Career change from being a mechanic

[scottyp27]

Hi all, just after some advice regarding a possible change of career. I'm 33 and have been a mechanic for 16 years on commercial fleet. Half decent money and benefits but I am totally bored and disillusioned with working for a big company and all the b******t that comes with it, even to the point where it's putting me off my passion for cars and the trade etc.

I'm also a believer in the life is short way of thinking, even more so now after I lost my father last year at 57 totally out of the blue which has made me more determined to not get stuck in a rut.

I have a class 2 hgv licence so I have considered a driving job. I'm also comfortable with any diy and household work so have also considered retraining in a new trade.

Wouldn't mind IT work either as I do enjoy using computers but I'm not sure how suited I would be to a desk job.

Also forgot to add I'm married with a small mortgage, no kids and some savings. Just wondering if anyone has any good advice or been in the same boat etc.

[The test driver]

Former tech/mechanic now working in software for an OEM, theres a surprising amount of transferable especially if your good on diagnostics into the IT industries.

[scottyp27]

That does sound interesting, did you have to gain any new qualifications for it ?

[robseagul]

Morning.
Former truck mech here.
I dodged the spanner’s and went to work in industry(factories).
Lots of variations and I was working three days for five days (mechanic )pay allowing me time to buy and play with the toys!

If I can help give me a shout.r

[robseagul]

Morning.
Former truck mech here.
I dodged the spanner’s and went to work in industry(factories).
Lots of variations and I was working three days for five days (mechanic )pay allowing me time to buy and play with the toys!

If I can help give me a shout.r

[V8covin]

Mate of mine retrained as a HGV driver while running his mobile mechanic business.....after a few years he got bored with driving and retrained as a plumber/gas fitter and has been doing that ever since so yes,all avenues are open but in both situations he continued in his current job until he was trained and an opening had come up

[Hoofy]

scottyp27 said:

Wouldn't mind IT work either as I do enjoy using computers but I'm not sure how suited I would be to a desk job.

Mobile IT support? Go out to companies and fix their computers, set up their computers or even build/fix networks.

[Richard-D]

Maybe consider moving to a smaller company. The bigger the business the greater the number of managers/6 Sigma/QA/lean/HR/any number of self important but unproductive clowns there are. Ditch all these 'non-jobs' by working for a smaller business and you may find your job becomes more rewarding and your efforts are appreciated.

[scottyp27]

Thanks for all the replies and helpful info, lots of good suggestions. Thinking of doing a few IT courses online regardless of whether I go down that route or not as it interests me.

As regards to moving to a smaller company as a mechanic, the problem is the money seems to be awful from what I have seen online and heard from others.

[TCX]

Mechanic,it skills,look into machine control systems GPS etc,lots of plant, agricultural machinery getting fitted with it
Would avoid hgv general haulage work,but class 2 could drive wagon cherry pickers,concrete pumps spend most of time on site

[rog007]

scottyp27 said:

Thanks for all the replies and helpful info, lots of good suggestions. Thinking of doing a few IT courses online regardless of whether I go down that route or not as it interests me.

As regards to moving to a smaller company as a mechanic, the problem is the money seems to be awful from what I have seen online and heard from others.

‘…as it interests me.’

That’s a firm clue. Assuming other key factors are in place (Optimistic attitude, Management support and Continued professional development), those who find their work interesting generally have more rewarding careers.