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Skills competitions
SKILLS
Filling the skills gap
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David Scott, Managing Director of Skills for Security looks at how the industry is addressing the skills shortage in the sector
Engagement in the Skills for Security technical fire and security apprenticeship is increasing, with 2000 apprentices enrolled at a number of centres across the UK, which is great news for those of us committed in securing the industry’s continued future growth. However, as positive that this figure is we urgently need more to fill the gap.
Suppose we compare ourselves like for like with a similar sector, such as electrical installation for a moment - this sector currently employs 300,000 skilled people, of which 5% are apprentices. In comparison, the fire and security sector employs 100,000 skilled people of which only 2% are apprentices. Based on these figures there is still considerable improvements to be made; although 5,000 apprentices would be in line with the electrical sector, in order to eradicate our skills-shortage we need 10,000 apprentices enrolled on programmes throughout the UK.
These figures raise the question why are there fewer apprentices? This is down to several factors, which the sector is hard at work ensuring no longer remain a barrier to joining the industry:
Not every employer is aware there is an apprenticeship for fire and security professionals: the only way to professionalize the sector is through competency-based learning such as an apprenticeship. If we ever want to be respected in the same way that electricians and other trades are, the sector needs to get behind the recruitment and enrollment of apprentices. I do believe we are starting to see this with the increase in numbers over the last few years.
National Electrco-technical Training NET, which govern the End Point Assessment for the fire and security apprenticeship, are doing good work in professionalising the sector through a robust testing system. The work that NET and the ECS are doing with experienced workers will be another step in this direction, where you can only achieve a gold ECS card by proving competency in the sector ( visit ecscard.org.uk).
Apprenticeship training is not accessible: for as long as I can remember, there have been barriers to education. If you have a barrier to learning, please reach out to us on info@skillsforsecurity.org.uk, where we can discuss different delivery models to help make recruiting an apprentice easier. Skills for Security's goal is to make training more accessible and in the last 18 months have opened four centres to help remove those barriers in Warrington, Birmingham, Oxford and Southport. We have many more in the pipeline for 2021 and 2022.
YOUR SKILLS QUESTIONS ANSWERED
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 Where will the WSUK final be held this year and when?
The WSUK final is to be held in Skills for Security headquarters in Warrington due to its accessibility to the North (Scotland) and the South (London), plus airport access for those coming from Northern Ireland. We are trying our best to align it with WSUK as much as possible, and it is likely it will take place on the week ending the 19th of November. There will be eight participants competing in security and four in fire. This year's competition will be judged by NSI, SSAIB and Skills for Security staff. Communication to the successful apprentices from round one will be sent out in the coming weeks.
SKILLS
For more on this year's WSUK cycle:
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Recruiting new apprentices for your business proves difficult/Not enough young people are aware of the fire and security sector as a career of choice: this question is commonly raised to me at events up and down the country; how do we attract talent to a sector that is in its infancy and is unknown to school and college leavers?
Skills for Security is working on two initiatives; the first is WSUK, a national trade competition that is normally held at the NEC in Birmingham in November. Over 70,000 school leavers attend this event over four days looking for career information, advice and guidance. We run the first-ever security competition at this event, where the security sector is seen as a reputable career in comparison to those in electrical, joinery, army and the NHS. We use this opportunity to promote the security sector as a career of choice.
The second initiative is with Zitko Talent, of which Skills for Security is a founding member. The Zitko Talent Programme provides fast-track entry into the security tech industry and is a coalition of employers, manufacturers, accredited tech trainers and professional bodies.
Once the right candidates have been identified, the programme provides an intensive 12-month conversion programme that enables those with past skills and experience to become fire and security engineers. It combines structured, salaried work experience with close to 300 hours of technical and product training.
We have found the Zitko Talent trainees taking part in our programmes to be of excellent calibre, and as the programme builds, Zitko are looking to support our work in the schools and colleges, with their own attraction programme at graduate and adult level. I am personally excited to see how this adapts over the years.
All FIA and BSIA members that engage with the Zitko Talent programme receive discounts (see zitko.co.uk/divisions/talent for information.)
ADPRO Swansway Group Perimeter Protection
With 24 branches located throughout the north of England and Wales, Swansway Group is one of the region’s leading motor companies. The company is a main dealer for a range of premium automotive brands including Audi, Volkswagen, Land Rover and Jaguar, and also operates two state-of-the-art accident repair centres. High-value stock inventories across all sites require 24/7 protection, and security is a vital priority. The client was looking for a cost-effective solution for its new vehicle storage facility in Crewe that would combine all surveillance data into a single system giving immediate action upon activation Following consultation with the client, the decision was taken to install the ADPRO FastTrace 2E Remotely Managed Multiservice Gateway (RMG), a Perimeter, Multi-site and Enterprise Security Solution by Honeywell/ADPRO. Installed by NU Fire & Security Ltd, the system delivers state-of-the-art remote monitoring, enabling security threats to be detected and assessed instantly and efficiently. When an intruder is identified, a high quality Quad image is transmitted within seconds in a time stamped data packet, displaying to a remote monitoring centre or mobile handset, allowing operators to see exactly what is happening and take appropriate action. The system uses infrared (IR) IP network High Definition low-light cameras which allows lowlight working and is backed by an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) backup. The ADPRO solution can also operate via 3G connection, which will allow for redundancy should the ADSL lines fail. Use the QR code for the full case study
Confirmation of H.265 licenses used in advanced IDIS video solutions
As video users globally pay closer attention to the manufacturing origins and standards-compliance of their systems, IDIS is highlighting the value of its fully licensed network cameras and recorders that feature H.265 video compression. IDIS was among the first manufacturers to deliver the benefits of H.265 compression to the market as part of its end-to-end DirectIP® solution. The company has confirmed that it has HVEC Advance and H.265 MPEG patent licenses for all its hardware, with licenses dating back to cover all installed systems. IDIS has made extensive use of the H.265 standard since 2016, leveraging it to underpin flexible monitoring solutions using dual codec (H.264/265) and hybrid codec to ensure backward compatibility with older monitoring hardware. Combined with IDIS’s own advanced compression technology, IDIS Intelligent Codec, this typically saves up to 70% on storage capacity and lowers bandwidth requirements compared to older high-definition systems that relied on H.264.
