This is a trade facing website. Visit the ACT's consumer site thecyclingexperts.co.uk for information and advice on cycling and find your local independent cycle retailer.

Search News

Results: 1-10 of 886


25 Nov 2025

Longstanding independent Ipswich bike shop Elmy Cycles has installed brand-new doors and adjusted its layout, thanks to funding from Ipswich Borough Council under the Town Fund Grant Scheme.

24 Nov 2025

More than three-quarters of independent retailers, including some of those in the cycling retail sector, are boycotting Black Friday this year, rejecting pressure...

24 Nov 2025

Belhaven Bikes has announced the winner of its 20th anniversary prize draw, celebrating two decades in business.

21 Nov 2025

 Following numerous requests from members, here is an update on the speculation surrounding possible changes to the Cycle to Work scheme.

18 Nov 2025

Independent retailers are warning that proposed changes to the Cycle to Work scheme risk deepening pressures already felt on the shop floor. Writing on LinkedIn just under a week ago, A&S...

17 Nov 2025

Cycling industry bodies have reacted with alarm to reports that the Government is considering re-introducing a spending cap on Cycle to Work purchases, a proposal expected to be examined as part...

13 Nov 2025

The ACT will exhibit at COREbike for the first time in 2026, further strengthening its presence across the UK cycle industry.

11 Nov 2025

Used e-bike batteries are piling up because too many suppliers are failing to meet their legal obligations and it’s time to stop being polite about it, writes ACT Director Jonathan...

7 Nov 2025

Britain's independent retailers, including those in the cycling retail sector, are calling on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to use the autumn budget to restore...

6 Nov 2025

An investigation by Cycling Electric has uncovered that major retailers including Argos, Very.co.uk, and eBay are listing products marketed as ‘electric...

Back to news menu

Apprenticeship funding changes and bigger discounts for ACT members

Posted on in Cycles News

With the recent changes to apprenticeship funding, it can now cost even less to take on an apprentice.

Whether you already have a member of staff in your business who wants to enhance their technical knowledge, or you're looking to take on a new member of staff and give them the skills they need to thrive, an Apprenticeship could be the right solution.

There have been significant changes to the way apprenticeship funding works, including the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy and more support for smaller employers.

Larger employers (with an annual wage bill of over £3 million) are now required to pay 0.5% of their wage bill into a levy to be used towards funding apprenticeships.

Smaller employees, (with an annual wage bill under £3 million), do not have to pay a levy. They also benefit from additional funding, paying just 10% of apprenticeship costs, while the Government pays 90%.

ATG Training, provider of Cytech cycle maintenance apprenticeships, have been able to restructure the price of their apprenticeship programme thanks to the changes in government funding.

Putting an employee through the Intermediate Cycle Maintenance apprenticeship now costs just £500 in employer contributions, with a 20% discount for ACT members, making it just £400.

The Advanced Cycle Maintenance apprenticeship now costs just £995, with a 10% discount for ACT staff, at just £900.

Better still, companies with fewer than 50 employees that take on apprentices aged between 16 and 18 will have 100% of their training costs paid for.

ATG Training offers two apprenticeships for cycle mechanics:

  • Intermediate Cycle Maintenance - for working mechanics who want more training and qualifications under their belts. This includes a Cycle Maintenance Certificate, Cytech technical two training (including wheel building) and qualification, Cycle Maintenance NVQ2 and Keyskills Level 1 or 2.
  • Advanced Cycle Apprenticeship - for those who want more technical know-how after completing the standard apprenticeship. This includes the Diploma of Cycle Maintenance, Cytech technical three training and qualification, Cycle Maintenance NVQ3 and Keyskills at a minimum of Level 2.

To find out more click here, contact ATG Training on info@atg-training.co.uk or call 01296 737 800.

Back to news menu

Useful links

If you have any other queries please contact us.