Cycle into Work - helping the homeless back into work
Cycle into Work is an innovative training and employment programme developed and piloted by Bikeworks. The programme delivers work based vocational training placements & employment opportunities for disadvantaged groups including homeless and ex-homeless people. Participants have the opportunity to gain accredited professional qualifications in bicycle mechanics and national standards cycle instruction.
The Cycle into work programme
Trainees attend Bikeworks a minimum of two days per week spending one day being instructed in bicycle mechanics and another half day practising their newly acquired mechanic skills in the workplace. The other half day is spent training to become cycling instructors. At the end of the course trainees complete a 4 day intensive examination course to become accredited cycle instructors.
Outcomes of the Programme:
Of the people who have participated in the Cycle into Work programme to date:
- 260 have completed 'build a bike' courses earning a bike of their own
- 62 have graduated from the full 3 month 'cycle into work' programmme
- 38 of these have moved into stable employment
City & Guilds qualifications:
The
advantage of the City and Guilds VRQ qualification is that trainees are assessed
throughout the course on ongoing basis. If an individual fails a unit it is
possible for them to be assessed again and still pass the course if they are
successful. This gives more flexibility which is essential when working with
people who can be chaotic and suffer from personal health or other difficulties
which can impede their ability to learn or attend training.
For more information please contact Barnaby Tasker barnaby@bikeworks.org.uk