Education · 1 of 4

The path

Learn in a shop, on a short course, or both. No licence or apprenticeship needed.

1. 1

   High school

   Grades 10 to 12

   Work on your own bike and friends' bikes. Tech or shop classes help. Get a part-time job at a bike shop if you can.

2. 2

   Shop helper or bike builder

   First season

   Most people start by assembling new bikes and doing flat repairs in the spring rush. Shops hire in March and April.

3. 3

   Short course (optional)

   2 to 4 weeks

   Winterborne in Dundas, Ontario runs an 11-day full-time Pro Mechanics course. Whistler Adventure School in BC runs a one-month course with Cytech certificates, a British standard used by bike shops.

4. 4

   Brand and product training

   Days each, over years

   Suspension makers, e-bike systems like Bosch and Shimano, and hydraulic brake makers run short courses so you can do warranty work.

5. 5

   Head mechanic

   2 to 5 years

   After a few seasons you run the service bench, quote repairs and train new helpers.