Have you ever thought about working as a mechanic at a local bike shop, but weren’t sure where to start? This year, Charlie’s FreeWheels will be offering a Pre-employment Mechanic Training Program to boost your skills, shop experience, and community connection to prepare you for an entry-level bike mechanic job in a retail repair shop.

Eligibility:

You must be between the ages of 15 and 30 and have graduated from Charlie’s Build-A-Bike or Fix-A-Bike program, or demonstrate a basic but comprehensive understanding of how bikes work, the maintenance of their various systems, and the use of shop tools and equipment. Priority will be given to applicants who identify as women, trans, gender non-binary, Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit and Métis), people of colour, and newcomers.

Program Schedule and Location:

We will be offering two separate sessions for this year’s program:

• Tuesdays & Thursdays 3PM - 7PM from January 20th - February 26th

• Saturdays 10AM - 6PM from January 24th - February 28th

The program will be held at Ya Bikes! (242.5 Queen Street E). Attendance of all 6 sessions is mandatory to participate in the program. Classes are limited to 5 participants per session.

How to Apply:

1. Complete the online registration form by January 5th. You will be asked to provide basic personal information, state why you are interested in the program and your experience working with bikes.

2. After submitting an application, we will contact you to schedule a 15-minute phone interview to discuss your expectations, experience, and suitability for the program. Applicants will be contacted on a rolling basis.

3. Successful applicants will be notified by January 15th.