Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

1. When can I start?
2. What tools or equipment do I need?
3. How much does it cost?
4. Does this training fit in with the Retail Institute Modern Apprenticeship in Retail and Bicycle Servicing?
5. How long will it take to complete? Is it full-time or part-time?
6. Is the course NZQA approved?
7. What if I only want to be able to fix my own bikes? Is this course for me?
8. Can international students enrol?
9. Can I work full-time in a bike shop and do this full-time course too?
10. How many hours a week will I need to study?
11. Will my qualification be internationally recognised?
12. Will my qualification be recognised by the NZ bike industry? What do employers think of it?
13. Will you recognise my previous experience and work in the industry?
14. I am an experienced mechanic, what's in this programme for me?
15. Will you help me get a job in a bike shop once I have completed the course?
16. Where will the courses be run?
17. Can I get a Student Allowance?
18. What will I learn about?
19. What will I get if I pass the programme?
20. What are the entry requirements?
21. Are there exams to sit?
22. Do these Bike Mechanic qualifications replace the Modern Apprenticeship in Retail and Bicycle Servicing?
23. Who is Adventure Education (AEL)?
24. Who is the Bicycle Industry Association of New Zealand (BIANZ)?

Read Disclaimer

1. When can I start?

We have not set a start date for the first intake yet, because we are still developing the course. However we are aiming for early 2010.

In the meantime, ensure you have "Registered Your Interest" by filling out the form at the bottom of either Certificate in Bicycle Mechanic Level 3 or Certificate in Bicycle Mechanic Level 4.

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2. What tools or equipment do I need?

You will have access to all the required tools and equipment. Depending on how you choose to do the course, they will either be provided by your employer or by your trainer.

Our intention is to provide a list of tools, some of which you may already have access to, some of which you may purchase.

We anticipate being able using the course related costs of your student loan (yet to be approved).

We are working with distributors to finalise the list of tools and equipment required for the programme.

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3. How much does it cost?

We haven't set the cost yet. We'll let you know.

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4. Does this training fit in with the Retail Institute Modern Apprenticeship in Retail and Bicycle Servicing?

Yes. Adventure Education has designed these certificates so anyone who has completed the National Certificate in Retail Level 2 and 3 (with a strand in bicycle servicing), can transfer credit from Bicycle Servicing Unit Standards component over to Adventure Educations Certificate in Bicycle Mechanic Level 3.

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5. How long will it take to complete? Is it full-time or part-time?

The programmes are 6 months of full-time study. "Full-time" is 20 - 30 hours a week.

However, there maybe some variations to this that will be explained later - especially for those that have extensive experience working as a bike mechanic already - they may be able to "fast-track" right through to the assessment component of the programmes.

Additionally, if you are already employed full-time in a bike shop, your hours of work count towards your hours of learning.

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6. Is the course NZQA approved?

Yes. Both the Certificate in Bicycle Mechanic Level 3 and the Certificate in Bicycle Mechanic Level 4 have been approved by NZQA as nationally recognised qualifications.

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7. What if I only want to be able to fix my own bikes? Is this course for me?

Yes. But...

Our focus is on providing qualifications to those who want to make a career as a bike mechanic. Namely; those who want to enter the industry and those exiting mechanics who need to become qualified.

If you just want bike mechanic skills and are not looking for a career, you can make your decision to enrol once we have finalised the costs.

Update: Due to popular demand, sometime in 2010 we intend to work with the bike industry to set up a "Home Bike Mechanic / Bike Maintenance Programme". (Similar to courses offered by approved specialist bike retailers in the UK)

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8. Can international students enrol?

No, not at this stage. Adventure Educaution’s priority is qualify the NZ workforce, but we may open enrolments to international students in the future.

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9. Can I work full-time in a bike shop and do this full-time course too?

Yes, because your hours of work count towards your hours of learning.

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10. How many hours a week will I need to study?

Between 20 and 30 hours a week. This will vary from person to person, here are two possible scenarios:

1. John Doe is already working full-time in a bike shop so every week he clocks up 32 hours of work fixing bikes and practicing what he has learnt, plus his boss let's him study for 4 hours a week on a computer to learn the course material.
2. Jane Smith elects to study "on campus" in Auckland for 8 hours a day, 2 days a week, and does unpaid work experience at a nearby bike shop for 2 day a week.

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11. Will my qualification be internationally recognised?

