More than 400 employees have completed apprenticeships, with 49 enrolled in intermediate, advanced and higher-level frameworks.
Graduates from Chubb – the top superbrand for security and fire protection – occupy a variety of roles, from engineers to team leaders and supervisors, including junior, middle and senior management.
IFSEC Global spoke to Sam Curran, third-year security apprentice at Chubb’s Manchester branch, and Danny Harding, second year security apprentice at the Croydon branch, to find out if apprenticeships have proven a good route into the industry.
The pair also reflect on their participation in 2016’s Engineers of Tomorrow competition – where apprentice installers pit themselves against each other and the clock at IFSEC International.
Sam Curran (on the right) at the Engineers of tomorrow competition
IFSEC Global: How’s your apprenticeship going? Is it an effective way to get into the security industry?
Sam Curran: It’s going really well. The course is a good mixture of on- and off-the-job-training that includes a week in Blackburn every six to seven weeks. It’s here that we learn background industry information essential to our roles.
I think apprenticeships are by far the best way to get into the industry as practical experience is invaluable.
Danny Harding: I really enjoy the variety of work I’m doing at Chubb and that I’m always kept on my toes. I think it’s essential for my career as I’ll need practical experience as well as college learning. All in all, I think it’s going really well.
IG: What does your role at Chubb cover? What kind of systems are you installing?
SC: I work across the full range of Chubb’s security installations, including access control systems, CCTV, intruder alarms and fully-integrated systems for the larger sites.
DH: I work across a wide range of properties, including large, medium and small retail outlets, industrial sites and office complexes. I can now install intruder alarms, CCTV and access control systems, as well as integrated systems.
IG: How do you feel you’ve personally benefitted from the Engineers of Tomorrow competition?
SC: All the practical work we do at Chubb is with a supervisor so I found it very useful to have to work on my own for the competition. It’s given me confidence that I know what I’m doing.
DH: An important aspect for me was time management, because part of the competition involved installing an alarm in a 30-minute slot, which required discipline and ability. It was also nice to get recognition from management and my peers at Chubb and to know you’re doing well.
Danny Harding (on the right) at the Engineers of Tomorrow competition
IG: What advice would you give to entrants for the 2017 competition?
My best advice would be to make sure you’re prepared. You’ll be given a test sheet with information you’ll need for the competition – not just on the installation but also on health and safety, the uniform and so on. It’s all relevant to our industry so make sure you take it all in.
DH: The most important advice I could give is to always ask questions. While it can be tempting to just get on with what you’re doing and second-guess best practices, it’s important to learn as much as you can from supervisors.
IG: Where do you see your career in the security industry taking you in five years’ time?
SC: I’d like to have risen through the engineer grades and know my trade inside and out.
DH: I would like to have risen through the ranks and be in a senior position with expert knowledge.
Find out more about the Engineers of Tomorrow competition – taking place at IFSEC International, 20-22 June 2017, ExCeL London – and how you can enter your own apprentices.
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