Olds College is getting into the motorcycle business — or at least teaching people how to fix them.
The college is introducing a pre-employment motorcycle mechanic program, which will place students on track to become a journeyman motorcycle mechanic.
“It’s the exact same information that a student would get in the apprenticeship program, first year,” said Tony Jordan, apprenticeship co-ordinator for Olds College’s school of trades.
The college hopes to eventually offer all of the coursework required to become a journeyman motorcycle mechanic.
“With the province’s support, that’s a goal,” said Jordan.
Olds College offers apprenticeship training for agriculture equipment technicians, carpenters, heavy equipment technicians, landscape gardeners and welders.
Its pre-employment motorcycle mechanic program will consist of 360 hours of theoretical and practical training over a 12-week period. Students will learn the basics of assembly, maintenance, repairs and restoration of motorcycles and other light all-terrain vehicles.
That should be enough for them to decide if they want to continue working toward journeyman status, and even provide them with the skills to gain immediate employment.
Jordan believes there’s a strong demand for such workers, based on his conversations with industry.
“There’s a lot of positive feedback from the shops that it’s a necessary thing.”
Laurie Chicoine, the continuing education program manager for Olds College’s school of trades, agreed that the popularity of motorcycles and recreational vehicles, and the need to service and repair them, has created a need for technicians.
“Dealerships in Central Alberta have been requesting training in this area for some time.”
Currently, that training is only available in Alberta at the Fairview campus of Grande Prairie Regional College. Jordan said Olds College wants to offer another choice, and will accept its first students into the program in February.
The motorcycle mechanic program could also become one of the dual-credit options available to students in Chinook’s Edge School Division. If so, students could complete it concurrent with their high school course work, allowing them to graduate with employable skills in the field.
Jordan said the dual-credit program has already enabled Chinook’s Edge high school students to earn credit toward welding and carpentry tickets.
Olds College is seeking industry partners for its pre-employment motorcycle mechanic program. In this regard, it’s organizing a Nov. 24 meet and greet that will run from noon to 3 p.m.
hrichards@www.reddeeradvocate.com
— copyright Red Deer Advocate