RESETTLING FROM THE MILITARY?
Delivering military funded training in cycle maintenance since 2009, Cycle Systems are the quality ELC learning partner of choice.
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ALL ABOUT BIKES
If you are passionate about cycling and looking either be able to maintain your bike like a pro, or enter the cycle trade, then you are in the right place. Cycle Systems have lived and breathed bike maintenance since 2007.
Military resettlement partners since 2009 and highly experienced in delivery to students leaving the Forces.
High quality training with lots of industry sponsorship and unsurpassed levels of tech to learn on.
A mixture of online and in house training to suit.
LEAVING CIVVY STREET CAN BE DAUNTING
We understand. To be honest we have worked with enough military students by now, to understand that oftentimes, when you find yourself approaching the end of your military career, knowing what is going to happen next and how your accumulated experience and skills will translate in the real world (or not) can truly keep you awake at night.
You are likely faced with a move, a whole new routine, leaving behind trusted colleagues and friends and a job that you know you do well, and - whilst excited at the prospect of the coming challenge and adventure of it - it is perfectly normal to still sometimes be overwhelmed at all the sands shifting at once like this.
You felt like you belonged in the military.
And will you feel like that again?
what our military students are saying
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As an aircraft engineer with over 30 years experience I have attended numerous technical training courses over the years covering a variety of specialist subjects. In my opinion, the ability of Cycle Systems to deliver clear, concise instruction in a logical fashion is excellent, and I would rate them as providing one of the best tutors I’ve had. Add to this endless patience and the ability to field questions on all cycling matters demonstrates extensive knowledge. Moreover, the tutor's cheerful friendly attitude was conducive to learning and made the course a really pleasurable experience for all us of there
PHIL SIMMONDS, RAF
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The biggest impact for me was the help with changing my mindset from being rigid military like, to a more accommodating civilian way of thinking. Training with CSA has been great for my mental respite transitioning out of the military. Sean has been at the other end of the telephone should I need any advice or introductions into the cycling B2B world. Fantastic continuing support received
KEV STACEY, ARMY
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I thought: now is the right time to chase the dream, and for me that was cycling. Cycle Systems' courses therefore suited me and my resettlement plan down to the ground. I had a great time on the course - which was tremendous - with cycling every day as well as learning. My course had a wide range of service personnel, many of whom were pursuing second careers in the cycle industry but some, like myself, were doing the course for purely personal development. This provided a broader perspective overall. My intention was always to remain in my primary service role just working for someone else, but I knew this course would also be hugely beneficial to my own riding and cycle maintenance and would provide me with a skill should I decide to branch out once I finally retire.
PHIL HARRISON, RAF
Course Benefits
BEST RESOURCES IN THE BUSINESS
Cycle Systems is sponsored by most of the big players (and small) in the industry. Which means we regularly receive deliveries of cutting edge tech - that you then get to play with! We also have years' worth of online resources to support your learning to take advantage of.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND BY EX-MILITARY
Our positive ex-military recommendations are simply too many to count - Cycle Systems receives consistently top notch reviews and feedback from military personnel who train with us. We have been training those in military resettlement since 2009 too, so we've had a lot of time to get this right.
FRANCHISE MOBILE MECHANIC PACKAGES
Want to take this to an even higher level? No problem! Cycle Systems has a full Associate package to support you through franchising as a mobile mechanic in your area, and nurturing you through an entire 2 year mentorship package to ensure business success.
ON SITE ACCOMMODATION AVAILABLE
Need somewhere to stay at our training academy in Devon? Cycle Systems is based in an old agricultural college and can offer well-priced, clean and comfortable B+B accommodation to make your visit and study with us smooth and convenient. No more traffic-clogged commutes.
the cycle trade believes in us
Which means they'll believe in you too
Cycle Systems is enormously proud of it's trade sponsors which include:
Hi, I'm SEAN LALLY
I co-founded Cycle Systems in 2007 with my wife Julia with a view to getting more people on their bikes, more often, through providing mobile bike maintenance services. We quickly expanded to the point where development of our own in-house mechanic training became paramount, and in 2009 we attracted angel investment to open London's first bike maintenance training facility. We gone from strength to strength ever since, attracting more cycle trade sponsors every year, and being able to host some of the most cutting edge tech training available. On behalf of myself and all the team here at Cycle Systems, we hope to meet you soon!
Sean Lally
USE YOUR ELC CREDITS TOWARDS OUR COURSE NOW
ABOUT US
Established in 2009 , Cycle Systems is the leading provider of Level 3 training in bicycle maintenance in the UK and an expert in those looking for training through the UK military resettlement scheme.
