The Bicycle Academy

Retail & Customer Service

Our Vision

We deliver internationally recognised Cytech courses in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne , Perth and Adelaide, as well as employer supported apprenticeships in partnership with AGA (RTO#3829).

Our team of qualified trainers all hold the Cytech master technician status, a Certificate III in Bicycle Workshop Operations (AUR30220) and Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. Our vision is to train and develop the Australian Bicycle Industry’s mechanics and create employment opportunities for people wanting to get a job in the bicycle industry.The Bicycle Academy is a collaborative industry partnership between;

• Industry Graduates – an industry-based recruitment & training organisation, focused on managing ‘academies for Employers and industry organisations.
• AGA – proudly part of the Intowork Group Australia, a RTO specialising in apprenticeships.
• The Pedal Group – one of the largest retail & wholesale bicycle industry businesses

The Bicycle Academy commenced operations in early 2022 with the establishment of Bicycle Academy training locations throughout Australia. We commenced Cytech and Certificate III apprenticeship/traineeship training for our foundation Employer The Pedal Group Australia.From May 2022, the Bicycle Academy opened its doors to the entire bicycle industry, with the primary aim of addressing the critical skills shortage of qualified bicycle mechanics in Australia. The early interest in our programs has exceeded all expectations and proven that there is a critical need for a national accredited bicycle mechanic training program for the entire industry. Several employers have committed already to training their bicycle mechanics in Cytech training at the Bicycle Academy. In time, it is envisaged that the majority of industry Employers will utilise the Bicycle Academy to train their new bicycle mechanics in a Certificate III apprenticeship/traineeship.

Industry Graduates

Bringing industry and vocational training together, delivering employment outcomes.

Industry Graduates improves workforce capability through design and implementation of commercially focused strategies for employers and industry bodies. The focus is on attraction, recruitment, development and retention of candidates into the workforce, from pre employment to leadership.

The Industry Graduates Career Pathway Program’s produces outcomes for learners, job seekers and employers. We focus on industry best practice workplace learning environments and offering employment outcomes.

Industry Graduates only partners with employers passionate about developing their industry and providing a recruitment process focussed on allowing learners and job seekers demonstrate ability, rather than just rely on a resume.

PROGRAM BENEFITS

• Industry experience and employment outcomes are the focus.
• Employment outcomes align with workplace competency, which can be immediate or once skills have been demonstrated.
• There are multiple stages to the recruitment process, which better reflects job seeker and employer requirements.
• Apprenticeship, short and long courses available, with various fee structures and funding to suit all types of learners.
• Industry Graduates only enters partnerships with employers and Registered Training Organisations who value workplace development leading to employment outcomes.

Become a Master Bicycle Mechanic

What skills do you need as a Bike Mechanic?

Experienced Bicycle Mechanics are highly valued and historically most bicycle mechanics have developed their skills on or working on their own bikes. However, there are professional certified pathways available for Bicycle Mechanics that can commence from an early age and develop into a fully certified Master Bicycle Technician. Generally speaking, to love and be successful in a career as a bicycle mechanic you:

• Are more inclined to be mechanically minded and enjoy working with your hands.
• Believe the formula for the number of bikes you should own is N = N +1, where N is the number of bikes your currently own.
• Are very focused and have extreme attention to detail.
• Are not perfect, but you always like your work to be. Perfection and mastery are an obsession.
• Prefer the company of others. You like to work in a team and are also comfortable in a retail environment interacting with customers.

Why Be a Bicycle Mechanic?

1. A LIFELONG CAREER PATHWAY 

Much like the automotive trades, individuals can study a nationally accredited Apprenticeship and/or industry certified technical training, to become a qualified Bicycle Mechanic. A growth industry, such as bicycles, means there are many future opportunities for young people and older career changers to develop skills and build a lifelong career pathway.

2. HIGH EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND A CAREER YOU CAN TAKE GLOBALLY

The bicycle industry is one of the fastest growing sectors in Australia. Bicycles are quickly becoming the go to transportation choice for commuting, fitness, and recreation. They are cheap to run, keep you fit and a very practical form of transportation. Furthermore, the rapid growth of Electric Bikes (E-Bikes) is captivating the world and producing a new generation of road, trail, and eco-friendly cycling enthusiasts. The modern design and advanced technology of E-Bikes plus traditional pedal bicycles has become very intricate and technical, which means the Bicycle Mechanic role is more critical than ever. This ensures a bright future and a diverse range of career pathways for anyone seeking to work in this dynamic, fast-paced industry

3. BE A PART OF THE FUTURE OF SUSTAINABLE INDUSTRY

No matter what your philosophical stance on climate change or ‘green’ initiatives are, the reality is we all need to contribute to the future health of the planet. That might mean investing in an electric car, taking public transport or riding a bike to work or just using those pins we all have to get around. The contribution can be small and simple, and most people now believe they can make a difference even in a small way.

