Enhance your skills and keep up with the latest techniques with Tavcom Training at IFSEC 2022

As well as its base on stand IF4800 at IFSEC International 2022 between 17-19 May at London’s ExCeL, Tavcom Training is running a practical workshop for technicians as part of the live training on offer at this year’s show. We get the lowdown on why visitors should sign up and speak to the team face-to-face in May.

IFSEC Global (IG): What can visitors expect to see and talk about with Tavcom at IFSEC this year?

Tavcom Training (TT): This year Tavcom will have two stands. Our main stand (IF4800) is where you can come and visit the team to discuss the technical, control room and security management training courses we deliver and how they can benefit both you and your organisation. Alternatively, professionals might like to discuss becoming a member of CTSP (Certified Technical Security Professional) to be recognised for your competency and qualifications in the electronic security and fire alarms sector.

In addition, we will also be running dedicated CPD certified training session in the IFSEC & FIREX Training zone where visitors can see live demonstrations from our tutors, with the opportunity to get involved themselves and experience what’s included in one of our practical classroom workshops. As part of the three-day programme of talks and demonstrations, we’re running a training session on Optical Fibre and fusion splicing.

In the Optical Fibre Overview and Fusion Splicing Workshop visitors will be able to get hands on with Optical Fibre beginning with stripping the cable (removing the protective polymer coating) then using a fusion splicer to splice the fibres together to create the strongest, most reliable permanent fibre joint. The fibre cable can then be used to link a live CCTV(VSS) System together and see it working.

IG:  How important is it for installers and integrators to keep on top of CPD and training in security and fire?

TT: The electronic technical security landscape is forever evolving at an ever-increasing rate. For the individual working in the industry, the importance of both accredited training and ongoing Continuing Professional Development is vital to remain right up to date with all the latest technological innovations and techniques, remaining competitive and well informed when tendering for new work, and being able to demonstrate that they are practically and professionally qualified in their field of work and expertise.

From a business perspective, many enlightened companies and organisations are now taking very proactive and supporting roles with the training and Continuing Professional Development required by their employees as they can clearly see the huge benefits of a highly skilled, motivated, and committed workforce. Having highly skilled customer facing operatives and engineers representing their company is great for client retention. The knowledge their engineers have generates the ability to complete the work safely and to exceptionally high standards with the benefit of a reduced call outs.

IG: What’s new that you’re able to talk about since the last show back in 2019? And major new courses?

TT: Despite three years since the last IFSEC show and COVID-19 forcing us to close our training centre doors for over 12 months we have not stood still. We’ve used the time to build a second Intruder Alarms and Electronic Access Control workshop at our Hampshire HQ in addition to our state-of-the-art training centre in Shipley, Yorkshire. These developments have extended our catchment area to cover the whole of the UK whilst trebling our capacity to deliver our renowned BTEC accredited IDS and Access Control courses.

As well as developing our training centres we have also been working closely with manufactures and industry regulatory bodies updating all our courses to ensure the essential theory, legislation, equipment, and techniques we are teaching are delivered to the latest specification.

As with a lot of companies during COVID, we relied on virtual platforms to deliver those courses which do not require the ‘roll your sleeves up and get hands on’ workshop-based training. This included the BTEC accredited CCTV System Design and Planning, Intruder Alarm System Design, CCTV Traffic Enforcement and Security Consultancy courses to mention a few. Virtual training has proved very popular and due to demand we are continuing as it reduced the need for learners to travel, book hotels etc. We have also expanded our online courses with the new CCTV Legislation and Intruder Alarms Legislation courses proving exceptionally popular.

However, what we have found is the demand for the hands-on training is now back to pre-pandemic levels, and as our students are telling us, there is no substitute for hands on practical experience!

IG: What are the most popular courses at present for installers, and why do you think this is? 

TT: Practical CCTV Installation, Intruder Alarm Installation, Practical Access Control, and Fire Alarm Installation are always in high demand and are frequently at capacity, even in the months following the lifting of the COVID-19 restrictions. This is due, in part, to a huge skills gap in the technical security industry where there’s a real and emerging need for properly trained security professionals. In a world where anyone can fit a camera or “install” Fire and Security systems the only true mark of professionalism and quality is from an engineer who’s been properly trained. Completion of an accredited training course via a recognised training centre yields a formal qualification – which with us is BTEC – which acts as proof of professional competency and excellence. By opting for an accredited technical training course, individuals ensure that their training is to the highest standard, and covers the core content required within that field, including the legal and legislative aspects, supported by putting the theory into practice through practical application in our fully equipped workstations.  This can then be a catalyst for a person’s career progression within a business, or even a route into a new vocation. Simply put, an accredited training course is a hallmark of high-quality training and therefore a more skilled individual.

With the current shortage of engineers being experienced and the lack of industry specific apprenticeships we are seeing more and more enquiries and bookings from companies hiring trainees to fill this gap as well as upskilling current engineers to become more multi discipline. The costs involved with this also negates the ever-escalating charges and fees to recruitment agencies when hiring new staff. It also promotes a professional and trusted workforce.

IG: Why do you enjoy face-to-face events? 

TT: For us it’s an opportunity to network with those across the whole industry and understand what their individual or business training needs are. Having a conversation with someone in person or over a cup of coffee is more personal than a voice down the phone or a few words on an email.

However, from a consumer/end-user point of view, eventing is also a good opportunity for professionals to come to us on their terms. It facilitates a space to ask questions, browse through literature, and actually speak to the people who deliver the courses. For us, face-to-face eventing has always been a highly enjoyable and positive experience, especially at big industry shows like IFSEC. Face-to-face events affords us with a great opportunity to really demonstrate the broad spectrum of training we provide across our entire portfolio, along with building new relationships and cementing existing ones.