A new fire detection and alarm systems competition to enable apprentice engineers to boost their skills has been launched by the charity, WorldSkills UK.
Program training
Run in partnership with Skills for Security, apprentice engineers will have the opportunity to undergo training ahead of the national final in November, with a chance to compete at the international ‘Skills Olympics’ in France in 2024.
The program builds on WorldSkills UK’s electronic security systems competition launched in 2019. The winners of the national final will be revealed on Channel 4 TV show, Steph’s Packed Lunch, at the end of November.
Competition design
The fire industry competition builds on the existing Engineers of Tomorrow program and raises its profile
The new competition has been designed to help boost the number of skilled engineers in the fire industry, in response to new legislation and regulation which tightens fire safety standards in many buildings.
The fire industry competition builds on the existing Engineers of Tomorrow program and raises its profile. It is backed by BAFE Fire Safety Register, FireQual, the British Security Industry Association, and CSL, and will assess an individual’s knowledge, employability, and practical skills in a competitive timed environment.
technical and employability skills
WorldSkills UK’s competition-based programs aim to help young people grow personally and professionally, by developing their technical and employability skills, as well as shining a light on the skilled potential in the UK.
“We are delighted to have launched the Fire Detection and Alarm Systems Competition with Skills for Security,” said WorldSkills UK’s Deputy CEO, Ben Blackledge, adding “New for 2022, the competition will help boost the number of skilled engineers in the industry as it deals with the fallout from the Grenfell fire tragedy."
competition-based programs
Ben Blackledge continues, “Taking part in WorldSkills UK competitions can be a life-changing experience. Our competition-based programs offer students and apprentices the opportunity to pit their skills against the best of the best in the UK, and even on the global stage.”
BAFE Fire Safety Register’s Managing Director, Justin Maltby-Smith, added: “The scrutiny of an individual’s competency within the life safety arena has been a major area of focus following the Grenfell Tower tragedy. There is a clear necessity that any individuals entering the market need to be appropriately skilled for the works they will eventually perform unsupervised.”