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12 Dec 2025

Electric bike specialist title CyclingElectric.com has announced that its e-bike Demo Days will return to the four established locations in 2026, following a successful series of...

11 Dec 2025

ACT parent company Bira has called on the Scottish Government to follow Wales's example and introduce genuine business rates reductions for retail premises ahead of the Scottish Budget on 13...

11 Dec 2025

An ACT member has picked up a ‘Mechanic of the Month’ award in a rare win for an entire team.

10 Dec 2025

The ACT has joined more than 50 organisations in signing a letter to transport secretary Heidi Alexander calling for clearer, measurable national targets for walking, wheeling and cycling in...

10 Dec 2025

A Cytech training provider has secured government support under the Skills for Life campaign to offer part-funded Cytech Skills Bootcamps in Surrey.

9 Dec 2025

In a cycling business where risks vary wildly by size, services, stock and setup, understanding your specific exposures, choosing a provider who truly knows the industry, and regularly reviewing...

2 Dec 2025

Independent retailers across the UK are facing business rates increases of up to 15% next year despite government promises of the "lowest tax rates since 1991", ACT parent company Bira has...

1 Dec 2025

As of Thursday 1st January 2026, the E-Bike Positive campaign will fall under the joint guardianship of the Bicycle Association (BA) and the Association of Cycle Traders (ACT).

27 Nov 2025

Cycling charity and ACT member Life Cycle has helped a former prisoner gain key bike mechanic skills to help “break the cycle of reoffending” through a Cytech-accredited training...

26 Nov 2025

The ACT has welcomed the Government's decision not to impose a cap on the cycle to work scheme, calling it "common sense prevailing" after weeks of speculation threatened a vital sales tool for...

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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.

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