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May 22, 2023

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Industry welcomes new fire and security apprenticeship for Wales

Following demand from employers, a dedicated fire and security apprenticeships scheme in Wales has been approved by the Welsh Government.

FESS-Epa-ApprenticeInstaller-23The Fire and Security Association (FSA) and the Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB) have welcomed Welsh Government’s approval today of a new Apprenticeship Pathway in Fire and Security.

This completes the mission of the fire, emergency and security systems (FESS) sector to make a specialist apprenticeship available to employers and learners in every part of the UK.

The new apprenticeship is said to align with the UK-wide FESS Technician Standard, while respecting a specific Welsh training identity.

Employers were closely involved in the steering group which oversaw the development process.

Welsh apprentices and employers will benefit from the curriculum aligned with UK-wide technical and occupational competence standards.

The apprenticeship features two qualifications which have now been designated by Qualifications Wales: the EAL Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Providing Electronic Fire and Security Systems, and the EAL Level 3 Knowledge Diploma in Providing Electronic Fire and Security Systems. On completion, individuals will achieve UK FESS Technician status and entitlement to apply for a gold card under the Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS).

Significantly, the establishment of this new benchmark also provides a route for the existing workforce in Wales to upskill from Operative to gold card Technician level when the FESS Experience Worker Assessment route becomes widely available later this year across the whole UK.

Tom Brookes, FSA Chair, said:

“The new apprenticeship in fire and security marks an important step forward for FESS standards in Wales. As such, it represents a fantastic achievement for the close and effective partnership on competence and skills now developing between Welsh Government and industry employers. We look forward to seeing this partnership continue to grow and strengthen further over time.”

Trevor Jenks, SSAIB National Training Manager, added:

“SSAIB are delighted to have been involved in the development of the new Welsh Apprenticeship Pathway, which both aligns with the UK-wide FESS Technician Standard and respects Wales’s specific training identity and norms. The SSAIB continues to take a leading role in setting and raising of the technical standards as the whole FESS sector upskills on its route to a fully competent workforce, validated by an individual’s competency card.” 

Wales’ Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething, explained:

“The Welsh Government is committed to investing in quality apprenticeships that support economic growth. This new apprenticeship will raise standards across the fire, emergency and security systems industry and make a significant contribution to the competence and skills of the workforce in Wales. The fact the apprenticeship was jointly developed across the sector is testament to the value and strength of collaborative working in meeting industry needs.”

 

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