Is diesel mechanic a good profession to join? Age 30.....?

Been one for longer than I care to admit great career make great money work at a fire Dept now mechanical division full pension awsume

 

So...Is that Pension supported by state tax dollars, Or is it a private company pension?

Here in Illinois,We are Getting tired of paying City/state employees bloated pensions.....I a business cant afford to pay pensions from their own profits- You shouldn't make citizens pay for those who most dont even have a pension or retirement- But Who cares right?

 

No in Canada

 

Why do you say no in Canada. I am just curious, as I have never seen anywhere at all a good mechanic couldn't work? I would expect the Alberta oilfields would be big money for mechanics, and other areas too, like north west territories, but they should be able to make good money anywhere.

 

Keep one thing in mind... it's heavy work. You will get dirty. Really dirty. Shop provides uniforms - but you'll get dirty right through to your underwear.

You should expect to spend 10 to 20 thousand on tools over the next ten years. Buy quality tools and the largest tool box you can to start with.

Your knees will hurt.
If you have some college (or get a degree at night), you can work your way into shop management before you hit 50. Your knees will not last past 50 if you stay as a mechanic.

It's rewarding work - to do a good job and see the outcome.

You have to stay trained/updated. Some shops (Dealerships) provide training. Usually private shops don't, but you can get training (seminars, etc.) on your own and on-line. If you work for a Dealership you become an "expert" in one area. If you work for a private shop (repair shop, trucking company, municipality etc.) you become a "jack of all trades, and expert in none" (but it's easier to find a job if you move around, and there's more variety if you like that).

Get the ASE certificates. Become a master mechanic.

 

If you wish to get started in that career go talk to a local john deere dealership that have scholarships and pay for your schooling and sometimes tools aswell in return for working for them for a year or 2

 

I have to disagree with the dirty part. 11 years in and its very rare I get my street clothes dirty. Trucks are squeaky clean compared to dozers and excavators.

 

Once you get certifications, you can demand more money. I know of several that rotated around the area dealerships just to get free certs then move to the next one after a year or 2.

The big money in my area is in heavy equipment Cat techs.

 

Harbor freight solves that problem

 

true, as well as Home Depot (Husky), Lowe's ( Craftsman) Grainger (Blackhawk) then the tool trucks. for quality long life tools..