A shortage of motorcycle instructors could be preventing new riders from taking their CBT, according to Phoenix Motorcycle Training, one of the largest training schools in the UK. Delaying a CBT could even be putting some potential riders off motorcycling altogether.
Phoenix awards about 6000 CBT certificates each year, but according to the company’s owner and chief instructor Mark Jaffe, they could have issued more, if they had sufficient instructors.

Speaking to Visor Down he said: “The lack of motorcycle instructors is a real hindrance in getting more people on two wheels. At the moment, we have more instructors wanting to sign up for courses than we can take on because we don’t have enough instructors to train them.”

He expressed surprise that more motorcyclists weren’t choosing instruction as a possible career, pointing out that applicants with Phoenix didn’t need to be trained professionals, just have had a full clean motorcycle licence and at least three years riding experience – Phoenix trains up instructors, including a Level 3 Award in Education and Training, and once qualified, instructors could expect a potential salary of up to £40,000 per year. The company currently has full and part-time vacancies in Milton Keynes, Cwmbran, Colchester, Southampton, Bognor Regis and Bristol.

At the BMF, Jim Freeman said, “The BMF have supported Phoenix as our Blue Riband Advanced Rider Course partners for many years. Blue Riband is advanced training recognised by DVSA, but as Mark points out the bedrock of bike training is at the CBT level. If you are a full clean licence holder with only 3 years experience and working with new riders sounds more interesting and rewarding than what you do at the moment, give Phoenix a call. Help create the future of motorcycling! ”

Written by Peter Henshaw

Top image courtesy of Phoenix Motorcycle Training