The Government has replaced the former apprenticeship scheme with a new, employer-designed, Trailblazer scheme. An apprentice will be required to detail their knowledge, skills, and behaviours to prove competence in their role. Is this a re-branding of the NVQ scheme in the 1980s? asks Una Riley our regular contributor.
The launch of the Fire, Emergency and Security Systems Apprenticeship Trailblazer scheme was held at the UBM offices (organisers of IFSEC International) in London last month. The major fire and security systems trade associations, which included the FSA (Fire and Security Association), the FIA (Fire Industry Association) and the BSIA (British Security Industry Association) urged their members to complete a new skills survey which aimed to understand the state of play in the industry. This resulted in the jointly organised event held by the apprenticeship employers group, alongside the FSA, FIA and BSIA. The security systems Trailblazer apprenticeship scheme was developed over two years by the employers group, alongside a range of industry bodies which included the BSIA, FIA and FSA. The systems apprenticeship was designed to meet the business needs of the industry, and was approved by the Government last year. The new apprenticeship standard will replace the current industry framework.
One of the benefits of being in the industry for such a long time is the ability to measure what is happening now compared with some years ago. In the 1980s I was involved with the introduction of NVQs [national vocational qualifications] as Chairman of the SSILB (Security Systems Industry Lead Body) that was the start of recognised national training standards. It was also the start of SITO (Security Industry Training Organisation) owned by the BSIA. I contacted Ray Clarke the former CEO of SITO to ask him his thoughts on the new Trailblazer launch. He said: “The launch of the Trailblazer apprenticeship standard for the security and fire security systems is very good news. Those that have led the initiative for the sector, really deserve our thanks. I am only too aware of how much unseen effort that it takes.” We then went on to discuss the concerns that related to infrastructure and the requirement for volume take up. We talked about this area as being comparable to the same issues which affected the sector in the early 1990s. The issue was ultimately solved by employers pooling their requirements for training apprentices and working with the SITO co-ops. This allowed the bulk purchase of training from colleges. We also talked about infrastructure which was also a concern back then, due to the employment in the sector being largely made up of smaller companies. Although small companies do not have training departments and the training accoutrements of larger companies, they are not excluded from becoming Trailblazer. The needs are the same for both large and small organisations. The Government guidance encouraged small companies to become involved as part of a Trailblazers Group by setting out the process and policy on applying to develop an apprenticeship standard. It also provided templates to help small companies draft the standard and assessment plan along with funding for travel for organisations with under 50 employees. Also, smaller organisations will not be paying the apprenticeship levy as the rules stand.
This scheme is reminiscent of the days of the SSILB. We talked about the current environment, and the role ‘approved training providers’ play. We then went on to discuss the need for training providers and end-point assessment companies being a vital element of the new scheme. I asked Clarke if he had any concerns about this platform having experienced the early days of SITO. He replied: “I am concerned about the Government’s apparent desire to remove qualifications from Trailblazers. It has all the hallmarks of somebody’s good idea that has not been thought through. Also, I think the use and application of levy funds is high. It will be interesting to see if the scheme provides a route into higher education, in a way that NVQs never really achieved. However, I am hoping that we may well see what could be a good overall strategy. Once again, I commend the industry for their effort.”
One of the main players when it comes to effort is Pat Allen, who leads the apprenticeship employers group and is the Chairman of the FSA. As the co-founder of the FSA, I am particularly proud of Allen’s achievements. I have known him a long time since we were both active on the BSIA committees and it is great to see the collaboration of both the FSA and the BSIA on this important scheme. Allen’s speech at the launch of the Trailblazers (pictured) was passionate and honest. He said: “It has taken two years in the making, holding monthly meetings, five hours at each … over 120 hours for each employer. Working groups have held 1000 hours for sub-meetings, homework, and planning. We had 42 people in the employer group from 30 companies, a cross section of BSIA, FIA and FSA with members from small, medium, and large employers.”
He went on to explain that at the meetings everyone was collaborating and working together. The stakeholders set competition aside to work for the best interests of our industry. He explained that the meetings of the employer group had been well supported “and allowed on many occasions a good debate”. I should imagine most debate revolved around the implementation of the fire, emergency, and security systems technician apprenticeship standard itself. The standard will reflect the needs of employers who hire apprentices to carry out the design, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of electronic systems. This will range from the simple to complex, to protect individuals, homes and properties from risk and danger. Trailblazers is an integrated programme of knowledge and skills acquisition, developed alongside core behaviours expected of a competent developing professional, operating in a regulated field. The upside of this standard is that it will afford the young men and women the respect they deserve for doing this important skilled work. The award of the apprenticeship certificate will signify a recognition of competence in their role and will hopefully enable progression to higher levels of skills development, such as was envisaged with the NVQ programmes.
Other speakers at the launch included industry figures Gerry Dunphy of the Ifsec-Firex shows, and Simon Banks of CSL Dualcom. James Kelly CEO, BSIA said: “We were delighted to see an array of employers from our industry come together to create the new Trailblazer standard, which will form the basis of training and qualifications for young engineers. As the Employers Group was formed of members from the BSIA, FSA and FIA, it was important that the three associations worked together to achieve the backing of the wider industry in both the fire and security sectors. The new Trailblazer standard will equip our engineers of tomorrow with the skills and experience needed to succeed within their roles. As the leading trade association for the security industry, we are proud to endorse this important standard and are thoroughly supportive of apprenticeships, as we see them as an important platform to reduce the skills gap that the industry is currently facing.”
I am so pleased to witness the collaboration of the FSA, FIA and the BSIA. It is very different from 2007 when things were not so cordial! How things have changed for the better. I think James Kelly has done a great job taking ownership of Skills for Security (formally known as SITO to many of us) and bringing back the training platform into the BSIA where it belongs. Allen went on to say: “The new apprenticeship will now provide an opportunity for employers within the fire, emergency and security sectors to work together and influence the future of our industry.” That is what it is all about. The industry working as one for the benefit of all.
That was the reason I started JSIC (Joint Security Industry Council) in the days of the SSILB … it was for the entire profession to come together with one voice to communicate with Government … there was a need for it then and I believe there still is today. Allen also went on to say: “The entire industry was able to collaborate and create a clear standard that will give apprentices the core skills and experience they require to become the engineers of tomorrow.” That’s what I call progress.
