FIA

A new apprenticeship programme has been launched by the FIA to provide a nationally recognised NVQ standard for those seeking a career in Fire Detection and Alarms.

Developed in association with Skills for Security, the programme is aimed at candidates aged 16-24 and follows two years of groundwork by the FIA to map out and start to deliver a careers development path.  The announcement follows the report in the last issue of FIA Focus regarding FIA member Gent by Honeywell having identified a number of colleges throughout the UK which are interested in running NVQ courses from the beginning of the new academic year in September.  Funding for the college training and assessments of the candidates will be provided by Skills for Security and this has now been extended to all FIA members.

FIA Training Manager Ian Gurling said – “It is evident from comments by our members that there are concerns at the lack of quality young technicians entering and coming through our industry.It is vital that we invest in the engineers of the future if we are to maintain and enhance our fire safety expertise in the UK and this course offers the means to bring in that new blood.”

Colleges that are due to commence training in September include two in Scotland, one in Northern Ireland and four located at strategic points throughout England, with additional colleges to be added as demand grows.

In addition to the college based training and regular assessment funded by Skills for Security, apprentices will join the workforce of an FIA member company under the supervision of a mentoring senior technician.The scheme is designed to provide the apprentice with an NVQ Level 2 qualification in two years, with a further 15 months required to achieve full qualification on the advanced apprenticeship.

Further details are available from Ian Gurling at the FIA secretariat on tel: 020 8549 5855 ext 224, e-mail: igurling@fia.uk.com