X Factor, Flop Idol, Britain’s Struggling to Show Any Talent and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Oliver have taken the nation by storm and in return, the nation has taken their winners into their hearts. Well some of them anyway.
However, what happens if you don’t have a talent that’s worth a multi-million pound record deal? Well, you strut your stuff in front of the Britain’s Got ‘Talent’ judges I suppose, but even then you either have to be an opera singer, amateur knife thrower or a man with a puppet monkey. What happens if you’re a mechanic? It would be an uphill struggle to capture the imagination of the audience, let alone the judges, while explaining that the ignition needed to be retarded.
So to fill this gap in the market, BBC Three has launched a new series called Young Talent of the Year. Dubbed ‘Chop Idol’, the show wants to celebrate our country’s young, unsung heroes whether they are a young chef, hairdresser, butcher or mechanic.
So the search has begun – if you know of a young (16-25 apparently) mechanic that you feel deserves some recognition then get in touch with the BBC by emailing youngtalent@bbc.co.uk and asking for an entry form or by posting a SAE to the Casting Team, BBC TVC, Room 3136, Wood Lane, London, W12 7RJ. Alternatively you can call 03700 101 616 (calls cost no more than calls to 01/02 geographic numbers although calls from mobiles may vary). Closing date is March 15.
It’s about time mechanics were given some recognition of their tireless work, whether it be in the pits or the garage.
Do garages have mechanics these days? Where I go, they are referred to as diagnostic technicians. If the diagnostic machine says the car is OK, the car is OK.
Where are all the bright young mechanics?
I went for an interview to be a mechanic at Lotus many decades ago. I was told, within minutes of handling a spanner, that i would not progress to being a mechanic on the Grand Prix team.
Shame, because I was good at staying up all night.
RW
I am a Master Technician in a big dealership, i would like to let everyone know that the computer does not tell you whether the car is ok or fix it, it is simply a tool used to guide you in the right direction & assist in the diagnostic of a fault. There are occasions where it cannot recognise any faults so A lot of mechanical Knowledge & skills are still required to fix a modern vehicle. Its about time people in the motor trade were recognised!! MN
Well, Michael, I apologise if my comment caused offence. It was not intended. Perhaps my experiences are based on my little Renault Modus which may not present a very exciting challenge. I simply remember, being an older person, the days when mechanics had a poke around and a bit of a chat about what might be right, or wrong! But then, in those days, I had a Mini Cooper ‘S’ (the real one) so it was a touch more interesting……..
Thanks for your comments anyway!
RW
Realy enjoyed your answers to the Q. Mechanics of today have to multi task, they have to be part diagnostic part hand on mechanic, the day a machine can take my place after being a mechanic for 50 years, i will retire, and thats never. great website totally professional for all motor sport fans like me
very best of luck for the future
Bernie Fineman
Bernie, You forgot also about doctoring test reports to demonstrate test results for products you have been paid to test. I think the IMI would agree.
BLM
Is the bbc running ‘Young Mechanic of the year 2010′? I watched the 2009 series. I really want to compete.
Will
ive been in the dark about “young mechanic of the year” and was wondering if there is a series running in 2011? If so how do i apply or would i be over qualified?
Anthony Pickering AMIMI, ATA Master Technician.