Fitter and Turner Apprenticeship

[jazzaD1]

gday,
tomorrow i'm starting a pre apprenticeship to become an apprentice fitter and turner, i'm curious about what people think about working in the metal trades industry, and my chosen career path.
Has anyone done something similar?

[Gumnut]

Yes, I did similar.

Never regretted it, and have done many other things besides....

It's a great move if you ever harbour a secret desire to run away to sea as a marine engineer as well.

Andy

[V8Ian]

I served my apprenticeship as a fitter, it's an excellant grounding for many paths.

[Davo]

It's a very worthwhile field to get into. There will always be a need for your skills and if you find you enjoy it I'm sure you'll always have plenty of work.

It sounds like most guys these days go work for big companies, so the little machine shop is becoming endangered. That could be worth looking into one day as well.

[Killer]

I started my Fitting and Turning Apprenticeship in 1978. Since that time I have continued in the trade and have had only 3 days unemployment in that time. It is a great trade if you like working with your hands and making things. I did my time in a heavy engineering shop, and am now working for a University making research equipment for postgrad students in the mineral processing field.

Cheers, Mick.

[strangy]

I dis my trade as a Fitter/ Machinist. Then added Tool Making and a few post trade courses to it. Dont regret it one bit.

Make sure you finish it. It is a good trade with openings into other areas such as Hydraulics/ Pneaumatics (Fluid Power), Computer Controlled Machining, even a good grounding for Aircraft Maintenance Trade.
You will always have a neccessary Trade to fall back on no matter what the times bring.

cheers

[ramblingboy42]

pre-apprenticeship? whats that? you dont actually have an apprenticeship yet?

[weeds]

pre-apprenticeship? whats that? you dont actually have an apprenticeship yet?

i'm guessing you are at TAFE?, if you haven't got an apprenticeship keep your opion open

i settled for a fitter and turner apprenticeship after not being able to find a diesel fitter apprenticeship

if i had my time over i would have preferred electrical/air con

i haven't worked on the tools for 12+ years but as others have said it a good kickstart......hopefully i will not need to go back onto the tools

[Chucaro]

Work for companies that keep up with technology. Do not work for shops that would like to use you as a cheap labour or have old machinery.
Try to work with companies that implement new ideas and programable automatic systems.
If you learn well you will have top conditions and pay.

[blackbuttdisco]

I finished my 5 year apprenticeship in 1965 and did what Gumnut did, (I think I may have met him at Newcastle Tafe) ran away to sea as a marine engineer. Ended up working in power stations as an operator. Then went back to sea again. A lot of marine engineers are university trained, so anyone with the skills of a fitter and turner are respected for their talents and expertise. Comes in handy when working on Landrovers too.