CONTACT: Mercedes Ross, National Director, Project Bike Tech 303-618-6233 or director@projectbiketech.org www.projectbiketech.org Interbike Booth - L6 Project Bike Tech is Launching a One-of-a-Kind Bicycle Industry Career Video Library Dillon CO, Sept 15,2017 - Project Bike Tech s Program, Bike Tech in School is a gate way for students to learn and be made aware of the vast opportunities that lie in the Bicycle industry. GOAL The ultimate goal is to inspire new generations to be passionate about bikes. These videos will serve as a tool to inform students, parents, teachers and administrators on career opportunities available in bicycle shops, and in the bike and outdoor industries by sharing real life stories. Industry leaders will expand on their role in their organization and their journey into the industry. We want to show the youth of today how they can work their way up the ladder to positions of leadership in the bicycling industry. They will also be used as marketing tools to showcase how the bicycle-outdoor industry as an amazing industry to be a part of. These will be shown to a mired of audiences including community members, politicians, corporations and businesses. The series will be broken out into two parts, each depicting different aspects of our working communities. Part I: A Day in the Life These videos will follow individuals who have built a successful career in the bike industry. These typical workday videos will be approximately 3 minutes long and aim to capture the true experience of what it looks like to have a successful career in the bike industry. The stories will consist of a narrative-style format featuring interviews with bike reps, retailers, mechanics, etc., interlaced with beautiful footage of bike shops, the subjects in action, the retail environments, and shots to capture the energy of the bike industry. Using a bike rep role as an example, we would start with a ride along with a bike rep in a car, the rep discussing products with retailers, the rep helping the retailer merchandise the product better, and beautiful shots of the bike shop(s) visited. Also included will be some history on the company as applicable. Using a Mechanic as an example, following him and representing the job as a career that many pursue be it in a store or on the race circuit. Part II: Career Interviews This set of videos will feature an individual who has made a life-long career following their passion surrounding bikes. Topics discussed in the interview will cover their various job titles, specific experiences, why they love their work and the bike industry as a whole, and recommendations for students. These videos will be 1.5 2 minutes long and aim to inspire individuals to follow their bike passion, while also showcasing the multiple career paths students can follow to have a successful career in the bike-outdoor industry. These videos will be narrative style featuring the interview footage of the subjects interlaced with the subjects at work, interacting with clients/customers/employees, riding bikes, in the office and in the community Visit booth L6 at Interbike to learn more and connect with Project Bike Tech
About Project Bike Tech Project Bike Tech (PBT) uses bicycle education as a conduit to teach core academics, enhance lives, create career opportunities and inspire new generations to be passionate about bikes. It is the only program of its kind in the country and it is an on-ramp for young adults to develop a life-long engagement with the bicycle industry and lifestyle. PBT s primary program, Bike Tech in School, is a credited high school elective that introduces students to bicycle industry careers, providing them with the skills needed to become entry-level bicycle mechanics and in-depth career counseling. In addition, the program uses bicycle mechanics as a tool to teach Common CORE and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) curriculum. Students earn two certificates, one in career tech endorsed by CTE (Career Technical Education), and the other as an entry-level bike mechanic/assembler endorsed by members of the bicycle industry. As a student enters the bike industry and employers know the training is standardized and supported by the cycling industry Project Bike Tech is celebrating its 10-year anniversary in 2017. The program got its start at the Bicycle Trip bike shop in Santa Cruz, California by the shop s owner and founder Berri Michel. Berri worked with a team from the shop to build the grassroots program from the ground up. The curriculum was created and developed by PBT along with industry partners to give students a base in bicycle mechanics. Additional modules where then introduced to encompass the bicycle retail experience including inventory, POS systems, sales and job interview prep. The Regional Occupational Program (ROP) portion of the class develops a student s resume and the Project Bike Tech Portion provides an industry-endorsed certificate to enter the work force. The PBT program is now a thriving ROP program throughout California and is spreading nationwide. Over the years, PBT has successfully introduced more than 3000 students to the bicycle industry as a career pathway. Whether graduates directly enter the workforce or continue on to college, they become lifelong supporters of the bicycle community. Project Bike Tech Pedaling Forward Through Education