Having seen 100s of ex-Forces students through our courses, we pride ourselves on being absolute expert in guiding students through the military resettlement process and in helping people just like you secure outstanding levels of qualification and skills based success.
Whether coming to us with some serious maintenance talent already, or as a nervous beginner, Cycle Systems’ courses will provide you with certification up to the highest level in bicycle maintenance engineering in the country.
We have spent almost one and a half decades honing and perfecting both our teaching and practical instruction for service leavers, building our state of the art workshop equipment, as well as designing a whole plethora of ongoing support resources, to ensure that you leave us with an unprecedented level of bicycle maintenance knowledge.
We also have a whole post-graduate development package, from low cost ongoing CPD memberships, to full franchise support packages, which keep you up to date and confident in your capacity to stay on top of the rapidly changing cycle tech development that is the bicycle industry.
Whether a hobbyist keen to save yourself money on future repairs (or hey, impress your cycling buddies with your ninja bike whisperer skills), or with the ambition to enter a globally robust industry with a recognised qualification that matters internationally:
Cycle Systems has you covered.
What's Included in The MILITARY TRACK Course
Module 01
Study the foundations with us and learn our equivalent Level 2:
- Working safely in a cycle environment
- British Standards
- Customer service requirements
- Frame + fork tech + headsets
- Principles of gear systems
- Principles of cycle hubs, wheels, tyres + tubes
- Wheel lacing and building
- Strip + rebuild and PDI
Module 02
Immerse into advanced cycle tech with our professional Level 3 Diploma in Cycle Maintenance and get the highest form of qualification in the UK (OfQual approved and can even be used as credits towards an engineering degree):
- Working in an advanced environment
- Advanced customer service
- Principles of cycle hydraulic brakes
- Principles of cycle fork suspension
- Principles of full suspension
- Advanced wheel building
- Road bike advanced group set set up and repair
TEAM CAMP ACCESS
Get the best online cycle tech training in the business when you sign up to study with us. Team Camp is our online offering that includes weekly content as follows:
- Advanced CPD training as the new tech emerges through our Upgrade with Sean series
- VIP Lounges and industry insider interviews
- Masterclasses from the best in the business including SRAM, Campag etc..
MORE MILITARY TESTIMONIALS
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I looked into a few companies and it appeared to be the most reputable – but, to be honest, Cycle Systems surpassed my expectations. When you go downstairs you walk into this whole big workshop and huge amounts of tooling. I work in a fairly highly organised environment regarding tooling, so the set-up here is comparable – it’s the nirvana of a working environment. Tooling, workbench and stand, well thought out and planned and delivered. Everyone has to step up to the level. The military works in the same way – we have to account for every single tool. This lends itself to that. If anything is broken things are identified, not stuck at the back of a drawer. Although I must say there are more and better-quality tools than in my workshop!
GEOFF WILSON, RAF
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For service leavers there are two things they want in their training – one is training that’s relevant to the market today, and the other is that the qualification they get is recognized by industry and beyond. Both of those boxes are ticked here.
One of the things I like about the Cycle Systems Academy is that instantly you are working with students who have been in the industry for years. It’s a comfort – the industry obviously sees this as a course they are willing to pay for. The other good thing is that you get to meet people. Through that contact you can understand their opinions of the industry, see here things are going and help to formulate your business plan. If it had only military personnel here it would lack that dimension. It’s a good stepping stone into the world. Also, it has to be said that the quality of the teaching is outstanding – the knowledge here stretches far and beyond, right to the edges of this industry.
I have already recommend the course to others. Plus I am reaping the benefits already as people are coming to me to have a look at their bike. I need a workshop now!
DAVE BALL, FORMER ENGINEER IN THE ROYAL SIGNALS
THE GOLD STANDARD OF BIKE MECHANIC TRAINING
Data from a survey of CSUK course participants between 2018 and 2023:
What Are You Waiting For?
Get on a call with one of our military track experts HERE.
THE RESETTLEMENT PROCESS MADE EASY
If you are concerned about how this process will go and whether you might get tied up in endless bureaucratic form-filling, we would love to reassure you - we have been through these steps so many time with our military students that it has become a simple and easy thing to assist you with. Moreover, your resettlement office will likely even have heard of us too!
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Here at Cycle Systems we decided that we would never turn out mechanics like some of our competitors do - truly we were horrified that some training establishments signed off pro mechanics after only a week of tuition. Contrary to popular opinion, bike mechanics is not easy. Committing to providing top notch, high quality education is at the heart of everything we do - and therefore learning (or relearning) essential foundational skills is an absolute must in our books. This means you will need to do the first module before beginning to module 2. (Please note - very occasionally we accept students onto a Level 3 only, but they will need to interview with Sean at intake in order to truly ascertain if they have the prerequisite skills. The honest and short answer to this question is - most people really need to immerse in both courses in order to leave qualified, competent and confident.)