4. WORK & INTERACT WITH A DIVERSE RANGE OF PEOPLE

There is strength in diversity and as a Bicycle Mechanic you will work with people and communicate with customers from a range of backgrounds and cultures. The bike is the common thread that binds people together.

5. YOU LOVE BIKES AND HATE SITTING AT A DESK

You love to ride; for sport & fitness, commuting or as your weekend activity with the kids. More importantly you can think of nothing worse than sitting in an office staring at a screen all day.

What is Cytech?

Cytech is the internationally recognised training and accreditation scheme for bicycle technicians.

Cytech delivers training and promotion of technical skills to the cycle trade and enthusiasts worldwide. Cytech was created for the UK cycle industry by the Association of Cycle Traders (ACT).

Since being developed over 30 years ago, over 21,000 Cytech technical training courses have been delivered to candidates including staff working for some of the world’s leading bicycle distributors.

Cytech courses encompass the basics of cycle mechanics right through to dealing with the most advanced and high-tech components and parts.

Apprenticeships/Traineeships

Pedal into a new careers as a Master Bicycle Mechanic

The bicycle industry is one of the fastest growing sectors in Australia. Bicycles are quickly becoming the go to transportation choice for commuting, fitness and recreation. They are cheap to run, keep you fit and a very practical form of transportation. Furthermore, the rapid growth of Electric Bikes (E-Bikes) is captivating the world and producing a new generation of road, trail and eco-friendly cycling enthusiasts. The modern design and advanced technology of E-Bikes plus traditional pedal bicycles has become very intricate and technical, which means the Bicycle Mechanic/Technician role is more critical than ever. Taking your bike in for a service is the same as taking your car or motorcycle in for its regular service. This ensures a bright future and a diverse range of career pathways for anyone seeking to work in this dynamic, fast-paced industry.

Pathways and Outcomes

In the past the majority of bicycle mechanics in Australia started out working in a store workshop and learnt on the job from an experienced mechanic. In fact prior to 2020, very few bicycle mechanics completed a ‘formal’ qualification, which is not uncommon in certain vocational industries.

More recently the Bicycle Industry and the Australian Government has seen a bicycle mechanic apprenticeship or certified training as a great alternative for those school-leavers seeking a hands-on type role similar to that of a car, truck or motorcycle mechanic.

Currently there are two career pathways available for bicycle mechanics via the Bicycle Academy. These are:

CYTECH CERTIFIED TRAINING

Cytech is the internationally recognised training and accreditation scheme for bicycle technicians. In Australia, it is delivered in partnership with a selection of industry organisations, trainers and retailers, as Cytech Australia.

Since 1990, over 21,000 Cytech training courses and qualifications have been delivered to candidates across the world, including staff at some of the industry’s leading bicycle distributors.

Cytech courses cover the basics of cycle mechanics right through to dealing with the most advanced and high-tech components and parts.

CERTIFICATE III BICYCLE WORKSHOP OPERATIONS

The Certificate III is the Australian qualification accredited under the Vocational Education & Training pathway. Students can complete this qualification with our partner registered training organisation, AGA proudly part of the Intowork Group. If you have permanent employment (minimum 15 hours per week) with an approved bicycle industry employer, you can study the Certificate III in Bicycle Workshop Operations(AUR30220) as an apprentice or trainee in while you work. On completion of this program you graduate as a fully qualified bicycle mechanic.

PLEASE NOTE: APPRENTICESHIP/TRAINEESHIP ONLY AVAILABLE IF YOU HAVE PERMANENT EMPLOYMENT(MIN. 15 HRS/WEEK) WITH AN “APPROVED EMPLOYER” THAT IS ABLE TO SUPPORT YOU AS AN APPRENTICE. BICYCLE ACADEMY ASSISTS EMPLOYERS TO MEET THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES IN EACH STATE.

Awards

Resources