A post by Skills for Security.
Skills for Security is now an independent organisation. The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) has sold its remaining shares to The Banks Foundation, completing a process that began with their first investment in 2022.
It is a significant step for us, and one that raises an important question: why does independence matter?
The BSIA has been a supportive shareholder for many years, and their role in helping us reach this point should not be understated. Their involvement provided a platform for Skills for Security to grow and strengthen its position in the sector.
Independence builds on this foundation and allows us to set our direction with a single focus on apprenticeships and training. Our opportunity is to take full responsibility for how we continue to grow and deliver.
For our industry, independence matters because the security and fire sectors are constantly evolving. New technologies are changing the whole process, from how systems are designed and specified to installed processes, monitoring and maintenance. Discerning customers expect higher standards of professionalism and need compliance with latest legislation alongside technical knowledge.
Businesses are facing challenges in recruiting and retaining skilled engineers. Independence gives Skills for Security the flexibility to listen fully to requirements and proactively respond to these changes. We can shape training to reflect the realities of installation work, invest in resources that improve quality and adapt more quickly to the needs of the sector.
We have recently opened a new training centre in Doncaster, taking us to seven centres across the UK. Almost 300 new apprentices joined us in September, our largest intake yet. They are beginning their careers in security and fire installation, helping to meet the growing demand for skilled engineers across the sector. Employers across the country continue to report shortages of skilled staff, and apprenticeships remain one of the most effective ways to build a workforce for the future.
Partnerships with The Security Event and leading security technology and life safety organisations are helping us ensure our programmes reflect current industry practice.
We are expanding our commercial training offer with FireQual Fire Fundamentals, and our Skills OnDemand platform has grown to 2,400 subscribers. We are also strengthening internal quality, data and infrastructure functions to maintain standards as we scale.
The introduction of new electrotechnical sub sectors has highlighted how the boundaries
between disciplines are becoming less distinct, and certain engineers increasingly need a broader set of skills. By extending our offer into related areas, we can provide apprentices and employers with multi-skills to keep pace.
Apprenticeships will always remain at the heart of everything we do. Independence allows Skills for Security to focus on delivering training that meets the current and future needs of the security and fire sector. This ensures they are fully prepared for the demands of our sector and helps employers strengthen and confidently grow their workforce.
