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Motorcycle Mechanic |
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Select Alternate Year - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 - 2008 - 2009
There have been no changes to this trade in the year of 2009.
Motorcycle mechanics assemble, maintain, repair and restore motorcycles and other multi-wheeled lightweight all-terrain vehicles that do not have lateral seating and that are equipped with handlebar controls.
When customers bring in motorcycles or all-terrain vehicles for preventative maintenance or repair, motorcycle mechanics:
Motorcycle mechanics who work for motorcycle dealerships also assemble new machines.
In colder climates such as Alberta's, motorcycle repair work is seasonal. Motorcycle mechanics are very busy doing diagnostic and repair work in the warmer months, and may encourage customers to have preventative maintenance work done in the winter. However, because of the seasonal nature of the work, motorcycle mechanics must be skilled in other types of repair work (e.g. repairing snowmobiles) to remain employed year-round.
Motorcycle mechanics usually work indoors in shops. The work is noisy when engines are being tested. Ventilation systems reduce the risk involved in working near exhaust fumes.
The work is most rewarding for those who like precise work, love motorcycling, are interested in mechanics and enjoy creative problem-solving.
To be successful in their trade, motorcycle mechanics need:
Motorcycle mechanics are employed by motorcycle dealerships or repair shops, or are self-employed.
Journeyperson wage rates vary, but generally range from $15 to $28 an hour plus benefits.
Experienced motorcycle mechanics may advance to supervisory positions or set up their own businesses.
To work as a Motorcycle Mechanic in Alberta, a person must be a registered apprentice or a certified journeyperson or hold a recognized trade certificate. (see Recognized Trade Certificates)
Motorcycle mechanics learn their skills by registering with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training to participate in apprenticeship training and, upon successful completion, are awarded the Alberta Journeyman Certificate.
A motorcycle mechanic who holds a valid trade certificate from Alberta or from another Canadian province or territory may apply to write the Interprovincial Exam and, if successful, be granted a Red Seal under the Interprovincial Standards Program. The Red Seal is recognized throughout most of Canada.
A motorcycle mechanic who holds a certificate that was issued by another recognized apprenticeship authority in Canada (province, territory or federal jurisdiction) may apply for an Alberta Equivalency document under the Equivalency Program.
Motorcycle mechanics who:
may be eligible to apply for trade certification under the Qualification Certificate Program.
Individuals possessing a valid Alberta Journeyman Certificate, an Alberta Occupational Certificate, or a credential that is recognized as equivalent to an Alberta trade or occupational certificate are eligible to receive a Blue Seal business credential after completing the necessary requirements.
The term of apprenticeship for a motorcycle mechanic is 4 years (four 12-month periods) including a minimum of 1360 hours of on-the-job training and 8 weeks of technical training in the first and second year, and a minimum of 1420 hours of on-the-job training and 6 weeks technical training in the third and fourth year.
To learn the skills required of a motorcycle mechanic in Alberta and be issued an Alberta Journeyman Certificate, a person must:
Most employers prefer to hire high school graduates and may select apprentices from among their current employees.
- during on-the-job training, apprentice motorcycle mechanics earn at least 55 percent of the journeyperson wage rate in their place of employment in the first year, 65 percent in the second, 75 percent in the third, and 90 percent in the fourth year.
- select an educational institution that offers training for Motorcycle Mechanic apprentices, and a time to attend training (see Technical Training Locations and Schedule)
- determine requirements for enrolling at the selected institution, and forward completed enrollment form to the selected institution (see Enrollment Instructions)
Apprentices may attempt the Interprovincial Exam in the final period of their apprenticeship training and, if successful, be granted a Red Seal. (see Exam Counselling Sheets)
When apprentices attend technical training, they are required to pay the applicable tuition fee and purchase course supplies.
Grants, scholarships and other financial assistance may be available. For more information see Financial Assistance or contact an Apprenticeship and Industry Training Office.
To qualify for a Red Seal, a person must:
- an Alberta trade certificate or completion of apprenticeship certificate, OR
- a journeyperson or completion of apprenticeship certificate issued by another Canadian province or territory
To qualify for an Equivalency document based on a recognized credential, a person must:
A person who has a recognized certificate, as described above, does not require an Alberta Equivalency document to work in the trade in Alberta. However, some employers may require an Alberta Equivalency document as proof that the certificate is equivalent to the requirements of the trade in Alberta.
To qualify for a Qualification Certificate based on Canadian credentials, a person must:
To qualify for an Alberta Qualification Certificate based on work experience, a person must:
- a certified automotive service technician must have at least 4,260 hours and 36 months of ‘hands-on’ work experience as a motorcycle mechanic
- a certified agricultural equipment technician must have at least 6,300 hours and 54 months of 'hands-on' work experience as a motorcycle mechanic
- a certified heavy equipment technician (all branches except transport trailer mechanic) must have at least 6,300 hours and 54 months of 'hands-on' work experience as a motorcycle mechanic
- a certified heavy equipment technician – transport trailer mechanic must have at least 7,116 hours and 60 months of 'hands-on' work experience as a motorcycle mechanic
- a certified outdoor power equipment technician must have at least 5,076 hours and 42 months of 'hands-on' work experience as a motorcycle mechanic
Time spent on supervisory or foreman duties, counter work, heading the tool crib, or on a training course is NOT counted as ‘hands-on’ work experience.
This application fee covers the verification and assessment of the applicant's work experience hours/months as well as one attempt at the Qualification Certificate theory examination. The Qualification Certificate practical examination requires a separate fee as identified on the application noted above.
