Where are the AME apprentices?
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AME Apprentice seeking employment
HI
My name is PJ McCarthy. I am currently living in South Africa. I have just completed my first year in Aircraft maintenence at Denel Training Academy in South Africa. I have so much touble finding employment for my next two or three years of practical training and im willing to do anything. Im a white 20 year old male.
I was shocked to find that most companies that I approuched with my CV have not even responded, even just to tell me that there is no vacansies available. This is not just in South Africa but in places like Australia, New zealand and Canada aswell.
If any one could give me some insight as to where would be a desent place to look I would appreciate it.
PJ
My name is PJ McCarthy. I am currently living in South Africa. I have just completed my first year in Aircraft maintenence at Denel Training Academy in South Africa. I have so much touble finding employment for my next two or three years of practical training and im willing to do anything. Im a white 20 year old male.
I was shocked to find that most companies that I approuched with my CV have not even responded, even just to tell me that there is no vacansies available. This is not just in South Africa but in places like Australia, New zealand and Canada aswell.
If any one could give me some insight as to where would be a desent place to look I would appreciate it.
PJ
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older apprentice
I just finished my TB1aircraft maintenance course 1st 16 subjects at TAFE Broadmeadows (Aviation Australia). Paid for the course with my own money plus borrowed a bit to survive a 9 month study course without regular income. Was keen to apply for the Qantas apprenticeships and accordingly did so in September. I had high hopes and with a determined mindset I applied myself for this outcome only to find out that I now can't be accepted because I am a New Zealander. Here at TAFE they didn't realise and wished they knew before hand! Won't bother elaborating on the rest of this saga but to make a long story short, we were briefed before the course started so thought I had all me ducks in a row, 90% change of employement in the industry, to me worth the risk and to launch my midlife career change (I am 50). Now i sit here high and dry, but i am not going to give up on this dream of mine. Don't get too much help from the establishment here other than ensuring you pay your course fees obviously. I will try to get into the GA industry, something I actually love more anyway. I am in Victoria. Anyone who has a lead, I'll be overjoyed hearing from you. I know this industry is word to mouth
Thread Starter
Avionics Apprenticeship
Looks like I have an avionics apprenticeship available, rural Queensland, 1st or 2nd year, prefer majority or all college completed.
PM for details.
PM for details.
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Apprenticeships
Hi Mike,
It is not easy to be at witts end as far as finding an apprenticeship or candidates therefore. i have just finished a full time Aviation Australia course at TAFE Broadmeadows and thus am keen to het into an apprenticeship. mind you, I am of the mature league ie 51 years of age.
i have been for many years in manufacturing but also privately involved with aviation I(PPL). how difficult are things going to be you reckon?
Am keen to get leads, for the record I am in Melbourne but moving not an issue.
Many thanks,
Hans
It is not easy to be at witts end as far as finding an apprenticeship or candidates therefore. i have just finished a full time Aviation Australia course at TAFE Broadmeadows and thus am keen to het into an apprenticeship. mind you, I am of the mature league ie 51 years of age.
i have been for many years in manufacturing but also privately involved with aviation I(PPL). how difficult are things going to be you reckon?
Am keen to get leads, for the record I am in Melbourne but moving not an issue.
Many thanks,
Hans
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aeromechanic
Hi there,
This was good reading and I hope I will come accross with a person like you in the business. I am a muture student (51) and just completed the first full time year training at TAFE Broadmeadows (Aviation Australia).
it appears that many potential (young) apprentices leave their training as a result of a multitude of reasons, money, motivational issues, poorly treated, not given enough training and what have you. i have been at mid management level in the manufacturing industry for some 20 years and with some employers in this business, it is the same story. my last employer was the worst ever and i decided to try for a midlife career change. perhaps i should be glad that their poor conduct finally spurred me on the make the long and well over due change as i have been an aviation devotee since I can remember.
