GO Outdoors introduces new bike mechanic apprenticeship

In collaboration with Activate Cycle Academy, GO Outdoors has launched a new work-based training apprenticeship programme for store colleagues in England.

GO Outdoors said it has trained over 200 colleagues internally and has launched this bike mechanic apprenticeship offering to provide a different avenue to prospective and existing colleagues that will result in an industry-recognised qualification being gained. The apprenticeship aims to enhance customers’ in-store experience whilst also creating a talent pipeline of highly skilled bike technicians.

GO Outdoors is not the only national bike retailer to go down the workshop apprenticeship route – Evans Cycles launched a scheme for bike mechanics last year. Meanwhile the likes of Balfe’s Bikes also began a Cytech apprenticeship roll out in H2 2023.

The Level 2 Apprenticeship in Bicycle Mechanics is designed around the needs of the cycle trade. Those who finish the apprenticeship will be given Cytech training and a certificate as part of the programme, giving the apprentice the best possible industry-recognised qualification for a future career within the cycle industry. On completion, the apprentice becomes a fully trained professional “master technician” bike mechanic.

To take part in the programme, GO Outdoors colleagues are either recruited or nominated by their manager and once onboarded, they will begin a mixture of online, mentored and technical learning provided by GO Outdoors and Activate Cycle Academy.

Jonny Lodge, National Sales and Operations Manager for Cycling at GO Outdoors said: “The decision to introduce a cycling apprenticeship into GO Outdoors has come from a place of passion and experience, with acknowledgement that this offers a chance to build on an already successful recipe for UK cycling retail. Importantly, it supports our aims to continuously invest in and develop our colleagues, whilst addressing the national bike mechanic shortage by bringing more skilled technicians to the industry.

“We are thrilled to be working with Activate and recognise them as a market-leading provider that is supporting the industry with a fantastic learning framework.”

Activate Cycle Academy have a proven track record of delivering this apprenticeship, and offer the Cytech 2 and 3 qualification as part of the learning outcomes, allowing apprentices to further develop their skills.

Matt Grant, Cycles Sales and Marketing Manager at Activate Cycle Academy, said: “We are delighted to partner with one of the country’s leading retail groups with this apprenticeship programme. This collaboration shows how committed GO Outdoors is with supporting their colleagues with continued learning, development, and upskilling. By choosing our training programme, GO Outdoors are ensuring their cycle technicians receive the very best industry training and qualifications available to further enhance their career within the greater retail group.”

GO Outdoors’ first Bicycle Mechanics Apprenticeship cohort commenced in October 2023, with a further roll out expected early 2024 and a 2-3 year goal to have one master mechanic in every store.