IFSEC 2011 got off to a flying start on International Visitors Day. Hot on the heels of Frost & Sullivan’s latest report examining trends in the European security market being published, The SMT SELECT Lounge played host to the official launch of the ‘100 in 100’ project.
Energised by Skills for Security and CSL DualCom, and fully supported by the British Security Industry Association, the National Security Inspectorate and the Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board, ‘100 in 100’ is wholly focused on placing 100 apprenticeships in roles across the industry within a 100-day timeframe… starting from now.
Although linked to the Engineers of Tomorrow programme – formerly the Apprentice Skills Challenge, and run at IFSEC each year – this scheme is not just about finding placements for potential engineers.
Rather, it’s concerned with sourcing and nurturing new blood to be employed right across the security spectrum.
In essence, 100% funding is available for would-be security sector apprentices in the 16-18 age range, with available fiscal support scaled by age from that base point.
For employers who want to take part there’s absolutely no catch – merely the opportunity to mirror the current Government’s thinking by leveraging the opportunity to employ quality candidates who will benefit the host business both in the short and longer terms, and for a minimal economic outlay.
Not only that, all of the arrangements for those security companies who want to take part in this brilliant scheme – the official Media Partner for which is Info4Security.com/SMT Online – are taken care of, whether that be in terms of assistance in sourcing apprentices, appointing the college(s) at which they’ll study, providing assessors or drawing down the crucial funding.
Security: a “credible environment” in which to work
During his presentation at the official launch event, held in The SMT SELECT Lounge within Hall 3 at Birmingham’s NEC, Simon Banks – commercial director at CSL DualCom – told the assembled audience: “We want to show young people that the security industry is both a credible and a ‘cool’ environment in which to work.”
While not wishing to decry the benefits of a university education, but at the same time mirroring the thoughts of many, Banks went on to stress that there’s arguably great need for “a sea change” in terms of how we view the overarching arena of further education in the UK.
“We now live in a society where university has almost become an obligatory path for young people to follow,” suggested Banks, “but attendance at university isn’t always necessarily the right or best path for all youngsters to follow. In short, what I’m saying is that university isn’t universally appropriate.”
In hugely positive mode, Banks stated: “We’ve already had buy-in to this scheme from Kings Security, who will be taking on six apprentices. Texecom has also pledged to employ two apprentices. At CSL DualCom, we’ve put our money where our mouth is and we’ll be taking on three new apprentices as part of the scheme later on this year.”
Apparently, there are already between 25 and 30 apprentices earmarked to enrol in the ‘100 in 100’ scheme, which represents nothing other than a fantastic start to proceedings.
“Companies who take part are going to benefit from having brand new, massively keen and enthusiastic young people in their midst,” enthused Banks.
“While the apprentices are furthering their career prospects, at the same time they’ll be helping to take their employer’s business forward. There’ll be a competitive edge there, and one buoyed by Government funding. It really is a win-win scenario.”
Not surprisingly, Banks’ words were enthusiastically received by a large audience gathered in The SMT SELECT Lounge.
Among those in attendance were Jeff Little (CEO at the NSI), the BSIA’s technical director Alex Carmichael and the Trade Association’s chairman Julie Kenny (who’s also a commissioner with the UK Commission for Employment and Skills), the SSAIB’s technical manager David Profit and Jim Ludwig (managing director at Texecom).
Statistics need to be changed… and improved
Embellishing the theme of the day, Skills for Security’s CEO David Greer commented: “If we’re to believe the statistics, close on one million youngsters are currently unemployed in the UK. We need to change that statistic. That’s why, from a social perspective, the ‘100 in 100’ scheme is absolutely the right thing to do.”
Explaining that he’d like to see a Roll of Honour for the scheme gradually unfurl on the digital pages of Info4Security/SMT Online as more and more companies jump on board, Greer added: “What makes this scheme different is that it’s all about employers engaging with enthusiastic youngsters in a project which also makes sound commercial sense.”
Interestingly, a National Apprenticeship Service study conducted last year showed that:
- 83% of employers who employ apprentices rely on such programmes to provide the skilled workers they need for the future
- 77% of employers believe apprenticeships make them more competitive
- 80% of employers feel that apprenticeships reduce staff turnover
- 57% of employers questioned reported a high proportion of their apprentices progressing to management positions within the host organisation
- 80% of employers who make use of apprentices agree that they help render a more productive workplace
- 88% of employers who employ apprentices believe that apprenticeships lead to a more motivated and satisfied workforce
- 81% of consumers favour using a company which takes on apprentices
- one-in-five employers take advantage of the extra support available, and are hiring more apprentices to help them through what are presently tough economic times
View from a leading manufacturer
Texecom is celebrating its 25th Anniversary in 2011. In conversation with SMT Online, the company’s UK managing director Jim Ludwig openly explained that he’s “really excited” about ‘100 in 100’.
“Security products benefit society in so many ways,” said Ludwig. “This scheme represents a way in which we can bring in new people, have them engage with this industry of ours and then they’ll realise that this is a wonderfully opportune time for them to be a part of what it is we all do. We’re more than happy to endorse the ‘100 in 100’ initiative.”
For further information on the ‘100 in 100’ project, contact Skills for Security’s Customer Relations Team on (telephone 08450 750111), or send an e-mail to: [email protected]
If you’re visiting IFSEC on Wednesday of this week, pop along to Seminar Theatre 1 in Hall 5 at 2.30 pm, when CSL DualCom’s Simon Banks will be making a further presentation about the scheme
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