Rotorua class set up to teach bike mechanic skills

One of the country's largest training organisations has set up a temporary classroom in Rotorua's Pukuatua St teaching students bike mechanic skills.

Aspire2, formed in 2015 through the acquisition of five New Zealand-based private education businesses, Cornerstone - NZ Tertiary Education Group, Ntec - National Tertiary Education Consortium, Queens Academic Group, Safety 'n Action, and Solomon Group, opened the doors to its Level 3 Certificate in Bicycle Mechanics on Monday.

The full-time course will run over 22 weeks and is tutored by Kurt Ribeiro.

Students will learn about industry legislation and standards, manufacturers and distribution, service and repair documents, assemble and set-up, and service/adjustment/replacement of steering, suspension, drive-train, frames, brakes, and tyres and hubs.

Five students are already enrolled in the course.

Nick Yerni, chief operating officer of Cornerstone, said Rotorua's New Zealand Welding School campus also fell under the Aspire2 umbrella.

"The welding school has obviously been here for some time but it is great to be able to add another course to the local programme," Mr Yerni said. "And obviously a bike mechanics course in Rotorua was a great fit."

He said Aspire2 was also looking to extend its presence.

"Earlier this year we opened a new trades training campus in Manukau and it is something we are keen to replicate here."

Manukau's Aspire2 Trades is a 4000sq m purpose-built facility delivering training in high-demand areas such as welding, painting, CAD (Computer Aided Design) and forklift operations and is set to accommodate around 500 students each year.