It is a week since my course finished for the year and find myself sort of in 'no mans land' and will have to do casual work as if i were an early 20's uni student, with which I have no probs with by the way. but where from here? Are there employers in GA on the look out for mature apprenticeships? Can anyone provide me with leads and general advise?
I knew it wouldn't be easy, but such is life, very few things come easy.
What one desires the most is always hardest to get unless you were so lucky to be off spring of Richard Branson, the Packer family or rather.
I am very keen, have been around in life and am not easily deterred from my goals.
keen to hear anything from anybody.
cheers,
Hans
This was good reading and I hope I will come accross with a person like you in the business. I am a muture student (51) and just completed the first full time year training at TAFE Broadmeadows (Aviation Australia).
it appears that many potential (young) apprentices leave their training as a result of a multitude of reasons, money, motivational issues, poorly treated, not given enough training and what have you. i have been at mid management level in the manufacturing industry for some 20 years and with some employers in this business, it is the same story. my last employer was the worst ever and i decided to try for a midlife career change. perhaps i should be glad that their poor conduct finally spurred me on the make the long and well over due change as i have been an aviation devotee since I can remember.
It is a week since my course finished for the year and find myself sort of in 'no mans land' and will have to do casual work as if i were an early 20's uni student, with which I have no probs with by the way. but where from here? Are there employers in GA on the look out for mature apprenticeships? Can anyone provide me with leads and general advise?
I knew it wouldn't be easy, but such is life, very few things come easy.
What one desires the most is always hardest to get unless you were so lucky to be off spring of Richard Branson, the Packer family or rather.
I am very keen, have been around in life and am not easily deterred from my goals.
keen to hear anything from anybody.
cheers,
Hans
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Hans,
Have a good read of this topic. There has been plenty of mention, and the relevant links posted on governmental assistance available to prospective employers.
Arm yourself with this info. If I was you, apart from posting here looking for a job, I'd go cold calling. You really need to sell yourself.
Some attributes I'd consider working a speil on (in no particular order)
Government assistance available to the employer.
Your Maturity, and how it relates to your dedication level to your work and goal (qualification)
Your manufacturing history, and how it relates on the floor.
Have in mind as to which area of Maintenance you want to work in. No good walking into an airframe shop if you want to do avionics.........
I originally left school into an AME apprenticeship. The job wasn't advertised, and nor did it exist. I cold called. The job I eventually got, the initial response I got was that he was not interested in another apprentice, as the one before me gave him a bad experience. I told him, I wasn't that guy and he should reconsider.
I turned up exactly a week later, and asked him if he had reconsidered. He said no, but he'd think about it. So I went back the next week
I pestered him weekly until he decided on a formal interview. I believe I was the last apprentice he ever hired.
I have found this particular area of the industry is very tough to break into...you need to be johnny on the spot when a job comes up, or like pilots in the face of perspective employers.
Good luck
Jas
Have a good read of this topic. There has been plenty of mention, and the relevant links posted on governmental assistance available to prospective employers.
Arm yourself with this info. If I was you, apart from posting here looking for a job, I'd go cold calling. You really need to sell yourself.
Some attributes I'd consider working a speil on (in no particular order)
Government assistance available to the employer.
Your Maturity, and how it relates to your dedication level to your work and goal (qualification)
Your manufacturing history, and how it relates on the floor.
Have in mind as to which area of Maintenance you want to work in. No good walking into an airframe shop if you want to do avionics.........
I originally left school into an AME apprenticeship. The job wasn't advertised, and nor did it exist. I cold called. The job I eventually got, the initial response I got was that he was not interested in another apprentice, as the one before me gave him a bad experience. I told him, I wasn't that guy and he should reconsider.
I turned up exactly a week later, and asked him if he had reconsidered. He said no, but he'd think about it. So I went back the next week
I pestered him weekly until he decided on a formal interview. I believe I was the last apprentice he ever hired.I have found this particular area of the industry is very tough to break into...you need to be johnny on the spot when a job comes up, or like pilots in the face of perspective employers.
