Mechanic jobs near Victoria?
 

I'm moving out to Victoria sometime this summer and I need a job. I'm a mechanic apprentice with my hours for first year. I've worked as a heavy duty and a millwright type job for an oil company so I'm no stranger to long, hard hours. I'd like to find an automotive shop that works with diesels and mainly pickups. But realisticly any place, other than a lube shop, will do. Does anyone know of a shop? Or just some info to point me in the right direction? Anything will help please.

I dont know of a specific shop, but I could direct you to canada job bank. There is actually alot of job search type sites around that a guy can search fairly specifically for different jobs.

Try any car dealership. Honestly though, I had a tough time finding a job as a first year apprentice. Nobody's looking for someone like that. They want at least a 3rd year. And I'll tell you right now, a first year apprentice won't be working on diesels, unless it's in a truck shop like where I work. And even then, you won't be doing any engine work until 3rd year.

If there is any way for you to stick it out and get 3rd or 4th year before you move, you should. Have you got the schooling done yet? Are you sure you want to go automotive? Or would you be okay with commercial transport or heavy duty? CT mechanics make way more than automotive, but HD mechanics make a little more than CT.

Bigrig, who do you work for anyways? I might have a whole whack of questions for you yet haha. Im currently looking at getting a dump truck, and I like asking around about a few different brands of the older trucks.

I work for Joseph S. Chow Ltd, a trucking company, in the fleet maintenance department. We not only take care of our own fleet, but 2 or 3 other fleets, and countless owner/operators trucks as well. And the odd dump truck. What questions do you have for me Sheldon?

What do you know about issues with older macks, older fords, and older internationals.
The macks have mack engines 300+ or 350's. The ford has a 3406 cat (not sure if its a bmodel or not). And i think the international had a smaller cummins.

BlueOval try cruising thru http://victoria.craigslist.ca

Mack trucks are built like tanks. Don't know about the engines. That said, I hate working on them.

Fords suck. Piss poor design. The Cat will be indestructible.

International, well, I'd take one over the Ford. The Cummins is also a good motor. Lots of mechanics know their way around one.

If I were to recommend a used dump truck, I would tell you to get a late 90's Kenworth with a Cat. Easier to work on than the 3 you proposed. Something easier to work on would be a Pete.

I would love to get a late model K/W or a Pete. The only problem is, they are a pile of coin still. Im looking at old and cheap as possible to start with.

Thanks for the advice though I appreciate it coming from a guy with experience with different brands.

Here is a great truck for ya Preppy :)
http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/car/601981728.html

Thats a 4x4 even! Too bad its not a tandem, a diesel, and a tad newer :D

how about this one then?
http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/grd/559521663.html

Thats not too too bad. I was kinda hopig for a more traditional style dump and truck.

The one problem i run into is with my backhoe and the dump box. The backhoe's front loader doesnt lift like a regular loader, its not quite as high. So when the dump box gets higher, i gotta make sure my hoe can get the bucket over the box!

I've tried looking on websites and such. I was just hoping someone here might know a good shop they could point me to. I don't have any schooling but I've got tons of experience. It sure does make it hard to find a job. The shop I'm at won't let me go for second year untill at least January of next year and I don't want to stay here in Calgary any longer. Does anyone know the name of a good shop or know any phone numbers? Thanks for all the help

Without the schooling, you might as well look for something else. Because 90% of the shops out there dont want to be liable for someone who isn't licenced. Without your 2nd year it is gonna be really tough as it is, as there are so many kids coming out of school this time of year with their 2nd and looking for work.

I haven't seen anyone online who claims to be from Victoria. Even in my trade, I have had kids tell me they have TONS of experience. But that doesn't mean SFA to me, unless they have years of experience & that piece of paper.