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Overview
Learn the assembly, pre-delivery, inspection, maintenance, repair and restoration of motorcycles and other multi-wheeled, lightweight, all-terrain vehicles.
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 with astride seating and handlebar controls.
When a customer brings in motorcycles or all-terrain vehicles for preventative maintenance or repair, you will discuss complaints with customers or the service manager, diagnose problems and locate failures with the electrical system, engine, powertrain, suspension or frame.
You'll do this by inspecting the vehicle, listening to it operate and using testing equipment, dismantling, adjusting and repairing or replacing mechanical and electrical system parts and components, and performing routine maintenance such as cleaning and adjusting the carburetor, adjusting the clutch, brakes and drive chain, and replacing worn parts.
You'll know how to rebuild or replace parts and operate equipment such as valve seat cutters, chassis dynamometers, tire changers and computers.
To work in this trade, certification is required. This means that you must either be a registered apprentice working under the guidance of a certified journeyperson or be a certified journeyperson yourself.
Motorcycle mechanics are skilled tradespeople who are self-motivated and enjoy working in a shop environment.
This line of work is most fulfilling for those who enjoy working with their hands and finding creative solutions to problems.
To thrive in this career, it is important to have the following traits:
- 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 more than 25 kilograms
- a willingness to work long hours
- the ability and willingness to continuously upgrade their knowledge and skills.
Upon successfully completing the required working hours and apprenticeship education periods, graduates will be awarded a diploma in addition to 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.
Careers and opportunities
Our graduates may work in the following occupations. Some careers require additional experience and education.
Associated National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes: 72020, 72410, 72411, 72423, 74203.
Apprenticeship training
The term of apprenticeship for a motorcycle mechanic is four years (four 12-month periods), including:
- a minimum of 1360 hours of on-the-job training and eight weeks of classroom instruction in the first and second years
- a minimum of 1420 hours of on-the-job training and six weeks of classroom instruction in the third and fourth years.
Year 1 | Period 1
You will start by learning workplace safety, equipment, materials and tools. You will then learn equipment procedures, electrical theory and circuits, engine theory, circuits, wheels and tires, brake systems, as well as assembly and pre-delivery.
Training length: 8 weeks
Year 2 | Period 2
You will learn charging and starting systems, two-stroke top-end reconditioning, frames, suspensions, lubrication, cooling, fuels, clutches, primary drives and final drives.
Training length: 8 weeks
Year 3 | Period 3
You will learn four-stroke valve train diagnosis and service, four-stroke top-end reconditioning, ignition and safety interlock systems.
Training length: 6 weeks
Year 4 | Period 4
Your final period of training will focus on fuel, exhaust and emission controls, troubleshooting systems, lower-end service, and inspections and certification.
Training length: 6 weeks
Apprenticeship education performance
You must pass each section of the course and the AIT exam to succeed in apprenticeship education.
The passing grade for each section in a course is 70%. A passing mark on each provincial exam and the interprovincial qualification (or Red Seal Exam) is 70%.
View Alberta's Apprenticeship and Industry Training procedures
Training pathways
You can earn your journeyperson designation in one of the following ways.
The traditional training pathway begins with finding a job with an employer willing to indenture you as an apprentice. Once you are an apprentice, you will alternate between on-the-job training and educational periods.
You must apply for an apprenticeship through Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training before attending your first education period at SAIT.
Admission requirements
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 requirements
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
MyTradeSecrets
Once you have begun working as an apprentice, you can attend SAIT to complete your technical training.
You'll register for technical training at SAIT on MyTradeSecrets or you can register by phone.
How to registerAvailable intakes
Costs
2024/25 tuition and fees
The following costs are effective as of July 1, 2024.
Books or modules, along with other items for classes, are approximately $600 per period.
It's recommended you don't 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 (PPE) will be required for the program, which may be an additional cost to apprentices.
2023/24 tuition and fees
The following costs are effective until June 30, 2024.
Funding options for apprentices
Apprentices get to learn while they earn, but there are still costs to consider. Many resources are available at SAIT and federally to help support apprentices.
Financial aidInformation sessions
Prepare for a strong start in your chosen program or get the details you need to decide your future path.
Our expert staff and faculty are ready to answer your questions and provide information about the following:
- What sets SAIT apart
- An introduction to the program and area of study
- Admission requirements
- Future career paths
- Information on the earning potential and graduate employment rates.
Contact
Have more questions?
Apprenticeship training and registration
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