How to Turn your Passion for Cars into a Career

Cars are important machines for modern society, but to some people, they are moving wonders that hold compelling mysteries waiting to be solved. If you are someone who has a strong passion for cars, you may be wondering how to turn your passion for cars into a career. Mechanics are very valuable professionals, and signs point to plenty of growth in the field. The Australian government says that the occupation is a very large one, and that the amount of jobs available for mechanics should be more than average.

Becoming a mechanic is one of the easiest ways to get to work on a daily basis with the machines that you love, but there are some things that you should know as you set down the path of becoming a mechanic and think about how to turn your passion for cars into a career.

What Does it Take to Become a Mechanic?
Auto mechanics are professionals who are responsible for repairing, maintaining, and testing the engines, transmissions, and other systems found on vehicles. Some types of mechanics may specialise in a particular kind of vehicle. For example, if you are passionate about classic cars, you might decide to focus your education on learning how to work on these types of vehicles.

In order to be a successful mechanic, you should be:

• Good at working with your hands and willing to use them very often during your workday. Mechanics are constantly taking things apart and putting them back together using their hands
• Physically fit. Mechanics often have to lift, push, or pull the parts that they use for their work. Depending on the specific type of mechanic work that you do, you also may have to move around a lot as you walk from car to car or move to work on different parts of a vehicle
• A problem solver. Many of the best mechanics view the vehicles they work on as nothing more than just a large puzzle that needs to be solved. If you approach this task with energy and curiosity, there is a good chance you will become a successful mechanic
• Happy dealing with other people. Although mechanics aren’t always the ones who handle customer service, a well-rounded mechanic can concisely communicate automotive problems to customers who may not have any training or knowledge of automotive components whatsoever

How to Become a Mechanic
The first step in understanding how to turn your passion for cars into a career is learning the requirements for becoming a mechanic in Australia. These requirements vary depending on the state that you live in. In Victoria, for example, there is no licence requirement for becoming an auto mechanic. On the other hand, those who live in New South Wales will have to meet the requirements for licensure as a Motor Vehicle Repairer.

In order to become a vehicle mechanic in Australia, you also have to go through an apprenticeship. Apprenticeships vary in length, but most of the time they last between 42 and 48 months. During your apprenticeship, you learn the hands-on skills that are necessary to become a mechanic by working directly with mechanics already repairing motor vehicles.

If you are in school, you may be able to access apprenticeship programs through your university or higher education institution. Talk to faculty members and advisors at your program.