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BBC News e-bike segment provokes negative reaction due to “factual inaccuracies”

A recent BBC Breakfast segment has sparked backlash from the cycling community over its portrayal of e-bikes, with critics accusing the broadcaster of conflating legal e-bikes with illegal,...

9 Jul 2025, more…

Life Cycle launches Bikes Beyond Bars initiative at HMP Bullingdon

Bristol-based Cytech training provider and ACT member Life Cycle has launched its award-winning Bikes Beyond Bars programme at HMP Bullingdon, expanding a project that has already impacted lives...

7 Jul 2025, more…

Bike mechanic shortage in Europe sparks Shimano to launch investigation

Shimano has launched an urgent investigation into what it describes as a “critical” shortage of skilled bike mechanics across Europe, warning that the situation threatens to...

3 Jul 2025, more…

MPs urge crackdown as unsafe e-bikes and chargers found on Amazon and eBay

MPs have called on Amazon and eBay to tighten controls after e-bikes and chargers flagged as serious fire risks were found for sale on their platforms.

2 Jul 2025, more…

E-Bike Positive campaign gains national momentum amidst media coverage in 2025

The E-Bike Positive campaign has seen major success in the first half of 2025, with its message reaching nearly 8 million people across the UK through high-profile media coverage and growing...

25 Jun 2025, more…

Cytech Training Returns to Darlington as Activate Cycle Academy Reopens Workshop

Activate Cycle Academy has reopened its Cytech training facility in Darlington, offering a full range of courses from Home Mechanic up to Cytech Technical Three.
 

20 Jun 2025, more…

Beyond the discount: Restoring integrity to the cycle supply chain

The Association of Cycle Traders believes the time has come for greater accountability throughout our supply chain, writes ACT Director Jonathan Harrison in an article published for BikeBiz.

18 Jun 2025, more…

Study warns forceful cycle advocacy risks hindering bike lane progress

A new academic study has found that overzealous pro-cycling campaigners on social media may be inadvertently damaging the case for better cycling infrastructure across the UK.

11 Jun 2025, more…

Young adults leading the UK’s surge in e-bike popularity – but increased education on battery safety crucial, new research reveals

 To coincide with Bike Week (9-15 June) – the UK’s annual celebration of cycling – new research has revealed a clear shift amongst Gen Z and Millennials in their approach...

9 Jun 2025, more…

ACT Director among judging panel announced for BikeBiz Awards 2025

The judges for the BikeBiz Awards 2025, in association with Bikedesk, have been officially announced, with ACT Director Jonathan Harrison among the leading voices from all corners of the cycling...

3 Jun 2025, more…

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Government funding announcement perfectly timed with ACA new apprenticeship standard launch

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Government funding announcement perfectly timed with ACA new apprenticeship standard launch

Posted on 9 Jul 2020

Cytech coursesFor English-based cycle business there has never been a better time to take on an apprentice in cycle maintenance!

Yesterday the Government has announced that a total of £1.6bn investment will be made into scaling up employment support schemes, traineeships and apprenticeships to help people seeking jobs. This is particularly aimed at young people worst hit by the crisis.

Businesses will now be given £2,000 for each new apprentice they hire under the age of 25. In addition to this, the Government is encouraging employers to hire apprentices aged over 25 with a new £1,500 bonus that will be given to the employer per employee; this is running from 1st August 2020 to 31st January 2021. For the first time ever, the Government will also pay employers £1000 to take part in new traineeships with triple the number of places available, equalling a £111 million investment scale up traineeships in 2020-21 ensuring more young people aged 16-24 have access to high quality training. The incentives also include a £17 million of funding to triple the number of sector-based work academy placements in 2020-21.

This is in addition to the existing £1,000 payment the Government already provides for new 16-18-year-old apprentices and those aged under 25 with an Education, Health and Care Plan.

 

Activate Cycle Academy Apprenticeships

The Government announcement is perfectly timed with Activate Cycle Academy's launch of a brand new apprenticeship standard for bicycle mechanics! This Level 2, 18 month programme will replace the old frameworks from 1st August, 2020.

Full details about the rollout of this new standard will follow in the next few days. However, in a recent announcement from ACA they have already disclosed that Cytech will play a key part in the new standard: "with our background in delivering Cytech technical training to the cycle trade, you can be sure that Cytech features heavily as part of the qualifications that apprentices will gain during the apprenticeship - the cycle trade asked, and we listened."

Cytech is the internationally recognised training and accreditation scheme for bicycle technicians. Cytech delivers training and promotion of technical skills to the cycle trade and enthusiasts worldwide.

Apprenticeship training has always been heavily funded by the Government, but after today's announcement, it becomes an even more attractive training proposition for staff for a lot more businesses.

For more information about Activate Cycle Academy's apprenticeship schemes visit their website here or contact them at cycles@activatelearning.ac.uk.

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