About us
Cytech was created and is owned by the UK cycle industry via the Association of Cycle Traders (ACT). Since being developed over 30 years ago, 27,000+ courses and qualifications have been delivered to candidates from 50+ countries around the world including staff working for some of the world’s leading bicycle distributors.
History
The professional training and accreditation scheme came about following a court case regarding a bicycle accident in the UK during the late 1980’s. A very well-known cycle shop owner was asked what qualifications he had to work on this particular bike. He started saying, “Well I've been in the cycle industry 45 years...” to which the magistrate responded with, “I'm not asking you how long you've been working. I want to know what qualifications you've got!” He couldn’t give an answer because at the time there weren't any.
In response to this the ACT decided that the industry needed a qualification structure that could be delivered to the cycle trade so that if the above situation arose again, the dealer could answer with, “Yes, I've got this qualification.” Since then the qualifications have become the industry standard and are recognised worldwide. It’s not just the cycle industry that recognise the qualifications either, for example many insurance companies base their policies around the level of qualification that the business staff have, and councils use them when it comes to cycling events too.
In 2014 Cytech went international by launching in South Africa with Torq Zone Academy, our first training provider outside of the UK. The training scheme, as well as bicycle mechanics as a profession, has gone from strength to strength in the country with the syllabus also becoming the basis from which their recently developed National Qualification Framework (NQF) for bicycle mechanics was created. These developments are a great achievement and mean that the profession is recognised on par and in the same light with the likes of other more established careers, in South Africa and also setting a precedent for further afield.
In 2016 Cytech expanded further, launching in both Canada and Australia with Specialized Canada* and Bicycle Industries Australia (BIA)** respectively. These developments as well as others that are in the pipeline reinforce the fact that Cytech is the internationally recognised industry standard and that our qualifications for bicycle technicians and the cycle trade are applicable worldwide.
*As of April 2020 Cytech training is now delivered in Canada by Whistler Adventure School.
**As of July 2021 Cytech training is now delivered in Australia by The Bicycle Academy.
So, why choose Cytech?
There are many reasons why people choose Cytech over other organisations, from wanting nothing less than the industry leading bike mechanics qualifications to receiving the highest quality of training that all of our trainers and assessors personally deliver. Here are a selection of benefits that technicians, businesses and customers all get from choosing Cytech:
Technicians:
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Businesses:
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Customers:
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Technicians: â–º Get featured on the international Cytech directory which also provides a Cytech technician status â–º Enjoy our courses! Just take a look at our feedback â–º Improve confidence within their role â–º Have access to international employment opportunities (Cytech is the globally established bicycle technician qualification, with skills and knowledge being transferable) |
â–º Learn the skills needed to work safely, efficiently and to the highest standards within a bicycle workshop environment – 91% of candidates agree that they are better at their job after a Cytech course â–º Get certified as a professional bicycle technician â–º Have the ability to pass on knowledge to others within an organisation â–º Join a global network of like-minded individuals, encouraging best practice and continual learning |
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Businesses: â–º Have motivated and loyal staff that feel valued as their employer invests in them and their development with the leading bike mechanics qualifications â–º Save time and costs involved with training both new and existing members of staff â–º Are able to promote Cytech qualified technicians' work and hang employees' Cytech certificates in store â–º Can benefit from promotion on the Cytech Accredited Shop search. Cytech Accreditation is a quality benchmark scheme designed to recognise and promote the individuals and businesses that invest in Cytech technical training â–º Have a competitive advantage over those businesses that do not have Cytech qualified staff (see ‘promote your shop’) |
â–º Benefit from promotion on the international Cytech directory (all qualified technicians who opt in are displayed and are searchable) â–º Benefit from repeat servicing and repairs as well as new customers due to a consistently high standard of workmanship that results in customer satisfaction and a positive reputation â–º Save time and costs in the workshop as qualified technicians become more efficient at a consistently higher standard â–º Can use the Cytech logo on website and marketing literature â–º Have access to Government funding for the Cycle maintenance apprenticeship which incorporates Cytech training and accreditation at our training providers â–º Have the ability to charge the workshop prices deserved of a higher quality of work |
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Customers: â–º Are able to find their nearest/local Cytech qualified technician using the international Cytech directory â–º Have peace of mind that their bike will be serviced/repaired to the highest standard by a qualified technician who they know by name â–º Get ongoing technical support to ensure their bike runs smoothly enabling the best cycling experience |
â–º Can be safe in the knowledge that their bike is being well looked after by a business who cares about their customers and invests in their staff â–º Can be confident that the technician(s) will be able to find the cause of any issues on their bike, and be able to find a solution as well as offer advice â–º Can be sure that any new bike will be properly set-up to manufacturers' guidelines and relevant legal standards, by a competent mechanic that has undergone specialist training |