YWCA British Columbia

About YWCA Gear Up

YWCA Gear Up is a bike mechanic employment program designed for youth aged 15-30. Many of the participants face multiple barriers to employment, such as homelessness or housing insecurity, lack of essential workplace skills due to incomplete education, a history of addiction or mental health issues, or a lack of employment opportunities stemming from insufficient local work experience or skills relevant to the current labor market.

The program spans 13 weeks, beginning with five weeks of workshops that encompass 40 hours of bike mechanic training, life skills and employment workshops, as well as various certifications including First Aid and SuperHost customer service training. Following the workshop phase, participants engage in a six-week job placement at a local bike shop. The final two weeks of the program focus on providing follow-up support and assistance in job search endeavors, aiming to facilitate participants in securing sustainable employment within the bike shop industry.