Teenage apprentices Robbie Jackson and Christopher Hunt were presented with Apprentice Installer Awards by the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) during the trade body’s annual lunch in London.
The apprentices were selected as award winners in recognition of their academic and practical success in the field of electronic security installations. As in previous years the awards serve to recognise the achievements of Level Two and Level Three apprentices involved in the installation of alarms, CCTV, access control or a combination.
The overall winner for 2015 is Robbie Jackson, 18, a third-year apprentice working for Compass Fire and Security in Cumbria. He was nominated for the award by his course assessor, Mark Cunningham of Skills for Security. From his very first interview, the company were impressed by Robbie’s ‘can-do’ attitude and his potential to succeed shone through from the beginning.
Considering an apprenticeship as an alternative to university, Robbie quickly progressed in his role to become a valued member of the company. Looking ahead, Robbie’s ambition is to become a lead engineer by his mid-20s and later progress into management, an ambition that his bosses at Compass Fire and Security believe he will most certainly achieve.
Andrew Turner, who manages Robbie at Compass Fire and Security, says: “I firmly believe in the apprenticeship scheme and that apprentices are an asset to any organisation. [One] of Robbie’s positive attributes is his ability to learn or understand a new or unfamiliar piece of equipment very quickly… Over the years, Robbie has progressed extremely well.”
Robbie said: “I am delighted to have been selected as overall winner of the BSIA Apprentice Installer Award for 2015. Since being taken on as an apprentice with Compass Fire & Security, I have worked very hard to ensure that I have completed all aspects of the apprenticeship to the best of my ability and gain the knowledge necessary to become a qualified engineer. I hope to continue my personal development as an engineer with Compass Fire & Security with a view to one day being in a position to apply for more senior roles within the company. My apprenticeship and work placement have been both fulfilling and rewarding and I am very much looking forward to the next phase of my career in this industry.”
Achieving National Winner status is first-year apprentice, 17-year-old Christopher Hunt, pictured, who works for Bradford-based King’s Security. Following his father’s footsteps into a career in security, Christopher has earned the respect of his colleagues and mentors in the business due to his self-motivated and positive attitude.
Helping out on projects for top-rated clients, Christopher demonstrates a good knowledge of IP-based CCTV and understands alarm wiring theory and fault-finding. Comfortable working with IT systems, Christopher is able to add and remove cameras from a system, program interfaces and focus and zoom a camera, all from a Windows-based PC.
Nominating Christopher for his award was Andrew Wood, Install Supervisor at King’s Security. He says: “Chris has become a really valued member of the team and is everyone’s choice as a ‘second man’. He understands the importance of the customer and always presents himself and the business in a good light. He is learning other parts of the business fast and is eager to progress.”
Christopher said: “I am honoured to receive the BSIA’s annual Apprentice Installer Award. It means a lot to be recognised for the hard work I have been doing whilst doing my apprenticeship with Kings. The scheme has been amazing in helping me develop my practical skills and knowledge within the security sector, allowing me to ultimately develop my long-term career goals to work within the industry. I must say a big thank you to Kings, and particularly to my mentor, Andy Wood, who has helped me along the way with not only my practical skills but also theory and customer service skills, and I hope to serve as a role model for new recruits.”
James Kelly, Chief Executive of the BSIA, says: “We are all well aware that in today’s challenging job market many young people may feel that a long term career is out of their reach. As such, the BSIA and its members fully support the development of apprenticeships which offer positions to young people who wish to gain practical skills and knowledge in the security industry, allowing them to ultimately develop long-term careers in the sector.
“It’s always a pleasure to be able to recognise the outstanding talent displayed by our young apprentices, and I would like to congratulate all four of today’s winners on their achievements. They have all exhibited exceptional qualities throughout their apprenticeships, and no doubt have very bright futures within our industry.”
The Apprentice Installer Awards are once again sponsored by Pyronix, whose Chair and Chief Executive, Julie A Kenny CBE DL, says: “Congratulations to all the winners and nominees at this year’s BSIA Apprentice Installer Awards.
“Schemes like this are absolutely vital in bringing in fresh recruitment of individuals who are ready to make a difference with passion and enthusiasm, and who knows, even in educating our industry’s future leaders. At Pyronix, we advocate this sentiment by proactively looking to employ at least one apprentice every year, as we recognise and appreciate the mutual benefits of apprenticeship schemes. So once again well done to everyone involved and we wish you all a very long and fruitful career in the security industry.”
Both winners were presented with their awards at the association’s annual luncheon on July 15, hosted at the London Hilton on Park Lane.
The BSIA would like to take this opportunity to thank Pyronix Ltd for their kind sponsorship of these awards. Visit www.bsia.co.uk.
