Video: Apprentices for Fire & Security 2016

Apprentices for Fire and Security has already helped kick-start the careers of more than 3,000 young apprentices.

Co-founded by Skills for Security and CSL group managing director Simon Banks the scheme was set up to bridge a skills gap identified in the security and fire sectors. Check out the latest video from the people behind the scheme – also backed by SSAIB, NSI, BSIA, FIA, FPA, BAFE and UBM – which explains the scheme’s benefits to both firms that recruit apprentices and the wider industry.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7i3oB1cexrc

“There’s been an ongoing drought of talent within the electrotechnical skills sector,” Simon Banks recently told IFSEC Global. “As a result, simple supply and demand will increase salaries to a level that employers can’t afford.

“We must flood our sector with skills to enable businesses to remain competitive and provide sustainable careers with longevity and opportunity.  Managed career progression is vital.

“Young people have to see a way forward within their current business – greener grass doesn’t always mean changing to another company.  Losing key people is stifling to any size of business.

“This is only compounded if your competition values them more – retention of key employees requires constant employer diligence, trust, integrity and refreshing challenges to keep things interesting.

“Every apprentice must be given access to a clear programme of academia to support their everyday practical learning experience.  When complete these young people have a recession-resistant career for life that can span multiple disciplines.”

Below is a video about the Engineers of Tomorrow competition, which helps to promote Apprentices for Fire & Security and takes place annually at IFSEC International.

Over three days numerous apprentice engineers pit their skills against one another in a security installation competition.

Competitors have 90 minutes in which to install and find faults with a security system. The overall winners and their employers are invited to the prestigious Security Excellence Awards, which take place in November in London, where the overall winner for 2016 will be announced to claim a £1,000 prize.