Career change?

[batesy72]

Hi guys

As the title suggests I am considering the possibility of a career change.

I am currently working as an automotive technician/mechanic and I am curious as to what your thoughts are on this as a possible change and if there is anyone who has done something similar.

This wasn't my original plan to do this, it was more of a money earner while I studied at university a number of years ago.

I studied aviation technology with pilot studies 2006-2009 whilst also gaining a PPL, so I have a bit of an understanding of aircraft and flight.
My original intention was to become a commercial pilot, however, having being offered a place at FTE I chose not to accept it initially due to my dad's health deteriorating and eventually passing away.

I have since continued to work fixing and repairing cars, which is ok, but I would really like to get back around aircraft in some form and I do feel my mechanical ability and my previous study would be of use.

I do understand about the licensing aspects, although from searching around the net, it seems the apprenticeship route is the favoured route to becoming an aircraft engineer.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and a happy new year to all.

Alan

[mech881]

I started out with my dad on HGV vehicles so it is possible. I got into aviation through a chance meeting with my previous boss. If you can get an apprenticeship I would recommend it, failing that find out the local airport to you I'm sure there will be a small airport somewhere near find the maintenance organisation and go introduce yourself it goes a lot further than sending in a cv you will start at the bottom but if your willing to learn then you'll be fine. This is my personal experience working in small general aviation I can't speak for wide body or helicopter but I hope it helps .

[batesy72]

Thanks for your reply.

I failed to mention my age, whether that would hinder me? I've just turned 28 so not the youngest of people.

[mech881]

I'm 26, started at 19, but in don't think there's any reason why you can't make the change over there is a shortage of engineers, everywhere I've worked has struggled to find good engineers. Like I said go round local companies introduce yourself, send out cv's it's worth a chance. good luck

[woptb]

Try BAE systems,they have taken on guys with non aviation background,but with transferrable tech skills.Hopefully your aviation studies might give you an edge. Not sure if they are recruiting though ?

[Gazza88]

Also keep an eye on the Monarch Aircraft Engineering website. They took on adult trainees last year and with the lack of man power at the moment could possibly take more on this year.

Basically guys like you that have worked in other engineering trades and want to retrain as aircraft engineers complete a two year course and at the end are qualified aircraft mechanics. You would have to study in your own time for a licence but at least it's a way into the industry with a decent company

[Anne Orditter]

Certainly not too old if you want to get into general aviation, two of our best engineers came in about that age, one had worked on heavy vehicles, and the other had done a (proper) mech eng apprenticeship then worked as a technician, so both had valuable hands-on experience. If you get a job and want a licence, start your Engineer's Log Book and distance learning as soon as possible, at least you can do it by passing and keeping modules these days. Good luck.

[TURIN]

BA are continually looking for mechanics with a good technical background. They have hangars at LHR, LGW, GLA and CWL (Cardiff).

http://www.britishairways.com/career...obs_home.shtml

Good luck.

[HoneyBunny]

Gazza88

I'm in a similarish position as the OP. I'm older but was hoping a root as a skilled 'adult trainee' would be a way in.

I looked at Monarch but all I could see was apprenticed served and fully experienced from within the aircraft maintenance industry vacancies.

Also their recruitment portal does not give the opportunity to contact anyone by phone or email to convey batesy72's and my unorthodox situation.

Just wondered if you know or a contact or email address?

HoneyBunny

[Genghis the Engineer]

Originally Posted by batesy72

Hi guys

As the title suggests I am considering the possibility of a career change.

I am currently working as an automotive technician/mechanic and I am curious as to what your thoughts are on this as a possible change and if there is anyone who has done something similar.

This wasn't my original plan to do this, it was more of a money earner while I studied at university a number of years ago.

I studied aviation technology with pilot studies 2006-2009 whilst also gaining a PPL, so I have a bit of an understanding of aircraft and flight.
My original intention was to become a commercial pilot, however, having being offered a place at FTE I chose not to accept it initially due to my dad's health deteriorating and eventually passing away.

I have since continued to work fixing and repairing cars, which is ok, but I would really like to get back around aircraft in some form and I do feel my mechanical ability and my previous study would be of use.

I do understand about the licensing aspects, although from searching around the net, it seems the apprenticeship route is the favoured route to becoming an aircraft engineer.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and a happy new year to all.

Alan

Depends to a large extent what you mean by "engineering", but particularly as you already have a first degree (Leeds, I'd guess, from the title?), there are quite a lot of scholarships available for aerospace MSc programmes and the like. It's absolutely true that there is a shortage of well qualified engineers, both the licenced sort and the graduate sort - although it's getting into the industry at first that can be the struggle, and you can't be too qualified.

Have a look at these...

Royal Aeronautical Society | Centennial Scholarships

Aero MSc Bursary Scheme - Royal Academy of Engineering

and especially (although not only) if you happen to be of the female persuasion (although I'm guessing probably not as you signed yourself Alan)...

Funding, Scholarships, Awards - Women and girls - WISE


For what it's worth however, at 28, you're still irritatingly young, and if you chose to self fund through the modular route to CPL / fATPL through your current job (or mortgage your life for integrated!), it's entirely possible that you can also get a flying job if you want that enough.

G

[blue_ashy]

I assume you are looking at going into this from a practical point of view. There are several routes be it maintenance, manufacturing etc. The only way to find out what is out there is to make a list of all companies under each banner and search. Unfortunately the hands on aircraft stuff is quite difficult to find and even more difficult to get into. At the airlines it is very difficult to hit the right job as often they only recruit experienced people or something even rarer is they will take on very small numbers to train up themselves. The amount of airlines that base their maintenance here and also actively train up new engineers for their workforce is really extremely small compared to how many are looking to get into it.

A very good and broad option where there is a distinct shortage is manufacturing and everything around that although chances are you won't get to touch a fully functioning aircraft. Airbus take on a huge number of people every year at Broughton and Filton and if you can get on there or at any other large company it is a job for life.

Bare in mind also that the Aerospace industry is huge and not just limited to several companies like Airbus, BAE and the airlines. There are hundreds of companies who make up the supply chain and skilled labour within it is fast becoming scarce as people retire and the smaller companies aren't exactly eager to take on people from zero.

Having a degree is pretty much essential beyond apprenticeship/craft level and without specific experience it is pretty much the absolute minimum just to get you into the interview room. Anything further beyond that and you are looking at needing specialist knowledge for example attained through an MSc which fulfills the educational requirements for chartership.

If you have some experience and are willing to go in with an open mind you could very easily get a job in the engineering sector but I would certainly consider looking past the maintenance type stuff because it is an extremely small branch of engineering that is extremely difficult to get into.

[walterthesofty]

By all accounts Monarch cannot recruit mechanics/engineers for love nor money and are losing people at a rate of knots so it could be worth contacting them regarding retraining , Good luck.

[HoneyBunny]

Thanks Walter

I guess it's time for batesy72 and myself to go and knock on the door.

Just wondering why Monarch are having retention problems?

HoneyBunny

[boeing_eng]

Just wondering why Monarch are having retention problems?

Google Monarch Airlines...it won't take long to find out!

[HoneyBunny]

boeing_eng

Yes I'm aware of the recent change of ownership and financial restructuring. Out of the Monarch group I thought that MAEL might still a big player with a good rep and still relatively healthy.

HoneyBunny