Changes to apprenticeship funding opens doors for bike shop skills
Recent changes to apprenticeship funding will up the appeal for bike shops to enhance existing skillsets, or bring through a potential new member of staff.
The introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy now mean that businesses with a wage bill falling under £3 million could see 90% of apprenticeship costs paid by the Government.
Companies with under 50 employees that take on apprentices aged between 16 to 18 can even see 100% of their training bill paid.
Employers with wage costs about £3 million are now to be required to pay 0.5% of their wage bill toward a levy designed to fund further apprenticeship growth.
As a result, bike industry Cytech provider ATG Training has restructured its apprenticeship programme to make it even more accessible to bike dealers.
ACT members are now able to put an employee through the Intermediate Cycle Maintenance course for as little as £400. Non members will be able to achieve the same for £500.
ATG Training offers two apprenticeships for cycle mechanics:
- Intermediate Cycle Maintenance – for working mechanics who want more training and qualifications under their belts. This includes a Cycle Maintenance Certificate, Cytech technical two training (including wheel building) and qualification , Cycle Maintenance NVQ2 and Keyskills Level 1 or 2.
- Advanced Cycle Apprenticeship – for those who want more technical know-how after completing the standard apprenticeship. This includes the Diploma of Cycle Maintenance, Cytech technical three training and qualification, Cycle Maintenance NVQ3 and Keyskills at a minimum of Level 2.
To find out more click here, contact ATG Training on info@atg-training.co.uk, or call 01296 737 800.
CyclingIndustry.News regularly hosts tutorials from ATG Training’s Julian Thrasher. The latest – best practice tips for handling electric bikes – can be read here