Good luck
Jas
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Hi guys,
I just finished my apprenticeship about 8 months ago,
Here are a few things i picked up along the way that might be useful too you.
1. the pay is rubbish, i cant see how a school leaver would choose $200 odd a week over a job in the mines,
2. Apprentices that excel arnt given the respect they deserve in the early years of there apprenticeship.
3. There are A LOT! of dumb
kids who get picked up for apprenticeships, brains are one thing, but basic common sense and a keen attitude are all you need to get through trade school yet i see so many students fail tafe so often, 3 or 4 times on the same module even.
I know in a skill shortage you cant pick and choose who you can hire, but there needs to be some interest in kids these days.
I saw it mentioned earlier in some of the posts, but ive seen some of the brighest kids get jobs in GA but end up working for the biggestholes and leave because they get sick of being ripped off and having so much responsibility lumped on them.
And as for the wage dispute, apprentice wages across australia are calculated as a % of the tradesman wages. Most other trades have that a lot higher because in aviation an AME is a tradesman but you wont get a decent wage till you get LAME status.
putting that in perspective, a 2nd year gardener got more a week then me as a 3rd year avionics apprentice.
I just finished my apprenticeship about 8 months ago,
Here are a few things i picked up along the way that might be useful too you.
1. the pay is rubbish, i cant see how a school leaver would choose $200 odd a week over a job in the mines,
2. Apprentices that excel arnt given the respect they deserve in the early years of there apprenticeship.
3. There are A LOT! of dumb
kids who get picked up for apprenticeships, brains are one thing, but basic common sense and a keen attitude are all you need to get through trade school yet i see so many students fail tafe so often, 3 or 4 times on the same module even.I know in a skill shortage you cant pick and choose who you can hire, but there needs to be some interest in kids these days.
I saw it mentioned earlier in some of the posts, but ive seen some of the brighest kids get jobs in GA but end up working for the biggest
holes and leave because they get sick of being ripped off and having so much responsibility lumped on them.And as for the wage dispute, apprentice wages across australia are calculated as a % of the tradesman wages. Most other trades have that a lot higher because in aviation an AME is a tradesman but you wont get a decent wage till you get LAME status.
putting that in perspective, a 2nd year gardener got more a week then me as a 3rd year avionics apprentice.
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Out of interest, I was just perusing the FWA site for the AME's award.
As usual, you gotta have a degree in stupidity to be able to locate info there.
Anyone know the correct award code/title?
Jas
As usual, you gotta have a degree in stupidity to be able to locate info there.
Anyone know the correct award code/title?
Jas
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putting that in perspective, a 2nd year gardener got more a week then me as a 3rd year avionics apprentice.
It's generational thing. And I'm not having a crack at gen y, it's my generation and the generation before me that set you up for this fall. Apprenticeships lead to other career choices, apprenticeships teach critical, practical thinking that will lead to even more career choices. They also teach you how to manage money, a skill that is sadly lacking in the current generation. Once again, not having a crack but Mummy and Daddy have set you up by giving you everything you ever asked for.
Money management: The boys that used to come into town for TAFE from Bourke and Bre used to give blood on the Thursday to get a hotdog and milkshake. They'd go hungry on Friday and make it home on Saturday for a feed.
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I am your man
I am 21 years old currently living in Antarctica and I am really wanting to do a apprenticeship only problem is living in Antarctica 5 months of the year makes it impossible to get hired. I currently have a CPL and multi engine instument rating, I do not want to go to the airlines and would prefer GA if any one is interested please private mail me.
