PSIJanuary2018

APPRENTICES
Engineers of tomorrow -
needed today!
Richard Jenkins, Chief Executive of
NSI reveals all that installers need to
know about finding and bringing on
new talent in the security sector
The fire and security sector is highly
competitive when it comes to finding and
retaining technically competent people.
According to the 2017 Engineering Today Survey,
nearly 5.7 million employees work in engineering
enterprises in the UK, representing just over 19%
of the total UK workforce.
The engineering workforce is getting older, and
in line with the rest of the UK economy, the
proportion of young workers in engineering (aged
under 25, especially) has been steadily
decreasing over the last ten years. Engineering
also continues to be male-dominated. Women
make up 46% of the UK workforce as a whole, yet
in engineering just one in eight are women, and
only 7% of those on the Engineering Register are
women. The UK has the lowest percentage of
women engineers in Europe and contrasts with
Russia and the former Warsaw Pact countries who
report a 50/50 spilt between the genders. The UK
is clearly lagging behind.
Projections for the growth in engineering jobs
indicate the UK is facing a possible 41% shortfall
come 2022. It is clear that the same skills gap is
apparent in the security and fire systems
installation arena.
How is Government helping?
The school curriculum has adopted a new
programme known as STEM (science, technology,
engineering and maths) to enhance interest and
engagement at an early age in these key technical
subjects. The programme includes the
recruitment of STEM Ambassadors - volunteers
from a wide range of STEM related jobs and
disciplines across the UK – to offer their time and
enthusiasm to schools to help bring STEM
subjects to life and demonstrate their value in life
and careers and inspire young people in the STEM
subjects.
A new apprenticeship
programme
Of course enhancing formal education is one
aspect, but many young people leave school
without a clear idea about their future.
As part of the Government’s Trailblazer
initiative, an employer group with the support of
key industry stakeholders has developed a fire,
emergency and security systems technicians’
apprenticeship. Launched in early 2017, this Level
3 apprenticeship takes 36 months to complete. It
offers a core module, a choice of ‘4 pathways’ or
Finding your apprentice
The Fire and Security industry has a diverse range of career
paths including engineering, IT, product design, marketing,
sales and many more. Apprentices for Fire & Security offers
potential candidates a credible route into a solid future career
and the opportunity to earn while they learn.
Employers looking to develop new talent for
their business can match with a candidate in an
array of fields within these sectors using the
Apprentices for Fire and Security website.
Projections for the
growth in engineering
jobs indicate the UK
is facing a possible
41% shortfall come
2022. It is clear that
the same skills gap is
apparent in the
security and fire
systems installation
arena
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