a fortune - nobody really needs as much money as Lord Rattler!!

I want to be happy at work, and as long as I can go racing and pay the bills, that's all I should worry about for the next 10 years.

I've had a string of crappy jobs, all paying pretty good (for down here anyway) but I've always ended up working vast hours, and having no life.

That's gunna change whilst I'm still in my 20's (only just).

Websites are ok, but I'm not confident enough in my ability to make it really work - and I'm too lazy to make it work from home.

I love bikes. Almost every minute of every day for the last 15 years (I'm not kidding) I have been thinking about motorcycles in one way or another (nothing sexual - I don't think).

I've had the bike shop - which went tits up, coz I was young and stoopid.

I'm not really a salesman.

I like playing with stuff, and was always taking stuff apart as a kid - not always putting it back together!

Bikes rock!!

Hopefully I can get in somewhere for a day or 2 a week, and start to get experience, and I'm sure I can take it from there.

I wonder if I can hide a laptop in a tool chest :P

:D

Well Dom
You seem keen on the idea of it, so good on ya.
All the best in your quest.
Glyn

Jim'll Fix It???? :eureka: