GRANGER, Ind. (BRAIN) — The National Bicycle Service Technician Program is now accepting mechanics seeking accreditation on the NBSTP website. The program was created by retailer Mike Shapiola, who received the Department of Labor's approval in May to make the profession an apprenticeable occupation.
Shapiola's program offers two ways to become accredited: through the Department of Labor Apprentice Program or through prior completed training. The NBSTP is a voluntary initiative designed to monitor, elevate, and provide a pathway to develop mechanic skills. In May, the Department of Labor approved Shapiola's request to declare Bicycle Repair Technician apprenticeable.
The NBSTP website also features a job board for registered members.
Shapiola, the owner of Spin Zone Cycling, received support from industry professionals who wrote letters to the Department of Labor advocating for the distinction from soley an occupation. Apprenticeable occupations generally are learned through a program of on-the-job supervised training combined with instruction to meet industry standards. Other apprenticeable occupations are Automobile Service Technicians and Mechanics, Plumbers, and Pharmacy Technicians.
The NBSTP outlines a career path and options for obtaining training from approved institutes. Similar to the Automotive Service Excellence certification, the program will incorporate training at colleges like Northwest Arkansas Community College that offer the curriculum.
Developing industry standards for training also would help shops establish a salary structure, Shapiola said, based on keeping training up to date and performance.
