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On show 127 of the US Spokesmen cycling industry podcast I oversimplified a complex story and implied that CyTech was the only cycle mechanics’ qualification in the UK. I was wrong to boil it down to this and I’m sorry. An attentive listener pulled me up on the over-simplication, and on the latest show, recorded on Sunday, I set the record straight although I promised I’d make the full apology on BikeBiz.com and also provide more details.
The attentive listener was Graham Sunderland of White Mountain Biking.
He wrote: "Keep up the great work, it’s great listening to the discussions and other peoples’ point of view on subjects."
He continued: "Carlton mentioned trade qualifications here in the UK and said the Cytech award was the only one available. This is not the case as I have undertaken my formal training with the Cycle Systems Academy.
"The training received was first class and has provided a sound knowledge base that I still reference today."
Graham is right, and here’s why. Cytech is a brand name, not a qualification. Furthermore ACT is not an awarding body for qualifications.
There are other training companies available – such as ATG and others – but let’s focus on Cycle Systems Academy. This provides the same EAL Level 2 and Level 3 training as ATG, and every student who passes will get the full EAL QCF (Qualification Credit Framework) Certificate in Engineering for Level 2 and Diploma in Engineering in Level 3. Any QCF qualification is subjected to rigorous QA standards and checks, all the way to OFQUAL level.
Cycle Systems Academy has trained hundreds of students from many independent bike shops and chains such as Evans, Cycle Surgery, Halfords, Cycle King and Wiggle. The company has also trained staff for Giant UK, Lee Valley Velopark, Serco TfL hire bikes and many others.
