The 100 in 100 campaign launched at IFSEC 2011 – and designed to encourage the employment of 100 new apprentices across the security sector in 100 days – is rapidly approaching its target, with 72 companies now having signed on the dotted line to support the initiative.
The campaign’s ‘Roll of Honour’ now includes the following companies: APE Security, Abatis Solutions, Access & Lock, Access Fire & Security, Active Security, All Secure Security, BDS Fire & Security, BJC Fire and Security, Black Box Security, Boss Security, C&C Barnsley, CAP Security, CCS Covert Camera Solutions, Chubb Fire & Security, CIA Fire and Security, CIS Security, Clymac Fire and Security, Code Security Systems, Contract Fire Security, Core Security Systems, Cryptex Security, CSI Systems, CSL DualCom, CTM Fire and Security, Dash Security, Defensor Maintenance, E-Bound AVX, Essex Security Services and GJD Manufacturing.
Also involved are Griffin Fire, HS Security Services, ID Fire and Security, Intelligent Fire Systems, JM Security, Kempton Security, King’s Security Systems, LJB Security, Lofthouse Security, MJ Fire, MJ Security Systems, More Security Systems, Network Security and Alarms, Nova Security Systems, Octagon, Orion Security Solutions, PAV Security, PEL Services, Protection Security Systems, PWP Fire and Security, Quadrant Security Group, Reliance High-Tech, Security 1, SES Alarms, SIS, Technica, Thomson AVC, TI Security, Trinity Protection Systems, UIS (Unique Integrated Systems), VSG, Westronics and Wilkinsons.
Energised by Skills for Security and CSL DualCom, and fully supported by the British Security Industry Association, the National Security Inspectorate and the Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board (with UBM Live’s Security Portfolio and Info4Security/SMT Online as Official Media Partner), the campaign has even made the pages of The Daily Telegraph in a feature on careers in defence and security scripted by reporter Janette Marshall.
According to Marshall, the security sector’s 100 in 100 apprenticeships drive “underlines the career opportunities available” in the UK’s security sector.
Simon Banks – the commercial director and co-founder of CSL DualCom – is quoted in the article. “The drive gives young people a choice,” said Banks. “Pay GB pound 8,000-plus per year for a university education or receive GB pound 8,000 per year to be trained.”
Banks continued: “We want to show young people that the security industry is both a credible and a ‘cool’ environment in which to work. The industry is diverse and challenging. An engineer can work on access control, CCTV, intruder alarm panels, IT/IP networks and, in many cases, a mixture of all of these. Security’s not a one-trick pony. I’m someone with a short attention span and it has held my interest for 23 years.”
Journey towards the managing director’s chair
Andy Ellis is a prime example of a security professional who has made the journey from apprentice to managing director (of ADT Fire & Security in the UK and Ireland).
In the early days, proud Scotsman Ellis served as an apprentice electrician working in Edinburgh but then looked to do something different.
“At the time I was repairing fruit machines,” explained Ellis. “That sometimes involved one and a half hours to remove a ten pence piece that had jammed in the mechanism!”
Ellis ended up moving from engineer to supervisor and on to managerial status. Having spent time in sales, he then took on various director-level roles.
What advantages did the apprenticeships render, though? “I believe they allowed me to appreciate the challenges at the front end of an organisation,” he replied. “Good grounding allows you to obtain various transferable skills and, very often, can help mature a person in terms of their general life experience.”
In Ellis’ considered opinion, what are the key benefits to a security systems company of employing apprentices?
“Employing apprentices allows the organisation to train individuals using their skills and develop their behaviours in line with the inherent company culture,” he replied. “Within ADT, there have been numerous examples of further career progression.”
Over the years, and to the company’s great credit, ADT has employed hundreds of apprentices. “We look for certain basic academic qualifications and, thereafter, a positive ethic and a ‘want to work’ attitude in a practical environment.”
What advice would Ellis give to a young person thinking about joining the security industry today?
“In today’s environment it’s often difficult for young people to make their way in the world as competition is tough. My advice would be for them to always demonstrate a positive outlook and a willingness to learn.”
Worcestershire 100 in 100 campaign
Meantime, 100 in 100 campaign co-founder David Greer – CEO at Skills for Security – joined representatives from the National Apprenticeship Service, local training providers, employers and apprentices at Worcester’s Guildhall on 19 September to celebrate the successful conclusion of the Worcestershire 100 in 100 campaign (which has been promoted by the Worcester News).
Since launch on 11 May, 100 companies of all sizes have offered 206 apprenticeships in a variety of disciplines.
The event was hosted by Worcester City MP Robin Walker, who has also taken on an apprentice to work in his constituency office.
Walker welcomed Iain Duncan Smith (Secretary of State for Work and Pensions) to the event, the latter speaking about the importance of apprenticeships and work experience for young people.
For his part, Greer explained how apprenticeships can provide an alternative route into higher education as well as a pathway to a career. He also outlined the experiences of the security industry in developing the first industry-led 100 in 100 campaign.
Details of the 100 in 100 campaign
Just to reiterate how ‘100 in 100’ works, 100% funding is available for would-be security sector apprentices in the 16-18 age range, with available fiscal support scaled by age from that base point.
For employers who want to take part there’s no catch involved – merely the opportunity to mirror the current Government’s thinking by leveraging the opportunity to employ quality candidates who will benefit the host business both in the short and longer terms, and for a minimal economic outlay.
All of the arrangements for those security companies who want to take part in this brilliant scheme – the official Media Partner for which is Info4Security.com/SMT Online – are taken care of, whether that be in terms of assistance in sourcing apprentices, appointing the college(s) at which they’ll study, providing assessors or drawing down the crucial funding.
For further information on the 100 in 100 campaign, contact Skills for Security’s Customer Relations Team on (telephone 08450 750111), or send an e-mail to: [email protected]
