ATG Training gears up for big Cycle Academy move

ATG Training, the national leader in specialist training for cycle maintenance, has moved to new, 33,000 sq ft premises at the Future Centre in Smeaton Close, Aylesbury.

The Cycle Academy’s state-of-the-art technology centre and 11 modern classrooms address the need for additional provision for the expanding cycle maintenance training market

ATG is an educational charity with a 40 year track record of working closely with organisations to provide training that meets the real-world needs of employers in the cycling industry. ATG Training also delivers 90% of the Cytech courses; the cycle industry’s recognised training and accreditation scheme for cycle mechanics and bike technicians.

Cycle Academy courses are recognised for their superb standards at all levels from basic to advanced level. Trainees’ work on the wheel building course would meet the approval of even the most demanding of team riders because they learn to construct and true to specifications that exceed British Standards. This gold standard means that courses attract trainees from as far away as Cornwall. The skills of those who have qualified are sought after around the world.

Close links with the technical teams at the manufacturers of the world’s highest performance bikes and equipment such as DT Swiss, Cervelo, Commencal and Shimano mean that training is up-to-the-minute and incorporates the latest technical developments. Apprentices work with racing standard tools such as Park Tools and the highest quality cycle care products such as Finish Line.

Courses are tailored to employers’ needs and apprentices on the sought after NVQ courses get a chance to work on advanced cycles to hone their skills and learn about technologies not yet readily available on the market such as Bluetooth use in gear shifting and key technologies such as gear box bikes

Director of Skills and Learning Ian Harper said: “This move underpins our commitment to the 21st century needs of a buoyant cycle market. By expanding our already successful training facilities, we intend to stay at the leading edge of cycle maintenance training.”

ATG Training also runs a second Cycling Academy near the Velodrome in Manchester. As Britain’s only specialist cycle maintenance CoVE (Centre of Vocational Excellence) ATG Training’s growing international reputation means that it now attracts trainees from Europe as well as nationally. Tutors and the 11 nationwide assessors are drawn from a broad range of experience including aerospace technology, cycle retail, mechanical engineering and cycling mechanics at international competition level.

ATG Training’s sought-after apprenticeships comprise structured courses, including the DT Swiss factory approved two day wheel building course, delivered in the largest specialist cycle maintenance training facilities in the country. Workshop attendance is followed by individual assessment on the job over a flexible period of time. NVQs are offered at no charge to eligible students through government funding. Apprentices are paid while training and on completion, ATG Training work with employers to find job for those who need them.

Courses are also open to bike enthusiasts and home mechanics such as the Park Tool School two day course which teaches the skills and confidence to carry out repairs and servicing through a combination of demonstrations and exercises supervised by an experienced instructor.