Training

Army advantages

by Mark Rowe

The Kent-based installer Secure Engineering writes of its positive experience and the advantages to employing military-trained staff.

As well as being conscientious and disciplined, ex-military staff are accustomed to tuition and open to the idea of improving their knowledge.

Secure’s Managing Director Clifford Corne worked for eight years for the Ministry of Defence; four years on an electronic engineering apprenticeship, then four years of quality assurance and testing. First-hand, he has experienced the support provided by an Army background, and the natural progression into electronic security. Clifford says: “Ex-HM armed forces people come with a good set of skills, are very focused and can be safely relied upon. Just like the rest of us at Secure Engineering.”

Director of Finance Linda Doherty says:“We’ve employed a number of ex-services staff over the years. Notably an ex-RAF chap who spent three years with us as part of a re-settlement programme. He proved invaluable in the early years of the company, with his technical ability and engineering knowledge… not to mention a very particular sense of humour!”

Trainee Engineer, Harry Halfacre, joined the Maidstone-based company in October 2013, and has embarked on a Tavcom Training course on his own initiative. He opted to take part in Tavcom’s Electronic Principles course in his spare time, to add to his knowledge in a field in which he was particularly interested. Of the course, he says: “I decided to take it on myself because we work with electronics, and just wanted to bump up my base knowledge, making getting to know other factors a bit easier. I enjoy learning so it was an easy decision to make.”

Harry joined the Corps of Royal Engineers at 18. He gained the rank of Lance Corporal, and stayed in the Army for ten years, with various postings and tours. Harry is Secure’s third ex-Army engineer, and the company says that more will follow. Linda Doherty says: “We find the discipline and keenness of ex-Army chaps to be a breath of fresh air. I think the training they receive in the Army gives them a great work ethic and they seem to be able to cope with problems and deal with them with little assistance. They are also used to wearing a uniform which is important to Secure Engineering; we have always tried to promote a smart appearance in the company colours.”

Secure Engineering and Tavcom are now planning to help Harry move on to the Fast Track Integrated Systems Diploma; a vocational qualification that covers CCTV, intruder alarms, IP and access control. This course can be taken over a minimum of four weeks, and is a blend of theoretical and vocational training. Harry can then consider his options from the electronic security courses that Tavcom offers; even moving towards a Foundation Degree in the longer term if he so chooses.

Visit http://www.secureeng.co.uk.

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