A post by Skills for Security.
Apprenticeship participation across England continued to grow in 2025, reflecting a broader shift toward advanced technical and professional training. During the first three quarters of the 2024/25 academic year, starts increased by 2% to 284,190, while degree-level apprenticeships at Levels 6 and 7 rose by 13% to 49,780.
These figures underline a sustained commitment to building higher-level skills across sectors and the growing importance of apprenticeships in shaping the future workforce. And the trend is mirrored in the fire and security sector, where structured training has become central to workforce planning and addressing the long-term skills shortage.
In 2025, Skills for Security trained over 1,300 apprentices and expects to support 1,500 in the year to come. The rise in apprentices reflects growing demand for qualified engineers and technicians as systems become more connected, integrated, and regulation-driven, with a need for understanding the latest standards and compliance.
Training has adapted to support flexible working, recognising how smaller employers often need practical, accessible solutions. SMEs are increasingly open to new approaches for upskilling their staff. A UK SME survey (“SME Skills Horizon 2025”) highlighted the role of flexible learning in helping smaller firms maintain competence while managing day-to-day operations and responding quickly to technical change.
More than 2,800 learners accessed the Skills On-Demand platform in 2025, completing short courses and technical modules designed around workplace needs. By combining digital learning with practical apprenticeship delivery, employers can maintain expertise in fast-changing areas such as electronic security, fire detection, and life-safety systems.
Regional training centres complement this approach, giving apprentices direct experience with current fire, security, and life-safety systems. Each centre replicates real installation environments and uses up-to-date equipment, helping learners connect theory with practice and build confidence before entering the workplace.
All programmes align with the ECS Gold Card competency framework, linking qualifications to recognised standards of capability and safety. This ensures training outcomes match workplace expectations, giving employers confidence in technical competence while supporting career progression and mobility for learners.
The structured Recruit, Train, Deploy and Develop pathway offers a practical framework for workforce planning. Employers can attract new entrants, build core skills and continue professional development through targeted upskilling, creating continuity from recruitment to long-term retention.
The sector’s emerging focus on competence and accountability is shaping recruitment, retention, and professional standards, with apprenticeships providing a clear route to verified skills.
This progress has been made possible through ongoing collaboration with manufacturers, trade associations and employers, ensuring apprentices gain experience with a wide range of systems and practical solutions used in the sector. Partnerships have also grown in 2025, with Skills for Security welcoming nine new organisations on board.
While national apprenticeship growth has been steady, progress within fire and security has been significant. Expansion of structured learning, alignment with competency frameworks, and collaboration across the supply chain are reshaping workforce development.
Experience in 2025 highlights where growth can be sustained and where new capability is needed. Heading into 2026, the focus will be on deepening specialist skills, broadening access to flexible learning and ensuring training keeps pace with rapid technological change.
