SuperBike Factory, the largest retailer of second-hand bikes in Europe, has announced a collaboration with Nottingham College’s Emtec automotive brand to launch a new apprenticeship scheme.
The new scheme will focus on the maintenance and servicing of motorcycles, and “looks to solve a historic issue for the sector; the lack of a structured training programme for aspiring motorcycle technicians,” according to a press release.
The programme begins this week with its first eight apprentices, who each join as part of a two-year scheme. SuperBike Factory says that this first cohort comprises apprentices from “school leavers to mature students,” and “is balanced by gender.” A second cohort is anticipated for September.
The apprentices “will learn to service and maintain a wide range of motorbikes on scale, from Aprilias to Yamahas, from 125cc to 2000cc bikes,” SuperBike Factory says.
Additionally, SuperBike Factory says: “Upon completion of the scheme, the apprentices will be eligible to apply to join the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) Professional Register, a register of qualified time-serving individuals in all aspects of the motor industry, which provides verification for the wider public and employers that each apprentice is fully qualified.”
“The UK motorcycle industry is historically fragmented with consumers consistently underserved due to a lack of well-trained, experienced technicians,” said Scott Behrens, Co-Founder and CEO of SuperBike Factory. “With the launch of our apprenticeship programme, SuperBike Factory, in partnership with Emtec, part of Nottingham College, is looking to change that, establishing the training and support structures necessary to equip the next generation of quality technicians.
“We’re delighted to be welcoming eight new apprentices to the SuperBike Factory family and we hope to welcome a second cohort of recruits in September this year,” Behrens concluded.
Lisa Wilson, Executive Director for Employer Services at Nottingham College, added: ““We work with some of the world’s most well-known and leading automotive brands and are proud to be working in partnership with SuperBike Factory to provide their apprentices with first-class training. We are looking forward to partnering with a business that is leading the way in modernising motorbike retail and are eager to welcome our first cohort of apprentices onto the programme.”
