I understand that an EXPERIENCED mechanic can get $40-$50k a year; as I see it, that's not the problem. The problem is, when you have to have $20k in tools to START in the business, and it only pays $8-$10 an hour [that's $16-$20k a year] to START, it's not worth making that kind of investment in tools and training to make what the guy mopping floors at McDonald's makes...and he has NO investment in tools.
So $20k in college loans [usually at some sort of subsidized interest rate] to make $60k-$75k a year, or $20k in tool debt [usually at a NON-subsidized interest rate...often on credit cards, at 18% or more a year] to make $20k...which makes more sense to YOU?
So lot of it is economics. But a lot of it is the idea of getting that business degree and never, EVER having to get dirty, greasy or sweaty [except at the YMCA], vs. trying to get the smell of diesel fuel out of your hair and your underwear every day...so you tell ME why more young people aren't becoming mechanics.
My dad and grand-dad ran a garage, and my dad simply wouldn't ALLOW me to go to work twisting wrenches. He said it was a dead-end job, and used his experience as an example. So when Dad died, I inherited a worn-out, undersized, dilapidated building full of obsolete tractor and implement parts and worn-out tools. And I tend to agree with Dad's assessment.
But it's not all the fault of the kids, either. The local IVY Tech Community College shut down their automotive trades department as of January 1, 2009. Of course, they have a newly-remodeled main campus building, with lots of newly constructed buildings for other trades...but automotive was intentionally left out of the mix. Apparently auto mechanics wear the wrong kind of stethescope around their necks, and they don't convey the "image" that nurses and accountants do.
Plus, in our society, we're told every day how mechanics, like used-car salesmen, are out to lie, cheat, and steal from us, the unwary consumers...so who in the world NOT making the income a lawyer does would invite that kind of societal scorn? Nobody in their right mind, THAT'S for sure. "As ye sew, ..." well, you know the rest of that saying.
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Today's Featured Article - Restoration Story: Fordson Major - by Anthony West. George bought his Fordson Major from a an implement sale about 18 years ago for £200.00 (UK). There is no known history regarding its origins or what service it had done, but the following work was undertaken alone to bring it up to show standard. From the engine number, it was found that this Major was produced late 1946. It was almost complete but had various parts that would definitely need replacing.
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