At Skills for Security, we take pride in cultivating the growth of apprentices and providing our employers with skilled, confident engineers. One recent success story comes from Kingsley Wright, an apprentice working with NACD. His journey offers valuable insights for employers and apprentices alike.
Why Choose an Apprentice?
As an organisation, NACD faced challenges in recruiting engineers through traditional routes. With fewer qualified engineers entering the field, increasing retirements, and higher recruitment costs, the team knew a change was necessary. Their medium-term strategy involved retraining established engineers from related industries, but the long-term vision focused on nurturing homegrown talent through an apprenticeship program.
“Partnering with Skills for Security gave us the confidence to pursue this strategy. The BSIA association assured us that the technical training would meet industry standards, and the inclusion of soft skills meant we would have well-rounded engineers capable of delivering an excellent customer experience,” NACD shared.
Kingsley’s Journey So Far
For Kingsley, joining NACD was an opportunity to start building his career in the Fire & Security industry. Despite initial nerves, he quickly proved his determination and capabilities.
“Kingsley has only been with us a short while, but he’s already making great progress,” says Steve Beck, PPM Department Manager. “He has shown eagerness to learn, pays attention to instructions, and picks things up quickly. His confidence and technical ability are growing steadily.”
Kingsley’s dedication is evident in his achievements. Passing his ECS course and excelling in CCTV manufacturer training were significant milestones that reinforced his decision to pursue this path.
“Working with John Reynolds has also been beneficial,” Kingsley noted. “He has been incredibly supportive, showing me the ropes and helping me apply what I’ve learned at college to real-world situations.”
Kingsley’s Perspective
For Kingsley, the apprenticeship has been a structured and supportive journey.
“I’ve appreciated the resources provided by Skills for Security and the support from NACD. The most rewarding part so far has been passing my training and gaining hands-on experience. I’m excited to keep learning about fire systems and improving my skills.”
When asked for advice for others considering this career, Kingsley shared:
“Things might seem complicated at first, but once you start working through them, they’re easier to understand. Take the leap, it’s worth it.”
A Positive Experience for Mentors
Apprenticeships don’t just benefit the apprentices - they positively impact mentors too. John Reynolds, Senior Engineer at NACD, reflected on his experience:
“Initially, I wondered if having apprentices would disrupt my workflow. But working with Kingsley has been rewarding. Teaching him has sharpened my own skills, and I feel like I’m contributing to the future of our industry. If we can continue getting apprentices of this calibre, it will benefit the business and the wider industry immensely.”
Advice for Employers
For NACD, the decision to start an apprenticeship program has been transformative. They encourage other employers to consider the benefits:
“Do it! We hesitated for years, but now we ask ourselves why we didn’t start earlier. Partnering with Skills for Security has made the process seamless. Apprenticeships create a pipeline of skilled engineers who support your business and strengthen the industry.”
One unexpected benefit has been the positive effect on senior staff. The experience has inspired them to mentor and create a legacy for future generations of engineers. As John Reynolds put it:
“It’s a win-win all around.”
Looking to the Future
Kingsley’s story is just one example of how apprenticeships can pave the way for successful careers while benefiting businesses. As NACD continues to invest in their apprenticeship program, they’re building a team equipped to tackle the challenges of the future, one engineer at a time.
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