The Salt Lake Bicycle Collective's Apprenticeship Program is a self-directed mechanic's education program that you can move through at your own pace, blending research, hands on experimenting, and one-on-one instruction. By the end of it you'll have worked on upwards of 30 bikes, learned enough to land you a job in any bike shop, and give you a well-versed understanding of all bicycle mechanics, from basic to advanced. We also hope to explain the ethos of the Bicycle Collective and how all our charitable programs work together to get more people riding.
We are starting interested students off by setting up a meeting to explain the program and set expectations. After the first meeting the schedule you set is entirely up to you! Similar to daytime volunteers, apprentices can set their own appointments to come into the shop and work towards completing the apprenticeship packet. We wish every apprentice could complete all levels of the course, but understand if apprentices can only commit to progressing one segment at a time, and have structured the apprenticeship accordingly.
The apprenticeship packet is outlined as follows:
Beginner Outline and Goals
Sheet 1: Kill Bikes
Sheet 2: Kids Bikes
Sheet 3: Tools and Tool Usage
Sheet 4: BBB3 and Other Reading
Sheet 5: 24” Goodwill Bikes
Intermediate Outline and Goals
Finessing tuning principles around specific component groups:
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Advanced Outline and Goals
Advanced component compatibility
Advanced component diagnosis and repair
Hydraulic disc brake overhaul
Suspension theory and rebuilds
Frame damage assessment and repair
Esoterica and weird fixes
Frame-up build for the Collective
As apprentices reach certain milestones they will receive awards that will aid them in becoming a better mechanic. These include instructional materials, an apron, the option to keep their second frame-up build bike, and finally access to discounted professional mechanic toolkits. As the apprentice approaches a skill level that makes them invaluable as volunteer mechanics in our Community Bike Shop, they will receive a series of patches and pins for their volunteer apron to denote that they are a more advanced mechanic!
At any time along the course we will provide the apprentice with letters of recommendation and certificates of completion that denote the skills they learn and their progress through the course. These certificates and recommendations are useful for getting jobs in the industry and will reflect the apprentice's individual investment and demonstrable skill as a mechanic.
Apprentices are unpaid, but earn work trade credit at a rate of $5 an hour like any other volunteer at the Collective. Since everything we carry is dirt cheap, that actually adds up! But there are restrictions on what one can spend that credit on. As mentioned, the apprentices will receive an apron, Park Tool Big Blue Book of Bicycle Repair, substantial discounts on tools, and the option to keep their second frame-up build, within reason.
We welcome any interested folks to apply, from beginners looking for a door into the industry, to already experienced mechanics looking to brush up their skills, to commuters looking to become more self-sufficient. To schedule an orientation meeting please contact us at 801-328-BIKE or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with a brief explanation of your interest and current skill level with bicycle mechanics, no experience necessary.
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