The folks at QBP sent us this release and we wanted to make sure all the women bike mechanics who peruse our site are aware of this opportunity to receive one of 16 scholarships for this fantastic program. Read below and don’t dilly dally! Applications will only be accepted through October 31, 2016 qbp.com/womensscholarship
QBP and Partners Invite Diverse Applicants for Women’s Bike Mechanic Scholarship
Photo – Michaela Albanese for Pretty Damned Fast
The QBP Women’s Bike Mechanic Scholarship Program is back for its fourth year! QBP and title sponsors SRAM, Park Tool, Michelin, and United Bicycle Institute (UBI), along with Gold level sponsor Jagwire, and Silver level sponsors Saris, Stan’s NoTubes, Kryptonite, Swiftwick, White Lightning, and DT Swiss are pleased to offer 16 scholarships for an all-women’s class of Professional Repair and Shop Operations at UBI.
The scholarship was created with the recognition that the bike industry needs to reach out to more women and serve them more effectively. It’s dedicated to increasing gender diversity of people on bikes by supporting the development of women working in bike shops. In its first three years of operation, over 1,600 applications were received.
“Through the scholarship program, we wish to create a stronger pipeline of diverse bicycle professionals. By increasing diversity among shop staff and ultimately bicycle companies, we believe we can grow the diversity of bike ridership in the United States. For that reason, we encourage women of color to apply” says Alix Magner, QBP Director of Sales. “Another key goal of the scholarship is to help advance specialty retail by making shops more inviting for women riders. The scholarship winners we select can go back to their communities better trained and better equipped to serve women and all customers.”
The scholarship opportunity is aimed at women who are aspiring or experienced bike mechanics as well as those looking to increase their technical knowledge to further their career in the cycling industry. “QBP is proud to have co-created this program with SRAM, and to lead the effort to grow women in the bike industry. We are delighted to have so many great partners sponsoring this important program,” added Lori Richman, QBP Director of Organization Development and Women’s Bike Mechanic Scholarship Leader.
Recipients will receive a full tuition scholarship to attend UBI’s Professional Shop Repair and Operations Workshop. Additionally, lodging will be provided at the Ashland, Oregon campus. Scholarship recipients must be available to attend the class from January 30–February 10, 2017. Recipients will receive a small stipend upon completion of the class to help offset travel and meal expenses.
Applicants must be U.S. residents who are currently employed at a bike shop in the U.S. and must be woman-identifying. QBP and partners encourage women of color and women identifying as trans, non-binary, gender non-conforming, and intersex individuals to apply for the scholarship.
Interested parties can apply at qbp.com/womensscholarship. Applications will be accepted from September 30, 2016 through October 31, 2016. Winners will be announced on or before January 6, 2017.
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