A mechanic is someone who uses tools to repair and service vehicles and machinery from the usual cars, bikes and light goods vehicles to more specialised helicopters, boats, agricultural machinery and even refrigeration units.

The ultimate aim of a mechanic is to ensure that every car that leaves the garage runs smoothly and is reliable for the car owner and is also safe and legal to be on the public highway.

When training to be a mechanic you can chose to be a general mechanic, a mechanic specialised in a specific area such as electronics or a mechanic specialised in a certain industry for example the Army.

Which type of mechanic you want to be will define the courses you need to take, the employment opportunities available and your potential earnings.