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I'm looking to get into the occupation of being an elevator / escalator mechanic. What are the good trade schools? Or is it better to just get in with an elevator union and learn that way? What's the starting salary and what do you top out at? Where is the majority of work? I appreciate any info you can provide. Thanks

hey rob, i would like to know as well. i had a mate from swindler
who went to the us to work but im not sure if he was allowed to be in the field. i can tell you in australia you are an electrician with an 'a' grade license( must obtain 75% or better on a external exam). back when i started (1990) you also had to do a lift course and sit a lift exam as well to get a lift ticket. unfortunately from about '95' self regulation came in and all you have to be is deemed competent by your employer so the lift ticket was scrapped. in aus the high end trades( electricians,plumbers,gasfitters etc) make a quite good living and pay generally starts around 60k+ when qualified. i would like to hear from the other lads in the us about how the unions work and ive heard that the pay is very good. ive heard that the unions are closed shops and that the lift companies hire directly from these. i may be wrong but like to know anyway.

cheers mate uppo72.

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In the US we have a 4 year apprenticeship your first year you start at 50% of mechanics rate each year you complete you get a raise after you take and pass a elevator mechanics test and the company bumps you up you will be making 100% our pay is different depending on what part of the country you live its very difficult to get into the union most halls have a very long list of people waiting on their chance and most of the locals have several people that are laid off its a very good job if you can get your foot in the door we have union companies and non union the union companies must hire from the union hall and union members cant work for a non union company all the big companies are union most states also have a few smaller independent union companies

Thanks mustang for the reply. In australia we still have a 4 year apprenticeship, but you are a electrical apprentice first, go to trade school for electrics and are qualified as an electrician first. However you still work full time as a lift mechanic. When I went thru the system, you also had to do a lift course and exam to be certified as a lift mechanic , however this has been dropped, the industry has been deregulated and its all company self accredited. When you complete your trade school you have to sit an external exam for your electrical license and this license enables any electrical work to be undertaken apart from specific areas such as a linesman etc. Thanks anyway mate for the reply.