Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Centennial Colleges Motorcycle Technician Training Combines In-School Sessions and Time with an Employer

Everywhere you look today, you’re bound to see a variety of motorcycles — ranging from large cruisers (think Harley Davidson) to sports bikes (think Kawasaki). These bikes encounter an assortment of problems — whether electronic or electrical. Before taking a motorcycle on the road, it is vital that it is inspected to ensure that there are no problems. And if it does encounter a problem, it is important to get it fixed right away. The people who work on these problems have the appropriate motorcycle technician training to fix everything from electric mopeds and motor scooters to dirt bikes and cruisers. With 100,000 motorbikes registered in Ontario alone, there is a need for trained professionals.

Motorcycle technician training can be obtained at post-secondary institutions such as Centennial College in Toronto, Ont. This particular program accepts students during two intake periods in August and October. Within the undertaking, there are three training periods of 1,800 hours with an employer and 2 eight-week college sessions. Roy King, an instructor in the program, explains how registration works: “In order to enter the program, you must have a job at a motorcycle dealer. It is a restricted trade in the sense that in order to work on the products, you have to be licensed or be a registered apprentice. You’ll go through a certain amount of time (roughly three years) for an apprenticeship. And within that apprenticeship, on the job you’ll then be scheduled in by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities into one of our two sessions of the in-school portion of your apprenticeship.” In addition, students must have an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent. For more information on the motorcycle technician training application process, check out the admission section on Centennial College’s site.

Once in the program, students will study out of the largest transportation training centre in the province, Ashtonbee Campus. The training centre includes fully equipped labs in which students work on actual motorcycles during the two eight-week college sessions. In addition, they have access to all of the tools that are commonly used in the field. As part of the motorcycle technician school training, students attend lectures presented by experts who have years of experience in the field. These experts not only guide students but also share personal experiences to enhance the motorcycle technician training. Topics include: engines, power trains, electrical systems, fuel systems and more. During the in-school motorcycle technician training, students may be able to qualify for income support through Employment Insurance Canada benefits or a training allowance. Once in-school sessions and on the job requirements are completed, students write a certificate to become a licensed motorcycle technician.

Upon graduation, graduates are able work at automotive or motorcycle repair shops, service stations, motorcycle manufacturing companies or dealers. At these various places they diagnose, repair and service electronic and electrical systems of motorbikes. Specifically these techs: repair or replace parts, rewire ignition systems, realign breaks and replace shock absorbers, mend damaged bodies or fenders.

Jason is the author of this piece about motorcycle technician training at Centennial College. During the program, there are three training periods of 1,800 hours with an employer and 2 eight-week college sessions.

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