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.
