The FIA has published its twice-annual study into the market condition of the fire industry in the UK, revealing slow growth and low recruitment levels, particularly of apprentices.
The fire sector is experiencing a “gradual recovery,” according to the report, when compared with the previous six months, but tender prices are decreasing and suppliers’ prices are increasing, putting a squeeze on businesses supplying fire safety solutions.
The private sector remains the dominant force in fire safety investment, as public sector budgets continue to be either frozen or reduced by central government. Fifty-eight percent of companies said that enquiries in general were increasing, with 40 percent saying they received more enquiries from the private sector, compared with 18 percent for the public sector.
Fifty percent of companies received more orders from the private sector; 20 percent received more from the public sector; and 23 percent indicated that order levels were about the same.
Steady recruitment
It was encouraging to see that just 10 percent of companies have reduced the number of skilled staff they employ, but a plurality of companies (48 percent) have seen no change in the number of skilled staff they employ.
However, a worrying trend for the future of the industry is that 80 percent of businesses surveyed have not recruited a single apprentice in the past six months. Youth unemployment is a particularly thorny issue for the government, and it has taken measures to push apprentices for employers. A small business that has not previously employed an apprentice can receive a grant of up to GB pound 1,500 towards the cost of hiring them.
The NSI supported a campaign across the security and fire industry — 100 in 100 — which aimed to place 100 apprentices in roles in the 100 days between IFSEC International in May and tonight’s Security Excellence Awards. Research conducted by the NSI around the campaign revealed that 77 percent of employers believe that apprenticeships make their businesses more competitive and 80 percent of employers believe that apprenticeships reduce staff turnover.
Third-party accreditation
Feedback from those who were surveyed included customers wanting more for less, and low online prices continuing to be a problem for businesses. Forty-two percent said that tender prices were decreasing, compared to 17 percent who said that tender prices were increasing. Meanwhile 59 percent said they thought that suppliers’ prices have increased at the same time, perhaps indicating why companies are reluctant to recruit apprentices.
However, companies are investing in training and accreditation, with 56 percent of businesses intending to increase workforce training in the next six months. An encouraging 30 percent also saw an increase in tenders that required third-party certification.
One respondent wrote that “third party accreditation (BAFE SP205) has certainly increased my competitiveness and the amount of work I am winning.”
The FIA’s market conditions survey received a total of 86 responses from 62 members and 24 non-members.
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