As soon as you register with us we will open up your learning portal - this means you have immediate access to all the online training. Given that there is a tried and tested step by step path to success with this material, there is truly no need for you to attend in person to study with us. However, if it is important to you that you do, then you can talk about this when you speak to one of our advisors and we may be able to accept you onto an in house training at this level.
Upon successfully completing the Level 3 you will receive a Diploma in Bicycle Maintenance from Government Awarding body EAL. This qualification is internationally recognised (indeed, we have graduates working all over the world), and can even be counted as credits towards a degree in engineering.
No. Your ELC will only count towards Module 2. However, because we don't want you to skimp on critical knowledge, we discount Module 1 enormously for those on the military track, and invite only a token contribution from you towards it. Most military students choose to do this as they recognise that, with our discount in place, the "bang for their buck" that they receive is immense and no other training establishment comes close to offering this kind of value for money. With Module 2, ELCAS contributes the standard 80% towards the full cost of the course. Students can also use their SLCs and any eligible resettlement grants towards the cost of the combined training, meaning their attendance is frequently completely cost neutral.
Absolutely. Cycle Systems caters for those who want to enter the trade and those who just want to continue to support their own riding with top notch maintenance skills. Really, the only thing you need to have is a passion for bicycles. (And we can assure you, you will be in good company here!) Plus - one thing to note - we've graduated plenty of "hobby" mechanics who soon realised they could cover their annual cycle tech upgrade costs at the very least through selling mechanical services to their friends and local riding buddies. And there have been no complaints about this added side income benefit thus far!
Yes. Our instructors are highly trained and are able to offer quality support. If needed, you can confidentially disclose any needs to your instructor at the beginning of the course and he will set up a "reasonable adjustment" on record for you. Generally speaking, this means more time allowance on any assessments. Being experts in hosting military students, we are also accustomed to helping students with more complex issues and injuries to complete their studies with us - from the physical to the mental/emotional as in the case of PTSD etc. Whilst the training is demanding and rigorous, and if your learning needs are complex we recommend you book a call to discuss suitability with one of our experts beforehand, for sure we can guarantee you a patient, kind and respectful learning environment.
At Cycle Systems we chose to use EAL as our accreditation partner rather than City and Guilds or IMI because of their focus on the practical. We figured out students would rather be tested on their hands on mechanical skills rather than having to turn in reams of written work and essays like with the IMI standards for example. To date, our students have wholeheartedly supported this choice. It is worth remembering however, that this is a Diploma level qualification, and written work is both expected and appropriate, and so we do run some written assessments, yes. We estimate that the writing/academic portion of this qualification sits at about 10% of your time.
One of the things we hear most frequently from students is that they make some amazing friendships when studying here at Cycle Systems, and rarely do they want to leave. To this end, we developed a robust community of alumni which all graduates can engage in freely on the various social forums we host. Furthermore, there are options to join our continuing professional development membership platform "Team Camp" at a very low monthly cost - less than a daily cup of coffee. The members receive regular updates from cutting edge tech giants in the cycle trade, and are able to consider themselves fully versed in trade developments as a result. Cycle Systems members are therefore confident that they know as much about tech as any mechanic out there.
We are also able to provide tool consults and make genuine recommendations - all of which has been super useful to those wanting to invest in their own workshop going forward. And finally, for those graduates wanting a full support package - ranging from tools, to website design, to hands on business development support and much more, we also host a franchise mobile mechanic scheme. (Piqued your curiosity already? You can express your interest HERE.)
ON-SITE ACCOMODATION
Since 2019 Cycle Systems have been registered with HRG, meaning the cost of your stay is completely covered with us. All rooms are quiet, clean and comfortable and have double beds, ensuite private bathrooms, and are set up with desks etc to ensure you can study after hours if you want to.
Teas and coffees are also available as you wish from the kitchen area, and breakfasts are provided.
The study can be demanding and, all students report to us, that they are really happy to just be able to roll back to their room with zero extra driving effort required. (Don't make the mistake of thinking travel around South Devon is easy due to fairly small distances! The traffic during commute times and holiday periods is excruciating and it is considerable extra hassle to end up stuck on them before or after study.)
Furthermore, many students like to take advantage of our pristine location right on the edge of an Area of Outstanding Beauty here in Dartmoor national park. Classes start at 10am in order to give our keen cyclists times to do a morning ride if they so desire.
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