Tips on how to find an apprenticeship?

[mamzak]

I just finished year two at University of Alberta, and then was working as a summer student from May-August as a shop labourer for a major heavy equipment/construction/mining company. I LOVED being around all the big machines and helping the mechanics out. Long story short, the plan was to go into mechanics after I finished university, but I've decided to not go through with that and start with mechanics now. However, I am finding it impossible to find an apprenticeship. No one wants first years, everyone wants 3rd and 4th years.

Anyone recently gone through the process of finding an apprentice? Any tips?

[Rodoni]

Finish school. You have your whole life to work

[Massive Lee]

^^^What he says.

Keep on studying. Stay home with mom and dad. Enjoy easy life.

[mamzak]

The plan was to get a business degree, major in entrepreneurship, then get my mechanics certificate, and then branch out into some form of ownership or management in a shop....which I can still do without a business degree. And if I really want to go back and finish my degree I can, it's not a big deal.

[e30e]

Finish your degree, my brother went through the Think Big program with Caterpillar, his dealership requires an associates degree or a lot military experience.

[xphiledan]

finish your degree now. trust me... once you start working, it's very difficult to go back to school especially when you start getting more responsibilities. you want to keep up the momentum of schooling now while you're young. besides, with the economy the way it is, there are no jobs now. you might as well wait out the bad job market while finishing up school.

[Hellabad]

finish your degree now. trust me... once you start working, it's very difficult to go back to school especially when you start getting more responsibilities. you want to keep up the momentum of schooling now while you're young. besides, with the economy the way it is, there are no jobs now. you might as well wait out the bad job market while finishing up school.

This ^^^^ is what you should do.

[Kershaw]

Finish your degree, my brother went through the Think Big program with Caterpillar, his dealership requires an associates degree or a lot military experience.

why does a catepillar salesman need military experience?

[grantlacey11]

stay in school. coming from a recent graduate this past june. stay. in. school.

[mamzak]

Thanks for the life advice, but that's not really what I was looking for. I don't understand why mechanics get such a bad rep? I would still be in school...just a different type of school, and one that appeals to me. I would MUCH rather be underneath a huge D9 CAT or something than sitting in a board room going over financial statements. I thought out of any "community" you fellow R3Vers would get that.


Anyone with some relevant advice?

[Holland]

Thanks for the life advice, but that's not really what I was looking for. I don't understand why mechanics get such a bad rep? I would still be in school...just a different type of school, and one that appeals to me. I would MUCH rather be underneath a huge D9 CAT or something than sitting in a board room going over financial statements. I thought out of any "community" you fellow R3Vers would get that.


Anyone with some relevant advice?

What advice do you need? You obviously already made your decision.

[mamzak]

What advice do you need? You obviously already made your decision.

I need advice on how to find an apprenticeship, not whether or not I should do it. I have applied to about 30 different places with no luck. Everyone wants a third or fourth year. Is there anything else I can do to make myself more appealing to employers? or??

[Adrian_Visser]

Isn't there a pre-apprenticeship for heavy duty mechanics? It's a start at least. Did the oil patch slow down that much they used to be screaming for heavy duties up there.

Honestly I think after a few years of wrestling Caterpillars in the mud you might get tired of it. I've met a few heavy duty mechanics and they don't all love their jobs that much.

[mamzak]

I think there is, but it's in Grand Prarie...and I would rather stay in Edmonton to at least start an apprenticeship before I consider the move even further north.

I think there's a mix of people. The ones that hate their jobs I don't think went into mechanics for the right reasons. The ones that do, love their jobs....as is the case anywhere.

[e30e]

why does a catepillar salesman need military experience?

I was talking along of the world of mechanics like a shop foremen or store manager, knowing mechanics doesn't mean shit for being a salesmen. When I sold cars it didn't do a lick of good, when I interned with the Caterpillar salesmen they had a ton of technical knowledge or just always dialed up someone who did.

Equipment anything right now even if Canada has a solid timber, mining, and oil industry does not mean they want anything to do with a rookie.