Bike for Good’s Mechanic Traineeship for Women and Non-binary people 2023
Application details for
Bike for Good’s
Mechanic Traineeship for Women and Non-binary people 2023
Following the success of our pilot project last year, Bike for Good has developed a new and improved women and non-binary traineeship for those who would like to pursue a career in bicycle mechanics.
We’re currently looking for 5 new candidates to join our funded programme.
“Often growing up, women & non-binary people aren’t given access to knowledge about fixing things and getting their hands dirty. When most mechanics are cis-men, there is a kind of hierarchy of knowledge, where the men fix the bikes and teach others. This primacy of cis-men in cycling spaces can often discourage other people from participating, as well as bar them from the full range of opportunities available.” (*Broken Spoke Coop, Oxford)
Bike for Good is one of many organisations working hard to do away with these hierarchies and barriers and we have secured funding to train a group of women and/or non-binary people on an intensive two-week full-time programme, to a level where they can pass the Industry standard Cytech technical one qualification with an option to continue to Cytech technical two. This will be through a mixture of supported and self-directed learning, at a pace which will be led by the trainee up to a
maximum of one year. Bike for Good is currently the only training provider of the industry standard Cytech training in Scotland. This amazing opportunity will be facilitated by Bike for Good mechanics using our dedicated training space at our South hub, and our Cytech training space at our West hub.
There will also be subsequent ongoing support from the Bike for Good team to assist our trainees in experiencing the wealth of opportunities available within our ever expanding organisation.
After initial training, our trainee mechanics will become part of our women and non-binary volunteer team and will help deliver the women and non-binary Fix your own bike sessions at our West hub. As well as hands-on learning, there will also be opportunities to shadow experienced mechanics in a professional workshop environment, and opportunities to help our customers in a retail environment.
Programme Details
Training: 10 full days of group tuition in Bike for Good’s dedicated training space in the South Hub, plus some additional time spent in the dedicated Cytech training facility at Bike for Good West.
Dates: 6th – 10th February 2023(tbc) and 13th – 17th February 2023 (tbc). Hours approx. 10am-4pm.
Certification: Funded Cytech technical one examination to be taken at Bike for Good by each volunteer trainee after initial 2 week training. Funded Cytech two examination to be completed anytime to March 2024 at trainee request. This allows our trainees to take ownership over their learning and provides scope to suit their individual learning journey.
Application deadline: 20th January 2023
Please send your completed application to wnb@bikeforgood.org.uk
How to Apply?
If you are interested in applying for this traineeship, please write a brief statement of between 500-800 words, telling us a bit about yourself, including why you want to apply for this opportunity and explaining how you would be able to meet the time commitment required. Please also tell us what you intend to do with the knowledge and qualification you would receive from this programme beyond the first year. We encourage applications from all women and people of underrepresented and diverse genders and backgrounds.
Application deadline: 20th January 2022.
Please send your completed application to wnb@bikeforgood.org.uk
Your commitment to Bike for Good
- Full attendance at the training and the exam;
- Willingness to help shape this next phase of our work with women and non-binary people at Bike for Good and to share your knowledge with others;
- Ability and willingness to commit to a minimum of 12 hours per month of voluntary work with Bike for Good for a minimum of 3 months to a maximum of 12 months after completion of Cytech technical one training.
Our commitment to you
- 10 full days of tuition in Bike for Good’s dedicated training space
● Funding your Cytech technical one and two* exam and supporting you to get any
extra experience that you need to be ready to take the exam;
● Glasgow area public transport costs (during 2 week training)
● Contribution towards registered childcare costs (during 2 week training)
● Tools & equipment
● Opportunities to volunteer at Bike for Good in order to gain the necessary
hands-on experience to develop your skills.
* Cytech 2 exam is optional
If you are interested in applying for this traineeship, please write a brief statement of approximately 500 words, telling us a bit about yourself, including why you want to apply for this opportunity and explaining how you would be able to meet the time commitment required. Please also tell us what you intend to do with the knowledge and qualification you would receive from this programme beyond the first year. We encourage applications from all women and people of underrepresented and diverse genders and backgrounds. Please send your completed application to wnb@bikeforgood.org.uk
If you have any questions or would like to discuss this opportunity please contact wnb@bikeforgood.org.uk. We would love to hear from you!