Youth Apprenticeships
At Bikes Not Bombs, Youth Apprentices are employed over the course of three years. Youth Apprenticeships are designed to place graduates of Bike School in various work roles in the Bike School, Bicyclists Organizing for Community Action (BOCA) program and Operations, and the Bike Shop to build critical workplace and develop post secondary plans to achieve economic mobility.
Applications are currently open for our Winter 2025 cohort of Youth Apprentices! Applications will close by January 13th, 2025.
Youth Apprenticeships are designed to place youth and young adults in various work roles in the Bike School, Bicyclists Organizing for Community Action (BOCA) program, and the Bike Shop & Operations teams to build critical workplace and develop post secondary plans to achieve economic mobility. Many Apprentices come to us as graduates of our Bike School programs.
To be eligible for employment, all applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Must be ages 14-18 during the employment period
- Must be a full-time resident of the City of Boston
- Must be legally permitted to work in the United States
Applications are currently open for our Winter 2025 cohort. Applications will close by January 13th, 2025.
Questions about Youth Apprenticeships?
Contact Elyse Oliver, Director of Youth Pathways at elyse@bikesnotbombs.org
Bicyclists Organizing for Community Action (BOCA) Apprenticeship
Through Bicyclists Organizing for Community Action (BOCA), youth and adults work together to grow healthy communities where all people, especially Boston youth, can thrive.
BOCA Youth Apprentices lead and organize members of all ages to increase bicycle safety and cycling opportunities in our neighborhoods, fight for youth rights, youth jobs, economic, racial, and environmental, and transit justice.
BOCA Apprentices engage in outreach and provide community services such as Chain Reaction (mobile bike repair) and Tool Time (weekly drop-in repair).
Bike Recycling and International Shipping Apprenticeship
Bicycle recycling is critically important to Bikes Not Bombs' operations. Bike Recycling and International Shipping Apprentices are involved in all aspects of recycling: collections, bicycle and parts sorting, and distribution.
With the support of Youth Apprentices, Bikes Not Bombs has distributed over 80,000 bicycles to our international partners to date.
Bike School Apprenticeship
Bikes Not Bombs Bike School programs are led by Youth Apprentices, program alumni who are trained to teach mechanics lessons, lead group rides, engage participants in conversations and campaigns around social justice, and be amazing peer leaders.
Bike School Youth Apprentices will gain valuable experience in planning and implementing curriculum for four Bike School programs: Bike Institute, Earn-A-Bike, On-The-Bike, and Sisters In Action.
Bike Shop Apprenticeship
Bikes Not Bombs reclaims and refurbishes hundreds of bicycles per year through its full-service and retail bike shop. Additionally, the BNB shop stocks a robust inventory of donated and new items for sale.
Bike Shop Youth Apprentices will master bike part analysis, inventory management, bike mechanics and refurbishment, and sales and customer service competencies. By working with donated bicycles that are processed through our recycling program, Apprentices working in the shop are all but certain to be master mechanics by the end of their apprenticeship!