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Desperate for a apprenticeship
If anyone is looking for a apprentice mechanical or structures please contact me. I have done all the theory subjects for structures and only require 3 or 4 extra subjects to be a mechanic. I am based in brisbane but am willing to relocate for the right employer. I applied for the qantas engineering apprenticeship 2012 program and I was in the last 7 out of 1500 applications but they only had 2 positions to fill.
contact me @ [email protected]
contact me @ [email protected]
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Where are the apprentices?
G'day Torres,
I am emailing you because of the "Title" of my e-mail. are you still looking for an apprentice? let me know and I will let you know of a person who is currently looking within Brisbane. I finished cert IV with him, but there were no jobs since 2010 so, I went back to studies and he is still hunting for an apprenticeship position.
Cheers!
Where are the AME apprentices?
It appears less and less apprentices are attracted to AME trades, which must create an even greater skilled labour crisis in GA aircraft maintenance in the future.
I have a vacancy for a 2nd, 3rd or 4th year apprentice, age no barrier, in Central Queensland and no applicants. Zip, zilch, no interest at all.
Most trades are experiencing critical skills shortages, but if there are dimminishing numbers of apprentices entering aeroskills trades it will be impossible to keep Australia's aging aircraft flying in the future.
I am emailing you because of the "Title" of my e-mail. are you still looking for an apprentice? let me know and I will let you know of a person who is currently looking within Brisbane. I finished cert IV with him, but there were no jobs since 2010 so, I went back to studies and he is still hunting for an apprenticeship position.
Cheers!
Where are the AME apprentices?
It appears less and less apprentices are attracted to AME trades, which must create an even greater skilled labour crisis in GA aircraft maintenance in the future.
I have a vacancy for a 2nd, 3rd or 4th year apprentice, age no barrier, in Central Queensland and no applicants. Zip, zilch, no interest at all.
Most trades are experiencing critical skills shortages, but if there are dimminishing numbers of apprentices entering aeroskills trades it will be impossible to keep Australia's aging aircraft flying in the future.
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2nd Year Apprentice
Hi all, I am a 2nd year AME apprentice currently employed in Melbourne, however due to unforeseen personal reasons, I am looking to relocate to Qld (Gold coast, Brisbane area) permanently. I am finding it very difficult to find a job and have been going up and knocking on doors every month for the past year. Alot of the employers were extremely impressed with my resume and experience, but however were simply not looking for an apprentice, but to keep in contact. I have been in contact with the majority of these companies weekly, however still do not have a lead. I understand it is hard to move around in this industry and wouldn't even be thinking about it if circumstances were different.
If anyone knows of any companies looking to hire an apprentice, please let me know!
-Jake
If anyone knows of any companies looking to hire an apprentice, please let me know!
-Jake
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Hi everybody on the subject I'm a 18 nearly 19 year old i have been applying for close to a thousand apprenticeship positions within aviation and still jobless i found that most employers want lame qualified apprentices as in 75% and above passes for there theory i have attended aviation Australia cairns and did my cert 4 with some license passes and some not i don't think its a case of apprentices not being interested but employers not giving enough opportunities for them to grasp my dad has been a licensed aircraft engineer for the last 28 plus years and he has always been my inspiration to follow in his footsteps, i've been around aircraft since a young age and absolutely love it
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Hi All,
Firstly I have been looking at AME apprenticeship pathways for a while now and I have found more information on this thread than anywhere else, including apprenticeship centres and the very limited network in the industry I have (mostly pilots however, which arent very usefull). So for that, Kudos!
This thread has answered a stack of questions, mostly relieveing me of my worries that there are no Apprenticeships out there. Obviously there is and I am looking in the wrong places. However It has raised other questions/issues.
I am a 23 y.o, currently in the Army, based in Darwin but from SA, where, for service reasons my Partner and 3 y.o son reside. Basically I'd give my left nut to get into the industry, with a career in mind. I'd love to end up a LAME (mech) on Helicopters. Thats my passion. I worked for a SA based company operating R44s and a 206B before enlistment where I gained some insite into the industry. I worked on the helicopters as a hangar monkey pretty much and was crew for tourism operations. Nothing special but enough to know its what I wanted to do.
