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Cycling club raising funds for youth bike maintenance workshops and 'go slow' inclusivity initiative

21 Nov 2024

A local cycling club is raising money and seeking donations and assistance in order to teach bike maintenance to young people through a series of workshops in 2025.
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Bira meets with Treasury members to discuss Budget concerns and business rate reform proposal

17 Nov 2024

Bira has held a meeting with members of the Treasury team to discuss concerns following its robust response to the Government’s recent Budget announcement.
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ACT teams up with Saledock to supercharge bike shop efficiency and customer experience

14 Nov 2024

The ACT has announced a dynamic partnership with Saledock - an all-in-one POS, eCommerce, and inventory management platform tailor-made for bike shops and workshops.
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'Devastating and out of touch' - independent retailers react to Budget bombshell

1 Nov 2024

Independent retailers across Britain have reacted with dismay to yesterday's Budget, with many warning of store closures, job losses and cancelled expansion plans.
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Devastating Budget Delivers Triple Blow to Independent Retailers, Says ACT and Bira

30 Oct 2024

The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) and the ACT have condemned today's Budget as the most damaging for independent retailers in recent memory, with... Read more…

Retailers paying one-third of all UK business rates despite making up only 9% of economy

30 Oct 2024

Retailers and hospitality businesses are paying three times their economic share in business rates, according to analysis by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and UK Hospitality.
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How much cash do you still accept? Independent cycling retailers can respond to this survey today

30 Oct 2024

ACT parent company Bira is working with UK Finance and other organisations who form the UK’s wholesale cash industry to gain vital information to ensure businesses get the best possible... Read more…

Bira Conference a huge success with ACT members in attendance

25 Oct 2024

ACT members were in attendance at the hugely successful Bira Conference in London last week, featuring an inspiring line-up of speakers providing valuable insights from independent retail... Read more…

Bira cautiously welcomes retail sales growth but calls for continued support

11 Oct 2024

ACT parent company Bira has responded to the BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor for September 2024
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FSB launches blueprint to revitalise UK high streets and boost tourism

3 Oct 2024

The Federation of Small Businesses has launched a new initiative, which it says aims to transform high streets across the UK, by advancing economic, social, and cultural benefits, while also... Read more…

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It's National Apprenticeship Week 2022!

Posted on in Business News, Cycles News, Political News

National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) runs from 7th-13th February 2022 and aims to celebrate and promote the positive impact apprenticeships bring to employers, individuals, and the economy, spotlighting businesses who are investing in this life-changing education route.

The Government-backed courses are proving to be as popular as ever with businesses looking to hire new talent in their recovery from the pandemic, with over 40% more people starting apprenticeships in the first quarter of 2021/22 than in the same period 2020/21, which is up again from pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

Apprenticeships benefit everyone involved, particularly in these challenging economic times. Employers get engaged and loyal staff, apprentices get valuable on-the-job training and when it comes to bike shops customers get professionally maintained bikes. Better yet training costs involved with apprenticeships are heavily subsidised, making it an extremely cost-effective means to upskilling your staff.

In England, Cytech training provider Activate Cycle Academy (ACA) deliver the Level 2 Bicycle mechanic Apprenticeship Standard, with Cytech technical training being at the heart of their programme to ensure that all apprentices gain industry recognised qualifications as well as completing their apprenticeship. It offers the perfect mix of learning whilst working and includes the following industry's standard professional qualifications and study modules;

  • Cytech theory one (online)
  • Cytech technical two
  • Cytech technical three
  • Functional Skills Level 1 or 2 in English and Maths
  • Legal Compliance
  • Customer service and advanced selling skills
  • Business administration studies plus lots more

In Wales the Welsh Government have said it will invest £366m over the next three years to deliver apprenticeships across the country. The investment will go towards creating 125,000 apprenticeships in Wales.
The Economy Minister Vaughan Gething said it will help support the Welsh Government's commitment to ensure at least 90% of 16 to 24-year-olds in Wales will be in education, employment, or training by 2050.

The Association of Cytech Traders (ACT) along with Cytech, Activate Cycle Academy and other industry players are currently working with the Welsh Government on its development of a Bike Mechanics Apprenticeship for delivery in Wales, with hopes of a positive announcement later this year.

 

How much does an apprentice cost in England

Training costs involved with apprenticeships are heavily subsidised by the Government (if you don't pay into the apprenticeship levy) - in most cases 95% of the training costs are covered by Government funding, and in some instances this increases to 100% - leaving up to only 5% of the training costs plus the apprentice's salary to be covered by the employer.

As well as the training costs being subsidised, employers hiring apprenticeships are also entitled to various incentives to aid in the employment process, including additional cash grants.

For more information about the costs involved and the financial incentives available to you, visit the ACAApprenticeships page on the Association of Cycle Traders (ACT) website.

There's never been a better time to benefit from an apprenticeship and get you staff professionally trained. For more information about how apprenticeships can boost your business, and to get the ball rolling to hire an apprentice, please contact Activate Cycle Academy on 01865 550324 or at cycles@activatelearning.ac.uk.

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