Redesigned Bracken Ridge bicycle apprenticeship course rolls into 2026 delivery

With 16 years of industry experience, ranging from teen BMX riding to triathlons and a degree in biomechanics, Robert Ham has transitioned from a current bicycle technician and store owner to a TAFE Queensland educator, driven by a passion to bridge the gap between the industry and apprentice training.

Reflecting on his career in the pushbike industry, Robert started as an apprentice, just like the students he now teaches.

"I saw this bicycle workshop course all those years ago and saw it as an opportunity to upskill myself. And so I actually did it off my own back as I didn't realise there was an apprenticeship option at the time."

"From there, I basically have been in the industry since, as a technician, then gravitating to a business owner. So I've been in the role of workshop manager and supervisor to my apprentices. That's when I saw there are some gaps here, and I thought, well, I'm current in the industry, I'm passionate about learning, and I'm passionate about teaching these guys. So it was a natural progression when this teaching opportunity came about", Robert said.

This year, the Certificate III in Bicycle Workshop Operations (AUR30220) has been redeveloped to include current, industry-focused material with a flexible delivery model to include a mix of online learning, workplace and block delivery.

TAFE Queensland is currently the only national training provider to offer this apprenticeship within the industry.

"Our current set-up at our Bracken Ridge campus features a full classroom, and a workshop that's been fitted out with benches and stands, industry donations and UNIOR tools. One of the things we have done facility-wise is a bit of planning around what our allocated space right now is and organising plans for how we can utilise the campus space once we outgrow the current set-up". Robert said. 

Current apprentice student Logan Mills started his bicycle mechanic journey after a discussion with his guidance counsellor changed the trajectory of his life.

"The course was offered to me by my guidance counsellor because I was just about to finish Grade nine, and I was discussing a different path to traditional schooling or becoming a tradie. We discussed my interests, and I mentioned my love for bikes, and they said, "I've got that, that's the course for you", so I've been doing this ever since!" Logan said.

"Before I started this course, I never really knew my way around bike tools or anything like that. I had no idea what sizes to use on what parts, so I would sit there and shuffle through all the sizes till I got the right one. Now, as a third-year apprentice, I can confidently grab the size I need straight away."

"Along with my employment in a local bike shop, this qualification has shaped my place in the bicycle community and has given me the confidence to handle bicycle repairs. Once I finish my apprenticeship, I plan to move over to New Zealand and eventually Europe to work as a bike mechanic and explore the world." Logan concluded.

Kevin Timmerman travelled from Port Douglas, just north of Cairns, to complete his last block in his qualification in the Certificate III in Bicycle Workshop Operations (AUR30220) course before Christmas.

"I've done a few different jobs in my working life. Overseas, I have been a qualified builder, then once I came to Australia, I worked in a mechanic shop and in the power industry. I have always grown up on pushbikes and saw an opportunity to work at a shop when I moved up to Port Douglas. I didn't really think it was going to be a long-term thing, but once it got started, they offered me an apprenticeship. So I took it on and I've really enjoyed it." Kevin said.

"Up north, our peak season is the wet season, Australia's winter, so we can see 600 hire bikes going in and out of the shop, and then we also have regular customers that require services and repairs."

Kevin said the flexible teaching delivery has been great to utilise his time during the peak tourist season, completing the self-paced online training component in his down time, then booking into the campus block training in the quiet business period.

"Because it’s so busy, we wouldn't be able to leave to do training blocks, but I have kept up with all my online training and my practical hours in our workshop by logging in before and after work. In this block period, we’ve learnt about suspension, which has been great, because my workshop hasn't dealt with suspension jobs much, so that was really interesting," he said.

Teacher Robert said that the course is designed to give industry workers the 'leg up' in the industry, given the changing environment with the introduction of e-bikes.

"From a shop owner's perspective, I can see from one end that there's massive demand for good quality bike mechanics, and on the other end, there's interest from current industry workers and kids wanting a cool first job. This qualification is designed to bridge that gap by showing the business owner that these interested parties can do basic bike mechanic skills, which will straight away start being a value to your business." Robert concluded.