Im already dribbling on so Ill cut to the chase,
1) Many posts are encouraging individuals to steer away from the game all toghether. Is the pay (once qualified) that bad? Has the new legislation/laws surrounding licensing screwed this up that much? I understand many negative posts will be from bad experiences and the "grass is always greener" syndrome, however there is a few like this...
2) Where do I start looking? I have already started abit of networking as I said however who are the best people to cold canvass to? (when I start that)
3) What can I do, off my own back, to make myself more attractive to a potential employer for an apprenticeship? Who would offer work experience?
4) I see many are studying themselves for the theroy component side of things. (Aviation Australia etc.) Is this a MUST to obtain an apprenticeship in this game? or is it common for it to be incorporated into the apprenticeship? Finances are an issue in my case so this is a bit of a concern
5) How different is the path way to rotary wing as it is fixed? Im 100% keen on Helos.
I think thats it for now! Im not trying to find a job here, thats borderline lazy, but network and get information. So ANY advice you guys have, especially the big guns (for want of better term) would be great.
I totally agree with all your observations on my generation. Everyones always chasing the greener grass without putting in the hard yards where they are. I work with some real idiots, but also some very hard working individuals. (Id love to say most of the oppertunities go to the latter, however in my game that Isnt the case alot of the time) Finding work around the hangar when your boss is busy or working late off your own back is a concept many dont understand. How would I best show that Im different? My family would move anywhere in Australia or NZ to follow any opportunity. ( Im a lucky man in that respect)
Some have already posted very valuble information, dont worry I have read back and seen it, so thanks. Know your all busy but anything specific to those questions would be Wunderbare!
Firstly I have been looking at AME apprenticeship pathways for a while now and I have found more information on this thread than anywhere else, including apprenticeship centres and the very limited network in the industry I have (mostly pilots however, which arent very usefull). So for that, Kudos!
This thread has answered a stack of questions, mostly relieveing me of my worries that there are no Apprenticeships out there. Obviously there is and I am looking in the wrong places. However It has raised other questions/issues.
I am a 23 y.o, currently in the Army, based in Darwin but from SA, where, for service reasons my Partner and 3 y.o son reside. Basically I'd give my left nut to get into the industry, with a career in mind. I'd love to end up a LAME (mech) on Helicopters. Thats my passion. I worked for a SA based company operating R44s and a 206B before enlistment where I gained some insite into the industry. I worked on the helicopters as a hangar monkey pretty much and was crew for tourism operations. Nothing special but enough to know its what I wanted to do.
Im already dribbling on so Ill cut to the chase,
1) Many posts are encouraging individuals to steer away from the game all toghether. Is the pay (once qualified) that bad? Has the new legislation/laws surrounding licensing screwed this up that much? I understand many negative posts will be from bad experiences and the "grass is always greener" syndrome, however there is a few like this...
2) Where do I start looking? I have already started abit of networking as I said however who are the best people to cold canvass to? (when I start that)
3) What can I do, off my own back, to make myself more attractive to a potential employer for an apprenticeship? Who would offer work experience?
4) I see many are studying themselves for the theroy component side of things. (Aviation Australia etc.) Is this a MUST to obtain an apprenticeship in this game? or is it common for it to be incorporated into the apprenticeship? Finances are an issue in my case so this is a bit of a concern
5) How different is the path way to rotary wing as it is fixed? Im 100% keen on Helos.
I think thats it for now! Im not trying to find a job here, thats borderline lazy, but network and get information. So ANY advice you guys have, especially the big guns (for want of better term) would be great.
