New Zealand Certificate in Bicycle Mechanics (Level 4)

Location

Online with two compulsory block courses (in Central Otago) and 160 hours of work experience at any suitable bicycle workshop in New Zealand 

Duration

17 weeks full-time; part-time not available

Credits

60

DescLevel

60

Intakes

To be confirmed for 2022

Apply

Please contact Jordan Gilmore (jordan.gilmore@op.ac.nz) to discuss

    Study breaks content

  • Location
    Intake
    Study breaks
  • Cromwell, Central Otago
    19 February 2024
    1 July 2024 - 19 July 2024
    15 April 2024 - 26 April 2024
    30 September 2024 - 11 October 2024
  • Cromwell, Central Otago
    17 February 2025
    30 June 2025 - 11 July 2025
    14 April 2025 - 25 April 2025
    22 September 2025 - 3 October 2025
  • Cromwell, Central Otago
    14 July 2025
    22 September 2025 - 3 October 2025

Gain a qualification that will make you stand out from the crowd in this rapidly growing industry!

If you’ve completed your New Zealand Certificate in Bicycle Servicing (Level 3) with us, or have previous experience in the bicycle industry, this Level 4 programme is a great way to take your skill set and knowledge to the next level and advance your career. 

Offering you a flexible learning environment through a blend of practical block courses, online learning and workplace experience, previous learners have enjoyed the chance to successfully fit their around other work or study commitments. 

Small class sizes, specialist equipment and expert tutoring from experienced mechanics and mechanical engineers combine to provide a learning experience that will enable you to develop skills and knowledge to help you stand out from the crowd. 

During this programme, you will learn advanced techniques such as wheel building, suspension servicing, frame preparation and e-Bike system diagnostics whilst honing your previous mechanical knowledge to methodically diagnose, repair, overhaul and rebuild bicycles and components.

Career opportunities

  • Senior bicycle store workshop and retail positions 
  • Mechanic in unsupervised sole employee workshop 
  • Specialist bicycle servicing providers (wheel building, suspension servicing)
  • Bicycle industry tourism providers (guides, workshop) 
  • Bicycle mechanic on professional racing teams 
  • Other areas of opportunity within the industry: 
    • bicycle store ownership 
    • bicycle import businesses 
    • bicycle coaching and fitting 
    • bicycle designing and building 

This programme will also provide a great step towards other industry-related positions such as working in research, marketing, journalism or event management.  

Entry requirements 

If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes

Selection criteria

Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis until the programme has reached its capacity. 

Additional costs

You will need to cover your travel, food and accommodation costs during the block courses. 

You will study

Through this programme, you will learn how to:

  • Work safely and efficiently in a professional bicycle workshop 
  • Diagnose and overhaul an extensive range of bicycle components spread across all bicycle systems:
    • frame preparation 
    • tyres and hubs 
    • steering 
    • brakes 
    • drive train 
    • shifting 
    • suspension 
  • Research and design bicycle solutions to meet specific customer end user needs 
  • Communicate and work with customers, co-workers and other industry providers. 
Outcomes  Credits
Carry out diagnostic procedures, and repair and/or overhaul a range of bicycle components and systems under broad guidance; and inspect frames and forks 40
Effectively communicate with customers to interpret their needs and make recommendations for component and system solutions based on end-user requirements
Apply design principles and ergonomic considerations to select and tune components and systems of a bicycle to fit a rider
Apply wheel-building techniques for a specific purpose and end user
Conduct research to plan and price a bicycle for a specific purpose and end user
TOTAL 60

Your workload

  • Online learning: 10-12 hours per week. 
  • Two, fortnight-long block courses held at Otago Polytechnic's Central Otago Campus (60 hours per fortnightly block course).  
  • 160 hours industry work experience (40 hours per week) at any suitable bicycle workshop location within New Zealand. 

Student loans and allowance 

Full-time domestic students of this programme are eligible for student loans and allowances (dependent on age and financial circumstances.) Please contact Studylink for additional information. Phone 0800 88 99 00 or visit www.studylink.govt.nz

Recognition of prior learning 

If you already have extensive knowledge and skills gained from practical experience in this area, enquire about our recognition of prior learning process at Capable NZ. You may have already gained credits towards this qualification in the course of your life. Visit Capable NZ.

Intakes:

Course Description Dates
24-COT-FY Cromwell, Central Otago 19 February 2024 (Part time)
25-COT-FY Cromwell, Central Otago 17 February 2025 (Part-time, full year)
25-COT-S2 Cromwell, Central Otago 14 July 2025 (fulltime)