WATERLOO, Wis. (BRAIN) — This week 11 women technicians will attend Trek's first ever Women's Expert Technician Course, offered at the company's Trek Certified Service facility here.
The six-day, scholarship-funded course is the third in a series of women's-focused courses designed to provide growth opportunities and increase diversity within the cycling industry. Besides Trek, the course is supported by SRAM, Shimano, RockShox, Bosch, and Fox.
The course is geared toward maximizing a production technician's day-to-day abilities and work load. A minimum of three years' experience in a high-performing service department is required for participation in the course, with prior formal training recommended.
"We've come to realize the alarmingly small percentage of female technicians working in IBD service departments," said Josh Borgmeyer, manager of Trek Certified Service Education. "TCS saw a need for women's-focused training as a way to provide a different learning environment than what's typical in the service industry. Following completion of the course, these 11 women will play an integral part in making sure that every cyclist has a great product experience every time they ride."
The students will get first-hand training from the industry partners who support the course, including SRAM.
"This is a tremendous opportunity to bring more women into the service profession, and Trek is making a great effort to bring professionalism into our business," said Troy Laffey, technical ambassador and course instructor for SRAM. "Service really is the future of our industry, and I'm excited for the opportunity to play a role in this course."
The six-day course will conclude with written and practical exams that cover both mountain bike suspension and high-end road bike assembly. The women will leave the course with an Expert Technician certification.
