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PURPOSE OF TRAINING & CERTIFICATION
Purpose of Training & Certification
The BC Bicycle Mechanics Guild provides training and certification to:
  • Promote professional competence
  • Ensure public safety
  • Establish consistent, verifiable standards
  • Support lifelong skill development
Certification exists to demonstrate competence, not status.
TRAINING PHILOSOPHY
Training Philosophy
Guild training is:
  • Skill-based, not ideology-based
  • Independent of brands and employers
  • Focused on real-world service conditions
  • Grounded in safety and accountability
Training emphasizes what a mechanic can do, not what they claim.
CERTIFICATION OVERVIEW
Certification Overview
The Guild maintains a tiered certification framework designed to reflect increasing levels of competence and responsibility.
Certification:
  • Is voluntary but meaningful
  • Is earned through demonstrated ability
  • May require reassessment or continuing education
No certification is permanent without continued competence.
LEVEL 1: FOUNDATIONS
Level 1 — Foundations
Intended for apprentices and developing mechanics.
Focus areas include:
  • Shop safety and best practices
  • Torque application and fastener integrity
  • Drivetrain service and adjustment
  • Brake setup and verification
  • Basic wheel service
  • Inspection and safety checks
This level establishes safe, consistent baseline competence.
LEVEL 2: PROFESSIONAL MECHANIC
Level 2 — Professional Mechanic
Intended for working mechanics performing independent service.
Focus areas include:
  • Hydraulic brake service
  • Hub and bearing service
  • Advanced wheel truing
  • Accurate diagnosis and repair planning
  • Documentation and verification procedures
This level reflects independent, professional practice.
LEVEL 3: E-BIKE SYSTEMS
Level 3 — E-Bike Systems Specialist
Intended for mechanics working with electric bicycle systems.
Focus areas include:
  • Electrical safety and battery handling
  • Motor and sensor diagnostics
  • Wiring inspection and fault identification
  • Firmware and system updates where applicable
  • Water ingress and failure analysis
Safety and risk management are emphasized at this level.
LEVEL 4: SENIOR / MENTOR
Level 4 — Senior / Mentor
Intended for highly experienced mechanics contributing to the trade.
Focus areas include:
  • Complex diagnostics
  • Assessment of other mechanics
  • Mentorship and training support
  • Standards review and development
  • Professional judgment in edge cases
This level recognizes responsibility, not authority by title.
ASSESSMENT & VERIFICATION
Assessment & Verification
Certification is granted through:
  • Practical assessment
  • Demonstration of safe procedures
  • Review of knowledge relevant to the level
  • Evaluation by qualified assessors
Written testing alone is insufficient.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Continuing Education
To maintain certification, members may be required to:
  • Complete refresher training
  • Demonstrate continued competence
  • Update skills as technology evolves
Continuing education protects both the public and the profession.
INDEPENDENCE & NEUTRALITY
Independence & Neutrality
Guild training and certification:
  • Are not controlled by manufacturers or brands
  • Do not function as sales endorsements
  • Do not require brand loyalty or affiliation
The Guild remains technically independent.
RECORDS & VERIFICATION
Records & Verification
The Guild maintains records of:
  • Certifications earned
  • Certification status
  • Applicable expiration or renewal requirements
Public verification may be provided where appropriate.
LIMITS OF CERTIFICATION
Limits of Certification
Certification:
  • Does not replace employer supervision where required
  • Does not override manufacturer instructions
  • Does not eliminate the need for professional judgment
Certification supports competence — it does not absolve responsibility.
CLOSING STATEMENT
Closing Statement
Training and certification within the BC Bicycle Mechanics Guild exist to raise the standard of the trade and protect public safety.
Competence is demonstrated, integrity is required, and safety is non-negotiable.
BC Bicycle Mechanics Guild
Competence. Integrity. Safety.
The BC Bicycle Mechanics Guild is in its founding phase and is in the process of incorporation as a British Columbia non-profit society.