CYCLE MAINTENANCE APPRENTICESHIP

Our Apprenticeship in Bicycle Mechanics is a work-based training programme for bike mechanics designed around the needs of the cycle trade that lead to nationally recognised qualifications (such as Cytech accreditation).

This apprenticeship is the only training scheme available that includes Cytech certification as part of the programme. On completion, the apprentice becomes a fully trained, professional master technician in bicycle mechanics.

Fully approved by The Institute for Apprenticeships & Technical Education and supported by the Association of Cycle Traders (ACT), this 18 month, intermediate, Level 2 apprenticeship standard (ST0622) replaced the old framework in August 2020.

A cycle mechanics trailblazer group, consisting of 13 employers from the cycle industry came together to create this new apprenticeship. It has very much been developed by the cycle trade for the cycle trade.

As a long-standing provider of cycle maintenance apprenticeships and with our long history of delivering Cytech training to the cycle trade, we were a driving force behind the trailblazer group and we were very keen to ensure that the standard of our training delivery continues to be the pinnacle of excellence.

INTERMEDIATE (LEVEL 2)

(18 months)

This popular apprenticeship programme is recommended for those people either new to the cycle trade, someone looking for a change in career or for existing bike mechanics who wish to secure formal training and additional qualifications.

Includes:

  • Cytech online Theory One

  • Cytech Technical Two

  • Cytech Technical Three

  • Cycle related business studies

  • Customer service training

  • Advanced selling skills

  • Functional Skills Level 1 and 2 in English and maths (where applicable)

Apprenticeships For Employers

INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY WITHIN YOUR BUSINESS

With the ever-increasing competition from rival bike shops, businesses and online stores, there is a fundamental need for better and more highly trained staff with the technical knowledge and required skillsets. This leads to greatly improved levels of customer service within your business.

Well trained staff can also perform a much wider range of tasks and take on new and greater responsibilities – this helps to increase productivity, reduce skill shortages and minimise staff turnover.

  • Cost effective, flexible staff development tailored to the cycle trade
  • Fully administered funding (subject to eligibility)
  • Delivery, assessment and administration all provided by our experienced training team

Don’t just take our word for it why you should take on an apprentice, here are some interesting facts about apprenticeships in general:

  1. 80% of those employers who employ apprentices agree they make their workplace more productive.
  2. 81% of consumers favour using a company which takes on apprentices
  3. Employers who take on a 16-18 year old apprentice only pay their salary. The Government will fund most of their training
  4. There are over 85,000 employers offering apprenticeships in more than 130,000 locations
  5. 88% of employers who employ apprentices believe that apprenticeships lead to a more motivated and satisfied workforce
  6. 83% of employers who employ apprentices rely on their apprenticeships programme to provide the skilled workers that they need for the future
  7. One in five employers are hiring more apprentices to help them support their business

Anyone – apprenticeships are NOT just for youngsters. You can use apprenticeships to train both new and existing members of staff. Whether you already have a member of staff in your business who wants to enhance their technical knowledge, or you’re looking to take on a new member of staff and give them the skills they need to thrive, an apprenticeship could be the right solution.

They benefit everyone – the apprentice gets valuable on-the-job training and recognised industry qualifications, your business gets engaged and loyal staff and your customers are given the assurance that their bikes are in safe hands.

Most of the training is ‘on the job’ at your premises. The remainder is provided by us – our training team will visit the apprentice every six weeks at their workplace to deliver 12 modules of learning. Additionally, a key part of our apprenticeship involves Cytech technical training where the apprentice will be expected to attend one of our training centres to complete both Cytech technical two (10 days) and Cytech technical three (6 days) courses.

We secure funding for your apprenticeship training. The amount of funding levels depends on whether your business pays the apprenticeship levy or not. The majority of cycle trade businesses don’t pay the levy (i.e. have an annual wage bill of less than £3 million).

If you don’t pay the levy, then the training costs are heavily subsidised by the government. As your training provider, we will give you guidance on the funding available, which varies according to the age and previous work experience of the apprentice and the size of your business.

In most cases, 95% of the training costs are covered by government funding. In some instances, this increases to 100% of the training costs being paid for by the government. You may also be entitled to a £1,000 incentive payment if you take on a young (16-18 year old) apprentice.

(NB. All Apprentices must be paid at least the Apprentice Minimum Wage and/or the National Minimum Wage for their age for all work and off-the-job training undertaken. Employers must meet the cost of the apprentices’ wages, have a contract of employment in place and abide by current employment laws. For more information on NMW, please visit the GOV.UK website.)

For Levy paying businesses, the funding is paid from your Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS) account. Your DAS account will tell you how much funds you have available to spend and allow you to plan your apprenticeship training accordingly. As it stands, the Levy pays apprenticeships in full, this being £7,000 (no VAT) for Intermediate Level 2.

If you would like more information about taking on an apprentice, please call our customer services on 01865 550 324 to speak to an advisor during office hours (08.30-16.30). Or complete the Enquiry Form below and an advisor will get back to you as soon as possible.

Become An Apprentice

Professional training while you work

A cycle maintenance apprenticeship is a real job within the cycle trade but with the added benefit of receiving extra professional training while you work – you earn whilst learning and gain nationally recognised qualifications such as Cytech certification. Learning new skills can provide increased employability, progression and earning potential. It can also bring greater confidence, a sense of community and improve happiness and wellbeing.

Our Apprenticeship in Bicycle Mechanics is the only scheme available that includes Cytech certification as part of the training.

To become an apprentice, you need to be living and working in England (contracted for at least 30 hours per week), be aged 16 or over and not in full-time education. That means you need a full-time job, with an employer who is willing to support your training throughout the apprenticeship.

  • You earn money whilst training
  • You train in the skills that the cycle trade need and want
  • You gain valuable work experience
  • You learn at a pace suited to you with the support of an experienced mentor

The training costs are heavily subsidised by funding from the government, together with, where applicable, an employer contribution. As your Training Provider, we will give you guidance on the funding available, which varies depending on your age and previous work experience and the size of the business or organisation that you will be working for.

We will advise and assist you in all aspects of the enrolment process. If you are interested in our apprenticeship, our friendly and knowledgeable team will answer any questions that you may have.

Please call our customer services on 01865 550 324 to speak to an advisor during office hours (08.30-16.30). Or complete the Enquiry Form below and an advisor will get back to you as soon as possible.

APPLY FOR AN APPRENTICESHIP

If you are interested in our bicycle mechanics apprenticeship, our friendly and knowledgeable team will answer any questions that you may have.

Please call our customer services on 01865 550 324 to speak to an advisor during office hours (08.30-16.30). Or complete the Enquiry Form below and an advisor will get back to you as soon as possible.