With IFSEC International’s head-to-head installer competition just a few weeks away, we spoke to one of last year’s winners about taking part and his career in security.Apprentice installers from London-based Tel Cam Security Systems shared first prize with Kings Security at last year’s Engineers of Tomorrow competition.
Brothers Bobby and Carlos Dhunay were tasked with assessing a previously installed intruder alarm system, identifying faults, re-commissioning the system and applying any additional security and safety measures required.
The award was announced at the Security & Fire Excellence Awards in November.
“We are extremely happy to have been involved in this award,” said Carlos and Bobby after the event. “This would not have been possible without the help of our dads, John and Raj, who own Tel Cam Security.
“The Engineers of Tomorrow competition is an amazing learning opportunity which tests our knowledge for intruder alarm systems.”
Said Skills for Security assessor Mark Cunningham: “It was wonderful to see how far Bobby and Carlos have progressed with Skills for Security. They first entered the competition last year and performed really well winning one of the heats and since then they have gone from strength to strength.
“Skills for Security have noticed how hard they both work on site and at college and we are delighted to see them receive their just rewards and hope they will inspire others looking for a career in the security industry.”
Speaking to IFSEC Global more recently Carlos thinks the competition challenges were an effective, realistic test of his ability to do his job. “They were the normal challenges we face at work – every day. It’s pretty much the same thing,” he said.
Reflecting on preparations for the event, Carlos said: “practice makes perfect. We were used to one type of alarm panel until we started gearing up for the competition. Then we had to become used to a wide range of alarm panels just before the event.”
Carlos said the awards were “great. Because we are young, winning this award helps out so much.” Would he recommend taking part to other young apprentices? “Yeah, definitely.”
Carlos praised the “working environment” at Telcam. “It’s great.”
Already boasting Gold accreditation – the highest accreditation level available – from the National Security Inspectorate, Tel Cam Security Systems now has Engineers of Tomorrow winners among its workforce.
Owned by Carlos’s father and uncle Tel Cam Security Systems is very much a family business. “”I took an interest because I used to help out at the weekend. It’s great, really challenging,” said Carlos.
He already installs a range of systems: “I do alarms, access control, fire, CCTV – everything.” So what about his future career plans?
“I am still open to learning and am still taking a level 2 course in electronic security. In the future I probably plan on taking over the company or going up the ranks.”
In total, 64 young engineers will head to IFSEC International between 21-23 June 2016 to put their skills against each other.
Tel Cam Security Systems is once again taking part, with other companies including: Fidelity Integrated Systems, Abel Alarm Co, Highgrade fire&security, Chubb F&S, CBRE, Tyco, Red Alert, VocalVale, H+J Martin, Ambush Security, Wessex Alarms, Captstan Security, Secure One, CIA, SES Yeovil, William Hale, Custom Alarms and the other defending champions and Kings Security.
They will be assessed by a panel of judges from security inspectorates NSI and SSAIB. Points will be allocated based on performance in various disciplines.
Heat winners will be invited along with their employers to the prestigious Security & Fire Excellence Awards, which take place on Wednesday 23 November 2016, where the final winner will be announced and awarded a £1,000 cash prize.
Places for this year’s competition are now filled but applications are now open for 2017.
Engineers of Tomorrow is part of Apprenticeships for Fire & Security. Sponsored by IFSEC, CSL DualCom, NSI, SSAIB and Skills for Security the apprenticeship scheme has already helped launch the careers of more than 3,000 young apprentices.
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