This approach means IDIS users were among the first to benefit from ultra-high-definition surveillance using 8MP and 12MP cameras, while ensuring fast incident response, smoother searches and minimized distortion when reviewing complex scenes, even from mobile devices.
For example, the new IDIS Mobile Plus app – which integrates with the enterprise-level IDIS Solution Suite VMS to allow for more flexible and remote surveillance operations – enables 4K live streaming on remote mobile devices, with high image quality in H.264/MJPEG and H.265 formats. With Mobile Plus, users can remotely access cameras and NVRs, monitor live video streams, and search recorded footage via their iPhone, iPad, Android phone or tablet – all enabled by advanced compression technologies. For more information on IDIS solution go to www.idisglobal.com
Open Door is an online service from PSI that provides in-depth information from a selection of market leading companies. Here are some of the highlights from the pages of Open Door.....
Not all detectors are the same...
Unmanned train depots secured by Video Analytics
An intruder alarm system is only as good as the sum of all of its parts, which is why the choice you make when specifying PIRs and sensors for an installation makes all the difference The performance of detectors, the reliability of wireless functionality and the development of smartphone apps have helped improve the performance of intruder systems and also made installing the technology even easier. For example, commissioning the original panel, PIRs, sounders etc is much easier with a wireless system but when the panel needs a few extra detectors or peripherals added at a later date is when wireless wins hands down in terms of speed of install and simplicity. In terms of detectors it is vital for the efficiency of the whole system that the best products are used.
Recently reviewed in PSI magazine with an impressive 9/10 rating, the Capture range from Texecom comes with EN Grade 2 wired or wireless connectivity, wall or ceiling mounting, and a choice of detection technologies including dual element, quad element or dual technology sensing for a variety of security environments. Use the QR code for more information
Southeastern Rail Network operates train services between London, Kent and parts of East Sussex. It is one of the busiest networks in the country, transporting 640,000 passengers each weekday on its 392 trains, which are temporarily housed in 12 depots situated around South-East England. Some of these depots are unmanned, and therefore require intelligent security solutions. Bosch Security System’s Integration Partner, Taylor Technology Systems, were tasked with upgrading the entire video surveillance system across the 12 depots.
The camera portfolio installed across the 12 depots included FLEXIDOME IP starlight 7000 VR, DINION IP starlight 7000 HD and AUTODOME IP starlight 7000 HD cameras. These cameras are all equipped with Bosch’s Intelligent Video Analytics solutions ensuring that the most relevant video data can be precisely applied to the requirements of the train depots. Visit: www.boschsecurity.com/gb/en/
Integriti update includes biometrics and real time location tracking
Access control and security system designer and manufacturer Inner Range has released the Version 21 update for its Enterprise-level system Integriti, which includes integrations with Suprema biometrics and Quuppa real time location tracking. The new integration with Suprema allows users to add thumb and face scans as access credentials, which can be used in addition to smartcards and PIN for high security with trouble-free access.
The integration with Quuppa means tagged information from the Quuppa system can be associated with Integriti entities, allowing direct control of the asset from either system. The asset could be an object, or a user associated with it.
The location of tagged assets can be made visible on Integriti’s schematic of the site, alongside all other access and security devices. Operators can access all cameras with the asset in their field of view, if fields of view are configured. Alert protocols can be set up with bespoke criteria and operators can track and view the asset instantly if an alert is triggered. Visit: www.innerrange.co.uk
PSI GOLF DAY
RESCHEDULED! THE PSI GOLF DAY 2021
Sponsors include:
This year the PSI Golf Day and Premier Awards Dinner are planned for the 2nd September at Warren Weir at Luton Hoo. Have you got the skills to be a winner?
The PSI Golf Day will be held on 1st July at Warren Weir in Bedfordshire, within the 1,065 acre grounds of Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf & Spa, a self-contained private event venue with 84 luxurious bedrooms and suites.
The event will take place on the 2nd Sept, with golf during the day and the PSI Premier Awards Dinner in the evening. Following the meal and presentations there will be afterdinner entertainment and a chance to unwind in the Warren Lounge afterwards.
During the day, the annual PSI Golf Day will pit the skills of the industry’s golfers against each other in Texas Scramble and Stableford competitions. Every year installers, manufacturers and suppliers compete for the prestigious trophies and enjoy all-day refreshment and catering in glorious surroundings with great company.
For those looking to stay overnight, Warren Weir has rooms to meet all requirements as well as those in the in the Parkland and Country Club.
A day to remember for all competitors and their guests – especially the winners!
