Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Gus K on June 14, 2012 at 21:12

I thought it had also finished. Good news that it is still continuing. Thanks for the heads up.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by David Southern on June 14, 2012 at 21:13

I don't have SACE, as it hadn't been invented when I was at school.  Does this mean that I am eligible?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by GlenM on June 14, 2012 at 21:56

I don't know.  I suggest that you ring up and find out

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Don (Who's lost?) Nairn on June 14, 2012 at 22:31

If it is the equivalent of year eleven does this suggests that they think anybody who finished school is too smart to be a bike mechanic?

Alternatively considering rocket scientists probably have a PHd in a science discipline (higher than SACE stage 1)

Does this mean that not only the typical bike mechanic is not a rocket scientist but that rocket scientists are prevented from becoming bike mechanics because they are too well studied (and possibly clever).

I wonder what the bicycle industry thinks about denying training to clever talented people and reserving this course for high school drop outs?

Or is it just a "lifestyle course" :-)

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by heather on June 15, 2012 at 1:08

Don, adding to your thoughts. Does this mean that a rocket scientist who wants to get out of the rat-race, or stop developing weapons of war, cannot retrain as a bike mechanic to drop out in Byron Bay?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Don (Who's lost?) Nairn on June 15, 2012 at 2:58

I would suggest that many rocket scientists may not have the hands on skills to be good mechanics.

What they would want to do if they were looking for a life change would be a personal thing.

While it seems likely that bike maintenance compared to rocket science is basic.

It seems that anybody who successfully completed high school is not entitled to enrol in the course.

I think it is also appropriate to remember that many space projects have other applications than war.

For instance GPS is reliant on a network of satellites that would be maintained by people who could broadly be described as "rocket scientists"

Is it comforting for the people who send their bike to a mechanic to think that the person who worked on their bike may not have finished high school when they are doing a high speed decent?

If I worked in the bicycle industry I would find it highly insulting that the training is not offered to the most talented applicant but someone who may have only successfully completed year ten at school.

How would applicants feel being told you are too well educated to learn to be a bike mechanic?

However if you do have a university education and want to learn about bike maintenance like everybody else you are welcome to come down to the bike workshop on Saturday mornings.

While this will be informal and no certificate of attendance will be offered it will be a hands on experience with one on one tuition if needed.

If you are worried about breaking your bike you can always learn on bikes for refugees bikes.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by heather on June 15, 2012 at 19:31

I would suggest that many rocket scientists may not have the hands on skills to be good mechanics.

Another assumption in this discussion, and not necessarily true. Depends on the person.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Don (Who's lost?) Nairn on June 15, 2012 at 19:46

I am certain it would depend on the person.

However having worked at a university for 25 years many very clever academic people spend an enormous amount of time reading.

You can learn a lot from reading but practical hands on skills are often not learnt from reading.

I am certain that if they applied themselves they would catch on very quickly but hands on work often doesn't require a PHd.

• ▶ Reply