With youth unemployment reaching an unprecedented 22% last year, creating meaningful, long-term career opportunities for young people has never been more important.
The good news is that the UK’s security industry is fighting back, supporting its members in the recruitment of young people and celebrating the achievements of the industry’s young apprentices.
Nominations for this year’s British Security Industry Association (BSIA) Apprentice Installer Awards are now open, and the Trade Association is calling for nominations from all companies certified for their installation activities by a UKAS accredited body.
Apprentices are eligible if they are involved in the installation of alarms, CCTV, access control or a combination of these. The scheme is designed for third year and particularly outstanding second year apprentices.
Last year’s winner, Mathew Pickles of Advanced Security Systems, joined the industry following a successful work placement while in school, which led to an immediate job offer upon completion of his studies.
Mathew was nominated for his ambition and tenacity, and is now on the right path to achieving his objective of becoming installations director by his early 30s.
He has been praised by lecturers, superiors and peers alike for his likeable and reassuring personality, combined with a strong work ethic and a ‘can do’ attitude.
Elite of the security industry’s apprentices
The 2012 Apprentice Installer Awards will be presented in a glittering ceremony – complete with a three-course meal – at the BSIA’s Annual Luncheon, which will take place at the London Hilton Hotel, Park Lane on 27 June.
Last year’s Apprentice Installer Awards were presented by Lynne Featherstone MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Equalities and Criminal Information, and the event is also attended by influential media representatives from national broadcast media and the security trade press, providing significant publicity opportunities for nominated companies and winning apprentices.
James Kelly, the BSIA’s chief executive, commented: “These awards recognise the elite of the security industry’s apprentices and are a tribute to the dedication of the new blood of our industry.”
Companies wishing to nominate apprentices for the Apprentice Installer Awards can do so by completing and submitting the nomination form by 30 March.
Nomination forms are available from the BSIA’s Christine Brooks, who can be reached on (telephone) 0845 389 0743 or by e-mail at [email protected]
