Job Lot: The mechanic

By AIDAN RASSMUSSEN

Dallas Stewart is a 21-year-old mechanic who is in the final stages of his apprenticeship. He has been working for Central City car repairs for three years and earns $15 an hour.

How long does it take to become a mechanic these days?

Four years.

What sort of training do you do to become a mechanic?

These days you have to go to Unitec.

What do you do at tech?

You basically learn about motors and how cars work. That's theory and practical. Most of it's book work, and then you've got a little bit of hands-on as well. You dismantle cars, learn how to do wheel alignments and set pistons up - all sorts, just everything to do with cars. That takes you right through till you're qualified, you see. I'm on my last stage now - level three and level four you have to sit your final exam. So I'm basically qualified.

How hard is it to get an apprenticeship?

They're not actually apprenticeships these days. Level one and level two, they're your pre-trade entry to the automotive world. And then basically level three's just advancing your knowledge about what you've already learned. You do your pre-trade course and then you're off to a workshop.

Why did you become a mechanic?

Because that's what I'm good at. I just love fixing cars.

When did you decide you wanted to become a mechanic?

When I was fixing my old man's lawn-mower some years ago. That's just what I've liked doing. I've had motorbikes and pulled them all apart and fixed them up and all that. I seemed to get on well with engines and enjoyed doing it, so I thought I'd do it for a job - why not?

What does it take to become a good mechanic?

A good attitude, good with your hands and good common sense.

When you say good attitude, what do you mean?

Well, you can't just mope around with your head down - you've got to keep your head up and your shoulders back and have a good attitude towards your work. You don't want to send things out half done and all the rest of it. And you've got to be prepared to learn.

Do you enjoy your job?

Yeah, definitely.

Why?

Because I work with a great bunch of guys, good workshop, good money - and it's what I enjoy doing. I'm getting paid to do something I love. I can't really ask for more than that, can I?

What sort of people are attracted to becoming mechanics?

Definitely not people who walk around in suits and stuff. People who don't mind getting a bit dirty, are good with their hands, like tinkering with things and like getting stuck into something.

Does a mechanic ever really get the grease out from under the fingernails?

Indeed. I've got to or the missus will knock me out. A simple scrubbing brush seems to do the trick.

Can a car really run on the smell of an oily rag?

No.

What do you think the average Kiwi knows about their car?

A little bit. Most people don't have too much of a clue when it comes to their cars and how they run. They just take it to a shop and leave it there. A few quite often have an idea but most just leave it at the shop and say, 'I don't know what's going on under there [the hood]. I've never looked under there.'

What's the most common repair that you make?

Cam belts and oil filter changes.

Why's that?

Because if your cam belt breaks, your motor breaks. And oil and filter - that's just servicing, because you've got to keep clean oil in there or you'll get carboned up.

Mechanics aren't exactly the most liked people - why do you think that is?

People don't know what we do when we repair their cars. They don't know how long it takes to pull that thing off. You do - you can tell by the cuts on your hand.

Someone will be standing there, asking you why is it $400 for this - little do they know that you've worked your butt off all day to do it.

Do you have any maintenance tips for car owners?

Keep nice clean oil in there and keep the servicing up to date.