{$inpagemarkup}

Search News

Results: 1-10 of 657


Bira welcomes Wales' business rates proposals but calls for key improvements

11 Jun 2025

Bira has welcomed the Welsh Government's consultation on business rate reforms for retail shops, whilst calling for significant improvements to ensure the proposals truly support high street... Read more…

New awards launch to champion Britain's independent high street heroes

9 Jun 2025

Retailers on Britain's high streets are being encouraged to put themselves forward for the first-ever Love Your High Street Awards, designed to celebrate the small businesses that bring... Read more…

"Tectonic shift" in employment law threatens independent retailer viability, warns Bira podcast

6 Jun 2025

Independent retailers are facing a "generational" transformation of employment law that could fundamentally change how small businesses operate, according to the final episode of Bira's first... Read more…

Retailers hope warm weather and bank holidays will boost high street sales

16 May 2025

ACT parent company Bira has said that members are hopeful the warm weather, Easter weekend and upcoming bank holidays will provide a much-needed boost to high street sales.
Read more…

Economic growth surges to 0.7%, but "April reality check" looms for high street retailers

15 May 2025

UK economy delivers strongest quarterly performance in a year despite forecasts of business downturn.
Read more…

Communities come together for Local Bike Shop Day 2025 celebrations

13 May 2025

Local Bike Shop Day 2025 brought a wave of... Read more…

ACT parent company Bira welcomes Bank of England's latest interest rate cut

8 May 2025

ACT parent company Bira has welcomed the Bank of England's decision to reduce interest rates from 4.5% to 4.25%, calling it a "much-needed boost" for the retail sector, including for cycling... Read more…

ACT parent company Bira responds to Beales' "Rachel Reeves Closing Down Sale" as iconic store makes final protest

8 May 2025

ACT parent company Bira has responded to the news that the 144-year-old Beales department store is staging a "Rachel Reeves Closing Down Sale" in its final weeks of trading, with giant yellow... Read more…

Employment Rights Bill - ACT and Bira answer your questions

28 Apr 2025

The Labour Government’s new Employment Rights Bill is set to be in force this year and the new regulations will impact high street retailers up and down the country.
Read more…

ACT parent company Bira welcomes Chancellor's action on unfair trade practices

25 Apr 2025

ACT parent company Bira welcomes the Chancellor's announcement of plans to create a level playing field for British businesses against unfair international trade practices.
Read more…

Back to news menu

National Occupational Standards for Welsh Apprenticeship pathway ready for industry feedback

Posted on in Cycles News

ACT Logo The Welsh Government are currently working with the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) and the Association of Cycle Traders (ACT), along with the ACT’s training provider partner Activate Cycle Academy, to develop an apprenticeship pathway for Bicycle Mechanics which will also include e-bike maintenance, off the back of increased interest in the sector.

There isn’t currently a funded training route in Wales so this would be a great addition to the cycles trade in Wales, offering more opportunities for cycle businesses to hire and train quality bike technicians.

To support this apprenticeship pathway, the IMI have been working with industry stakeholders to develop National Occupational Standards (NOS) for Cycle Maintenance and Repair, to include e-bikes.

The NOS describe what an individual in a certain role should be able to do and the knowledge and understanding they need. Companies can use them to help design their in-house training, on-the-job coaching or performance management systems.

These Cycle Maintenance and Repair NOS, for which the draft version can be seen here , is now ready for experts like you to give feedback. You do not have to be based in Wales to do this.

The wider consultation phase closes on 13th March 2022 - please follow the link here to give feedback.

VIEW DRAFT NOS GIVE FEEDBACK

To discuss anything about the project please contact Caroline Harris at the IMI - carolineh@theimi.org.uk

To also help with securing the funding provision for the apprenticeship, the ACT as the UK's largest cycling trade organisation are assisting in gauging the level of demand for this apprenticeship within Wales from Welsh-based retailers, workshops and other businesses involved in the industry. If your business is based in Wales please express your interest in this apprenticeship by completing the survey here.



Both the IMI and ACT thank the industry for their interest and support.

Back to news menu

Useful links

If you have any other queries please contact us.