today i was offerd an apprentiship as an 'Automotive Parts Interpreter" for a company. is there anybody on this site or know of anyone who is in this line of work?? and what exaclty does it invole? is it basiccaly like working on the front counter of Repco or Sprints etc?? and do you enjoy it? i have no idea as i applied for an apprentiship as a vehilce painter n this is what they offerd me instead what i am basically asking is it a god job to take on? and will it lead me places in the future?
cheers for any future info or help

Hi Scott If your after an apprentiship then keep looking Even though this may be a good job it sounds like its not what you want Parts Interpreters usually are learn as you go a knowledge of the parts you are selling helps but most guys learn frm there customers with some help from the experienced guys I have worked in differnt places from Caravans to Motorcyces and usually played by ear till I learnt the ropes While there is room for advancement it depends on what you want to do There is the chance of becoming a purchase officer Depending on the company and how big they are But yes you would probably be behind the counter So if thats what you want go for it But I would lean more toward the apprentiship Hope this helps Cheers Brad

It's better than unemployment..but not a shining future.. it may be a careerpath into sales?

If you are in a small town..may be the ticket to get out..and certainly better than nothing.

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small town Adelaide yee ha! cue the banjo's and do bog laps down the main street.

wait a minute, I'm from there.

As an apprentice you will earn #### pay for a few years
Then you can go off and earn good money on your own

As a parts interpreter you will earn #### money always, have to work long hours inc weekends and public holidays if you work for one of those 7 day stores
But at least you'll buy all the auto parts you could ever need at the right price
You'll learn who can supply what and at what price
Then one day you might be manager (like me) and get to do sorta what you want to a point. Then you can open your own auto parts store.

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Jeez Neil, you had better hope your boss isn't reading this!!

and u can sell us parts at cost price!

Hi mate, I did spare parts for 18 odd years.
I started when I was 18 as a delivery driver.
I worked for a good boss and I like to think I was a good worker and tried very hard to learn the trade.
Over the years I was a driver,parts interpreter,senior intrepreter,2IC and then got to be a manger for the biggest kunt in Qld. I dont want to sound up my self but when I applied for other jobs I got them and every new dealership I worked for gave me experience on new makes. I also did a stint at an insurance company.
I did enjoy the job but after leaving the industry about three years ago I am now doing a mature apprenticeship as carpenter and earning twice what I was getting as a parts manager.
If you take this job and put in the effort to learn the trade it can be a good steady job and you will never be out of work.
You will also learn many different things from warehousing,phone manner,all the good and bad about people and also have a good laugh at what people get up to in the trade,there will be times when your attitude and ability will keep or lose a customer and you will also learn that the customer is always right and that his purchase pays your wage (it can be a balancing act).
If you stay in the job you will learn about doing budgets,stock orders and having the right parts on the shelf and when you have spent to much of the bosses money he will tear you you a new bum.
I enjoyed my time, I made good friends and some good money and the freebies were icing on the cake.
may I suggest take the job and see how you like it but keep looking for the apprenticship you want at the moment they are throwing these things around .
cheers ade

thanks to everyone who replied. but luckily i do not have to make a decision just yet, the bloke that rang me was meant to ring back after school yesterday...but he never rang. he didnt leave a contact number either which sucks. but he did mention that if i was to accept the offfer i would be working at Toyota. i would have probably accepted the offer in the first place, except that i would have to leave school and not complete year 12 to do it, so thats what troubled me.. and didnt wanna quit school to find i really dont like the work. i will keep my eyes open tho. but for anyone looking to take on an apprentice in mechanics or vehicle painiting, im keen as!!
thanks everyone...scott

dont drop out of school man, even for an apprenticeship you want to do.