I totally agree with all your observations on my generation. Everyones always chasing the greener grass without putting in the hard yards where they are. I work with some real idiots, but also some very hard working individuals. (Id love to say most of the oppertunities go to the latter, however in my game that Isnt the case alot of the time) Finding work around the hangar when your boss is busy or working late off your own back is a concept many dont understand. How would I best show that Im different? My family would move anywhere in Australia or NZ to follow any opportunity. ( Im a lucky man in that respect
)Some have already posted very valuble information, dont worry I have read back and seen it, so thanks. Know your all busy but anything specific to those questions would be Wunderbare!
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Doug,
at 23 years old you are very hard to employ as an apprentice. 95% of prospective employers will shy away from you simply based on your age, and the life experiences that have set you in your ways. That is not to say you can't be taught, but its a common held viewpoint on civvy street.
There are 2 types of employer of apprentices.
Type 1 see's a first year as cheap labour...teaching them is optional.
Type 2, see's an apprentice as a potential asset who won't make them any money until late in their 2nd year, but makes the investment.
At your age, only a type 2 employer would consider employing you, and they are few and far between, across ALL industries.
My advice to you, is to stay in the army and apply to learn the trade there. It won't do you any harm, because you will receive the best training available.
If the army won't train you, think about an interservice transfer to take up what you want to do.
I looked at it years ago, during the recession we had to have....join the army as a grunt and then apply for other stuff once in. You are in...use it wisely chum.
Cheers
Jas
ps..goodluck
at 23 years old you are very hard to employ as an apprentice. 95% of prospective employers will shy away from you simply based on your age, and the life experiences that have set you in your ways. That is not to say you can't be taught, but its a common held viewpoint on civvy street.
There are 2 types of employer of apprentices.
Type 1 see's a first year as cheap labour...teaching them is optional.
Type 2, see's an apprentice as a potential asset who won't make them any money until late in their 2nd year, but makes the investment.
At your age, only a type 2 employer would consider employing you, and they are few and far between, across ALL industries.
My advice to you, is to stay in the army and apply to learn the trade there. It won't do you any harm, because you will receive the best training available.
If the army won't train you, think about an interservice transfer to take up what you want to do.
I looked at it years ago, during the recession we had to have....join the army as a grunt and then apply for other stuff once in. You are in...use it wisely chum.
Cheers
Jas
ps..goodluck
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Hey jas, wouldn't a first or second year apprentice pay their way from the getgo?
I thought in GA that anyone employed in the outfit as a mech logged 8 hrs a day and it was all charged out at the same rate.
What am I missing here
I thought in GA that anyone employed in the outfit as a mech logged 8 hrs a day and it was all charged out at the same rate.
What am I missing here
Last edited by CHAIRMAN; 28th Jan 2013 at 14:46.
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Chairman... Unfortunately not. Logging 8 hours a day does not mean those 8 hours were productive or even chargeable. Say it takes you 8 hours to service 3 wheels and the brakes on a C152 (surprisingly, many engineers can take that long!) and 1 hour for an experienced engineer to instruct and supervise you then the shop will most likely only charge out 2 of those hours because they don't want the bill to exceed the value of the aircraft and want to keep a customer.
You must always keep in mind there's a customer paying for the work you do. It's not the boss or the shop paying you, they merely hold the customers money for a week before passing it on to you. I tell my guy's to imagine if they were the customer, what would they expect...
You must always keep in mind there's a customer paying for the work you do. It's not the boss or the shop paying you, they merely hold the customers money for a week before passing it on to you. I tell my guy's to imagine if they were the customer, what would they expect...
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Jaz and Blackhand,
Thanks for the advice, albeit frank and probably not what I was after. However the honesty is refreshing. It can never hurt to look whilst I am in though and I will continue to do so untill something comes up. Transferrs are hard to come by in this changing army, particulary to RAEME but Ill give it a go.
Thanks for the advice, albeit frank and probably not what I was after. However the honesty is refreshing. It can never hurt to look whilst I am in though and I will continue to do so untill something comes up. Transferrs are hard to come by in this changing army, particulary to RAEME but Ill give it a go.