Santa Cruz schools become first in state to offer Bicycle Repair Technician Apprenticeship

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION) The first Bicycle Repair Technician Apprenticeship in California will be offered at Santa Cruz City Schools, according to Project Bike Tech.

The program is made up of on-the-job training and instruction, and apprentices will be paid during their term. They will also receive a certificate of completion by the California Department of Apprenticeship Standards and be recognized with a skilled journey worker status.

At Santa Cruz City Schools, apprentices will receive 288 hours of instruction and 2,000 of on-the-job training.

“Santa Cruz County is known as one of the largest bicycle hubs in the U.S.. Our goal is to establish the apprenticeship locally, and expand to a statewide and nationwide scope,” says Patricia Greenway, Program Manager for the Project Bike Tech Apprenticeship program. “The enthusiasm and support we have received from educators, employers, and the California Department of Industrial Relations assures us this program has potential to make a long term positive impact on the economy far beyond our local region.”

According to Project Bike Tech, there were more than 13,000 bicycle repair technicians employed throughout the country as of May 2019. Nearly 3,500 of those working in the bicycle industry work in California.