Paul Longworth works as the Bike Mechanics Trainer in Frontline’s social enterprise, Frontline Bikes, at the Training & Upcycling Centre in Bluebell, Dublin 12.
Frontline Bikes was established in 2020 and provides training and up-skilling in bicycle mechanics to people in the community who have been impacted by substance misuse, long-term unemployment and those who have recently come out of prison.
CITY & GUILDS ACCREDITED TRAINING
In his role as the Bike Mechanics Trainer, Paul facilitates the trainee bike mechanics through each module in the City & Guilds Accredited Training in Bicycle Mechanics. The course is divided into Level 1 and Level 2 and once both levels are completed successfully the trainees will be qualified bike mechanics.
Paul’s day is divided in half with two sessions – with one group of trainees in the morning and another separate group in the afternoon. Throughout each session he provides instruction on a module and reviews the trainees progress to determine when they are ready to be assessed to complete one module and to move on to the next one.
HANDS ON LEARNING
The course involves a combination of practical work and theory, with trainees learning through practical instruction as well as visual demonstrations.
When a trainee begins, Paul will show them around the training centre to ensure they are familiar with the set-up of the centre and workshop and gives them an induction pack. They are then given their first task which is to learn how to strip bikes of their parts. This helps the trainees to become familiar with bikes and their components and prepares them for the next stage which is to begin going through the modules of the training course.
PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE
During the training, trainees have the opportunity to gain experience in dealing directly with customers at Frontline’s bike shop in Inchicore – this provides another step towards preparing the trainees for employment once they have completed the certification.
No working day is the same for Paul, as he may be overseeing one trainee learning how to remove brake blocks and another in building a wheel or preparing another for assessment. “For those who undertake and complete the course, it can provide self-satisfaction and enhance self-worth.”
Having experienced addiction himself, Paul understands the challenges that trainees may face with the training and their background is considered when it comes to how long it may take them to complete different modules and the overall certification. Some of the participants are just beginning to have structure and routine in their lives after coming out of addiction, long-term unemployment or after being released from prison and flexibility is important to meet them where they are at. Regular check-ins with Frontline’s team of key workers also take place during the training to assess if there are any issues or concerns or if additional support is needed.
If you are interested in joining our training programme in cycle mechanics, you can get in touch with us via your key worker or by emailing us directly at info@frontlinemc.ie.
