Cytech keeps cycle hire fleet rolling
Posted on 15 Aug 2010
The Barclays Cycle Hire Scheme is off to a flying start, but what's keeping it running behind the scenes? A hard working group of Cytech qualified mechanics.
ATG Training and Cytech, the industry's technical benchmark programme, were selected by Serco as a training partner for the Barclays sponsored scheme early in 2010 and have been involved throughout the technical process ever since.
ATG and ACT were given the task of recruiting for 29 apprenticeships to fulfill the roles of Routine Maintenance Operatives resulting over several days of interviews, testing not only the applicants' attitude and aptitude, but also their basic fitness for the challenging roles.
In April the apprentices were being bussed out to ATG's Cycle Academy in Aylesbury for an initial ten day training programme. The Cytech Technical Two courses were completed with low teacher to student ratios to ensure intensive tuition, knowing that with launch deadlines pressing ATG would only get one shot to get the learners up to speed.
After 4 weeks of intensive workshop training every learner had been through the process with a positive experience and were all desperate to put their new skills into practice, which was just as well as the new hire fleet was on its way.ATG's London team of assessors has been working closely with Serco to mentor the apprentices through to launch of the scheme, delivering additional training as required and helping the mechanics fit into their new roles.
Barclays' involvement with the scheme and Cytech has taken the process to a new level of success and exposure, where ACT believes that there are growing opportunities for cycle hire throughout the IBD network in London, given the scheme's pricing focus upon short rental periods.
ATG is the leading provider of Cytech technical training throughout the UK and was awarded their role within Barclays' Cycle Hire Scheme due to their proven delivery of excellent technical training under the Cytech brand, their unique ability to do so within a funded apprenticeship structure and their world-class facilities. All of which are available to specialist retailers throughout the UK, with discounts available to all ACT members.ATG's recent Ofsted review focused upon the Serco relationship. Results will be published shortly, but ATG's engagement with retailers, suppliers and the cycling public under the Cytech brand was an impressive feature for Ofsted and one that ACT will be strongly promoting that specialist retailers make more of in autumn/winter 2010 as time allows for more investment in employees as recognised via the Cytech Retail Directory.
ATG isn't the only partner of ACT involved in the Barclays Cycle Hire Scheme, Butterworth Spengler are insurers of the scheme in partnership with Hiscox, who recognise Cytech accreditation as a key criteria for retailers and offer premium discounts accordingly.