Yes. The qualification is recognised in NZ through NZQA, and Adventure Education Ltd has worked with the bicycle industry in the United Kingdom, United States, and Australia to make sure that our academic requirements and standards meet or exceed those already recognised in those countries. 

Your learning resources and texts will include internationally recognised manuals and we are working closely with the UK and Australia to make the workbooks consistent across these countries. We are aiming to have formal credit transfer and qualification arrangements with the UK and Australia.

We are working with these countries to develop or include industry based certifications on top of the Adventure Education certificates that will be achieved. These certifications will be available in all countries and internationally recognised.

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12. Will my qualification be recognised by the NZ bike industry? What do employers think of it?

Yes.

Adventure Education was approached by the Bike Industry Association of New Zealand after they had surveyed the industry to find out what people wanted in a bike mechanic and a bike qualification.  And the board of BIANZ nominated representatives for the programme advisory committee who selected the learning outcomes which are now included in the two qualifications.

The Advisory group for these qualifications will be responsible for ongoing improvements to the qualifications.  The Advisory group consists of BIANZ appointed representatives, Adventure Education staff, an education consultant, and an independent bike mechanic expert.

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13. Will you recognise my previous experience and work in the industry?

Yes. As with all NZQA approved qualifications there must be a process for recognising prior learning and current competencies. What this means is at enrolment Adventure Education will consider develop an individual learning and assessment plan.

Also, Adventure Education and BIANZ are working together to develop a strategy to qualify the existing bike mechanic workforce to fast-track experienced mechanics through to the assessment stage.

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14. I am an experienced mechanic, what's in this programme for me?

This is your opportunity to be formerly recognised by NZQA, and your industry, for your skills and experience.  BIANZ is working towards having the Bicycle Mechanic Level 4 qualification as the equivalent to a trade certificate in NZ.

The qualification is also internationally recognised, so you will have the option of travelling and training others.

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15. Will you help me get a job in a bike shop once I have completed the course?

Yes. We will collect your details and help you by presenting your CV to potential employers through our graduate recruitment process and will work with BIANZ to coordinate employment opportunities with BIANZ specialist bike retailers.

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16. Where will the courses be run?

We haven't finalised that yet. It might be Auckland, it might be Wellington, it might be Christchurch, it might be all three. You might be able to do it in your home town via "distance learning". You might need to travel to one of those cities for block courses (eg 2 days of intense training) once a month. We'll let you know.

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17. Can I get a Student Allowance?

We are talking to StudyLink to arrange this for you. It hasn't been approved yet.

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18. What will I learn about?

You will learn about the full range of bicycle types, systems and componentry. Examples include: Mountain bikes, road bikes, bmx, steering systems, braking systems etc, wheels and hubs, hydraulic brakes, mechanical brakes, drive-train and much much more.

The industry has set requirements and expectations of people employed as bike technicians and bike mechanics. We have built these in the programme.

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19. What will I get if I pass the programme?

The Certificate in Bicycle Mechanic Level 3 or the Certificate in Bicycle Mechanic Level 4

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20. What are the entry requirements?

For 2010 you must be working (or be able to get unpaid work experience) in a specialist bike retailer workshop.

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21. Are there exams to sit?

Yes.

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22. Do these Bike Mechanic qualifications replace the Modern Apprenticeship in Retail and Bicycle Servicing?

No. BIANZ and the Retail Institute will continue to offer this modern apprenticeship to trainees.  If interested, contact the Retail Institute.

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23. Who is Adventure Education (AEL)?

AEL is a NZ based Private Training Establishment registered and accredited with the NZQA to provide a number of tertiary training programmes.

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24. Who is the Bicycle Industry Association of New Zealand (BIANZ)?

• BIANZ's objective is to provide a national organisation for retailers, manufacturers, importers and distributors in order to develop the retail cycle industry in New Zealand
• BIANZ is involved in the raising of retail and technical standards in the cycle trade
• BIANZ will keep the industry informed about these Bike Mechanic qualifications
• BIANZ is a member of Bike NZ [www.BikeNZ.org.nz] which is the umbrella body for all national bike and cycling organisations also including, current member organisations, BMX NZ, Cycling NZ, Mountain Bike NZ and NZ Schools Cycling Association

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Disclaimer: We have answered these questions in plain english...

But you need to be aware that in doing so, our answers are only indicative of the standards and requirements a Private Training Enterprise must adhere to.

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