Overview
Learn the assembly, pre-delivery, inspection, maintenance, repair and restoration of motorcycles and other multi wheeled, lightweight all-terrain vehicles to be an integral part of the movement of materials in a wide variety of industries including agriculture, forestry, health, manufacturing, mining, oil and gas, transportation and retail industries.
If you take pride in precise work, love motorcycling and like mechanical problem-solving, you will enjoy a career as a motorcycle mechanic.
As a motorcycle mechanic, your duties will include assembly, pre-delivery, inspection, maintenance, repair and restoration of motorcycles and other multi-wheeled lightweight all-terrain vehicles that have astride seating and handlebar controls.
When a customer brings in motorcycles or all-terrain vehicles for preventative maintenance or repair, your job will be to discuss complaints with customers or the service manager, diagnose problems and locate failures with the electrical system, engine, powertrain, suspension or frame by inspecting the vehicle, listening to it operate and using testing equipment, dismantle, adjust and repair or replace mechanical and electrical system parts and components, perform routine maintenance such as cleaning and adjusting the carburetor, adjusting the clutch, brakes and drive chain, and replacing worn parts, know how to rebuild or replace parts and operate equipment such as valve seat cutters, chassis dynamometers, tire changers and computers.
This is a compulsory trade — to work in this trade, you need to hold a recognized trade certificate or be a registered apprentice.
Is this the right fit for me?
To be successful in their trade, motorcycle mechanics must have:
- mechanical aptitude
- customer relations skills
- interest and pride in their work
- the strength, stamina, and ability to use proper lifting techniques to lift items weighing in excess of 25 kilograms
- a willingness to work long hour
- the ability and willingness to continuously upgrade their knowledge and skills
Credentials
Upon successfully completing the required working hours and apprenticeship education periods, graduates will be awarded journeyperson status by Alberta's Apprenticeship and Industry Training.
This is a Red Seal Endorsed trade — a recognizable standard that allows tradespeople to work across Canada.
Career opportunities
Start your career by finding an employer who is willing to indenture you as an apprentice.
Motorcycle mechanics are employed by motorcycle dealerships or repair shops or are self-employed.
After becoming a journeyperson, you may advance to supervisory positions or take on new apprentices. Some journeypersons go on to run their own businesses – we can help you build your business with our Blue Seal business certificate.
Admission and completion
To enter an apprenticeship, you must have the educational qualifications required or recommended education for the trade to which you apply.
Entrance requirements are monitored and set by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.
Minimum requirements
Successful completion of the following courses:
- English 20-2
- Math 20-3
- Science 10
OR
A pass mark in all five Canadian General Educational Development (GED) tests
OR
Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Entrance Exam
Recommended path
Apprentices with an Alberta High School Diploma that includes the following courses:
- English 30-2
- Math 30-3
- Physics 30 OR Chemistry 30 OR Science 30
- Related career and technology studies (CTS) courses
How to register
Registration for apprenticeship education is run through Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training. Learn how you can register for your next intake.
Apprenticeship and Industry Training Client Services
1.800.248.4823
tradesecrets.alberta.ca
Suite 200 Willow Park Centre
10325 Bonaventure DR. SE
Calgary, AB
After you register
Email is the primary source of communication after you have registered for your intake. Please ensure your personal email account is managed appropriately to receive our emails, files and communications. We recommend you add the sait.ca domain to your safe senders' list or you risk missing critical email messages.
Training
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 apprenticeship education in the first and second year followed by a minimum of 1420 hours of on-the-job training and 6 weeks of apprenticeship education in the third and fourth year.
apprenticeship education performance
To be successful in apprenticeship education, an apprentice must pass each section of the course and pass the AIT exam. The passing grade for each section in the course is a 65%. A passing mark on each provincial exam Exam and the Interprovincial Qualification (or Red Seal Exam) is 70%.
Costs 2022/23
Tuition and fees*
| Period | Tuition fees | SAIT fees | Saitsa fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $960 | $231 | $72 | $1,263 |
| 2 | $960 | $231 | $72 | $1,263 |
| 3 | $960 | $231 | $90 | $1,521 |
| 4 | $960 | $231 | $90 | $1,521 |
SAIT fees
Campus recreation fee: $49
Lab and material fee: $82
Student support fee: $50
Student technology fee: $50
Books and supplies*
- Books or modules along with other items for class average out to $600 per period.
- It is recommended that you do not purchase books or modules ahead of time as they might be outdated by the time you attend classes and they cannot be returned to the bookstore.
- Personal Protective Equipment will be required for the program, which may be an additional cost to apprentices.
*Tuition, fees, books and supply costs are subject to change.