It’s competition time

SKILLS FOR SECURITY

This month sees 16 of the best fi re and security apprentice engineers go head to head to be crowned UK's Engineers of Tomorrow (EoT) and WorldSkills (WSUK) champions

The competition, which encompasses two separate events – one for electronic security installers and the other for installers of fire safety devices – aims to help tackle the growing engineering skills gap and attract and retain the next generation of security and fire systems installers. This year’s competition saw over 240 entrants take part across the two competitions, a number only set to increase as the competition continues to grow. This is the first year the fire alarm competition has been included as part of the WSUK portfolio and is a fantastic opportunity to shine a light on the importance of life safety systems that keep people and properties protected.

The final of this year’s competition will take place in Barking and Dagenham College. Skills for Security who are contracted with WSUK as a competition organising partner to run and manage the event on behalf of the fire and security sector. Skills for Security, as the leading sector apprenticeship and training provider, works closely with partners throughout the sector to ensure the competition is delivered above industry standards.

The competition is a gruelling two-day event where the apprentices need to survey, design, plan, install, commission, repair, maintain, and audit fire and security systems. The competition is designed in such a way to be a level above the standard of even the best Engineers in the UK. The purpose of this is that the apprentices are challenged above their normal day-to-day duties. To do this, they will be using the latest technologies like Texecom Cloud, CSL Gemini and HIK Connect to carry out full remote maintenance and diagnostic activities throughout the competition.

The competition couldn't be a success without our partners and friends, and this year is no different. SSAIB and the NSI auditors will work closely with lead judge Darrell Gilmour (SfS) to assess and judge this year's competition. Darrell says, "having the leading inspectorates from both the NSI and SSAIB really adds great value to the judging process. I am both thrilled and excited to be leading this year’s judging for the competition." The fire and security sector is wellrepresented at this year's competition. With all four nations being involved in the competition, we have finalists from Scotland, Northern Ireland, the North West of England and the South. We are delighted to announce this year’s finalists are:

(Training providers | employer is in brackets) • Bradley Stevens (Skills for Security | Macaw Security Solutions)

As part of this column you can ask David questions directly about training and apprenticeships. We will aim, to publish the question and answer in the next column. If you want to participate in this, then email info@skillsforsecurity.org.uk I am a manufacturer and I want to be involved in supporting training and skills in the sector, how can I help? Please reach out to me directly and we can discuss sponsorship & partnership d.scott@skillsforsecurity.org.uk