Cytech/City and Guilds certificate.

bikeomatic

Hi all,

Just a quick question, how likely would one get a job as a bicycle mechanic in Dublin having done such a certificate (we're talking here all the courses that are available out there).

And I'm not talking here - you can be good mechanic without such a cert, or bad mechanic with such a certification. Just simple, without delving into any other discussions: "yes you probably would get a job" or "it makes no difference as there are no jobs out there".

Thanks!

seamus

Given the rate that bike shops are popping up I imagine there's a surprisingly large demand out there for someone who's competent with a spanner.

Without actual work references or a recognised certification, I imagine about the only way you can convince a shop to take you on is to prove yourself. If it's an option open to you, perhaps ask a shop to give you a two-week trial internship working in their workshop. They're not paying you and you're easing their workload, so it's win-win for them.
Don't just call up to the desk and ask about jobs, ask for the workshop manager and explain your dilemma/proposal to him.

After two weeks, If you know your stuff and they have room to take you on, then I don't see why they wouldn't. If they don't have room, they might offer you a reference that you can take to another shop.

You even try volunteering with the likes of rothar for a couple of months and aside from the experience, they might also give you a reference.

But yes, a certificate will help a lot. At the very least it will show that you know one end of a bike from the other, you're not some guy who's walked in off the street.

bikeomatic

I presume that kind of certification (given the price of the course which is good few thousands of euros) will give you enough knowledge to become a decent mechanic or at least the confidence (that normally would come with years of practice).

kumate_champ07

bikeomatic wrote: »

I presume that kind of certification (given the price of the course which is good few thousands of euros) will give you enough knowledge to become a decent mechanic or at least the confidence (that normally would come with years of practice).

Id prefer spending that couple of grand on a decent workstand and workshop quality tools, then buy some old bikes to fix up, sell them on, you might not make a profit but its good experience. read everything you can online and then after a year you could do a trial run at a bike shop.
you could build up a modern bike over the year with the current technology so you are up to date.

I wouldnt spend money on something I could learn at home&online. attitude,knowledge and experience come before certs in certain industries

boege

Had an interesting chat today with Local Bike Shop owner about the state of affairs in the bike business. Everyone sees an increased demand for servicing but no want wants to pay much for repairs. Result is that shops are reluctant to pay good mechanic wages or fund repair infrastructure (worshops, tools, etc). 'Margins on repairs are too low' was the comment

My guess is that people might be forceed into self reparir and as a result their may be significant interest in evening courses in bicycle repair. i.e. their may be more money teaching people to repair their own bikes than actually doing the repairs.

Teach a man to fish so to speak!!:)

Icyseanfitz

city and guilds is pretty much gone for bike mechanics at this point, its been replaced by something called a VRQ which has a level 2 and a level 3, i did both during November of last year and must say it really helped me become a more than competent mechanic, even had a mess around with some dura ace di2 stuff

i was thinking there wasnt a hope in hell id get a job in my local town as its so small but ive ended up getting a full time job in a bike shop, and i must say it really helped being able to say i was fully british qualified, couldnt have seen myself working where i am without the experience and qualifications i got over in england.

So in short if the qualification helped me get a job where i live (had a second job offer a week after i got my current job) it will almost surely help in a big city like dublin

Crow92

How much were the course icysean? Is for someone with experience or none and do you have to do each level? Do they give you their own material for before/after?

I was vaguely thinking of doing it (maybe during the summer or next year after college) I've have a years experience by the summer so far.

Icyseanfitz

Crow92 wrote: »

How much were the course icysean? Is for someone with experience or none and do you have to do each level? Do they give you their own material for before/after?

I was vaguely thinking of doing it (maybe during the summer or next year after college) I've have a years experience by the summer so far.

i did it with cycle systems academy and im not too sure on the exact cost but it was pricey enough to do both levels and get accommodation etc. probably somewhere in the 3k to 4k zone, you can jump into the level 2 with experience or without but i wouldnt do level 3 unless you had a very good idea of what you are at.

You can do each level separately as far as i know but tbh its probably easier to just get the whole thing done if your making a trip from ireland, they email you all the info that they use in the course so can always go back over stuff.

as ive said the difference in my mechanical skill before and after i did the course is night and day and i was decent enough around bikes before hand