BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (BRAIN) — For the fifth year, QBP and other sponsors are offering scholarships for women to attend the two-week Professional Repair and Shop Operations class at United Bicycle Institute. This year the scholarship will be offered to 32 women.
Program sponsors include Michelin, Park Tool, SRAM, United Bicycle Institute, Jagwire, Ergon, Saris, Finish Line, Kryptonite, DT Swiss, Surly, Swiftwick, Dero and Stan's NoTubes.
The program's organizers said the industry needs to reach out to more women and serve them more effectively. The scholarship is intended to increase the gender diversity of people on bikes by supporting the development of women working in bike shops.
"It's no secret that women have been historically unrepresented in cycling. Increasing accessibility for these individuals leads to a diverse future for our industry. Scholarship recipients gain a wealth of knowledge that helps them serve their communities better and helps them to create a more inclusive environment," said Kaitlin Johnson, the Women's Bike Mechanic Scholarship Program Director at QBP.
Recipients will receive a full tuition scholarship to attend UBI's Professional Shop Repair and Operations Workshop in Ashland, Oregon. Additionally, lodging at the Ashland campus will be paid for and provided and recipients will receive a small stipend upon completion of the class to help offset travel and meal expenses.
Scholarship recipients must be available to attend one of two classes: either Jan. 29-Feb. 9, 2018, or Oct. 15-26, 2018.
QBP said applicants must be "women, trans, non-binary, gender non-conforming, or intersex U.S. residents who are currently employed at a bike shop in the U.S."
Interested parties can apply at qbp.com/womensscholarship. Applications will be accepted from Oct. 2-31, 2017. Winners will be announced on or before Jan. 5, 2018.