Project Bike Tech Endorsed by Partners
PBT Statistics and Testimonials Overall Statistics o Program started in 2007 o Over 3,100 PBT graduates o More than 200 students enroll annually o Over 100 individual classes offered o 8 schools administering program and growing o Currently in California but expanding to Colorado and Vermont for the 2018-2019 school year o 90% Students would say they would take the class again o Endorsed by BPSA, PBMA, People for Bikes, NICA and acknowledged by NBDA o Supported by many top Cycling brands like Giant, Park Tool, Shimano, Bell Helmets, Giro, QBP and even more outside the industry School Administrator Testimonials o Every kid needs a connection to school. What is one kid s connection is not necessarily the other kid s. In pretty much every community, you can find kids that interested in bike. They can get in there and work and build a skill that they might be able to use outside of school and then it connects with all other potential pathways. Bike Shop Testimonial o Students from PBT classes are great! Highly Trainable. Already familiar with wrenching in a bike shop. Hiring Bike Tech students is more efficient, costeffective, and makes it easier for our other mechanics. Student Testimonials o You will not regret joining this class. o I m improving my resume building, professionalism, writing skills, and learning how to build bikes. o It s really practical. I ve learned the most in this class out of any other class I ve taken. o I really like Bike Tech because it is a nice change of pace. We aren t stuck at a desk. We are learning real world, transferrable skills. Because of this class, I know what I want to be when I grow up!
Sampling of PBT Alumni Employment in the Cycling Industry - Sam Cerutti 2013 PBT Graduate Now rides Professionally with Giant Bicycles USA on Team Herbalife for both Road and Cross - Kiran MacKinnon 2011 PBT Graduate Now rides professionally for Santa Cruz Bicycles Downhill Team and also works at Santa Cruz Bicycles in the engineering department - Bicycle Trip Santa Cruz, CA o 7 PBT Graduates hired as employees since 2008 o Initial bike shop to shepherd Project Bike Tech - Earn-A-Bike Summer Mentoring Program o 8 PBT Graduates hired for the program since 2014 - Santa Cruz Bicycles o 4 PBT Graduates hired since 2012 o I would love to hire more! April Ruhne, Director of HR - Scotts Valley Cycle Sport o 3 PBT Graduates hired since 2012 - Ibis Cycles Inc. Santa Cruz, CA o 2 PBT Graduates hired since 2008 - Family Cycling Center o 2 PBT Graduates hired since 2008 Other organizations that have hired PBT Graduates - Snap On Tools - Cabrillo Bike Co-Op - Santa Cruz Cycleworks - Fox Racing Shox - Life Long Sports - The Bike Station - Canepa Scotts Vally (Auto Shop for classic and collector cars)
Project Bike Tech Contact Information Interbike Booth L6 Main Press Contact Mercedes Ross National Director director@projectbiketech.org 844-728-2255 - Ext. 700 Mercedes Ross has been a leading Merchandising force in the bicycle industry, pioneering the Concept Shop platform in the early 90 s and becoming a known expert in the field over the 25 years she has been in the business. Recently being voted as one of the top 50 Influential Business Women in the bike industry lends credibility to what she brings to the table. Mercedes has also worked in many industries: Ski, Outdoor, Motorcycle, Scuba, Craft Brewing as well as having owned a Motorcycle retail store for 15 years. As an established industry leader, she gives sales team training seminars, and has been a lead speaker in both the Bicycle and Motorcycle industries at their national trade shows. Mercedes has given seminars internationally and speaks fluent German. She is a published column writer for industry magazines and has been involved in 50+ educational video segments for the Bicycle industry. Brian Fisher Assistant to the National Director info@projectbiketech.org 844-728-2255 Ext. 701
Level 1 Sample Certificate
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