From education to employment

.@DerbyCollege students take part in trailblazing cycle project

A unique and innovative cycle maintenance project managed by Cycle Derby, and delivered by Bike Back Derby was launched today (9 Mar) at Derby College.

Over the next 18 months, 135 Derby College Motor Vehicle students will take part in a six week enrichment project designed to provide the knowledge and skills to maintain and build a bike. 

By the end of the course they will have a recognised Institute of Motor Industry (IMI) qualification, be able to build and repair a bike from scratch, and sustain the delivery by setting up their own maintenance shop for other students and staff to benefit from. All bikes restored to full working order will be given back to the community to promote further sustainable travel.

Derby College initially approached Cycle Derby to discuss issues they had around student transport and feedback that many either did not have bikes or that they were in need of repair.

The College also wanted to encourage students to become more active and healthy, and support students and staff to cycle to work instead of driving.

Councillor Asaf Afzal, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Public Protection said:

“This is a perfect example of how working in collaboration with the College and local charity organisation Bike Back Derby, we are able to create a unique offer to students and staff, which will not only improve employability of the students, it also meets the Council’s ambitions to encourage more people to travel sustainably, resulting in improved air quality and healthier citizens”.

Derby College Motor Vehicle Team Manager Matthew Curtis said:

“This innovative project works on many different levels. It enables our students to gain further qualifications which will increase their job prospects in the workplace.

“It also gives more students, and staff, the opportunity to take up cycling which is good for health and wellbeing and makes the journey to College so much easier as parking is obviously limited.”

The £24,000 project has been funded through the DfT’s Access Fund, as part of the D2N2 joint working.


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