Checkmate Marks National Apprenticeship Week 2023 With The Launch Of Their New Training Academy

It’s National Apprenticeship Week 2023, with the theme this year focusing on developing ‘skills for life’ – and at Checkmate, that’s exactly what they want to do.

Celebrating the thirst that apprentices adopt to forge a career for themselves, coupled with new regulations supporting the growth of the fire safety industry, Checkmate thinks this area of construction is exactly where new trainees should want to be.

Compliance to new Fire Safety (England) Regulations

With the implementation of the new Fire Safety (England) Regulations, focus on ensuring the built environment is compliant is at an all-time high – and that’s why Checkmate is keen to bring new and fresh insight into the industry. And what better way to do this, than by training up the next generation of industry front-runners.

In fact, following on from these new regulations – alongside more businesses adopting Dame Judith Hackitt’s ‘common-sense approach’ - the global passive fire protection market is predicted to grow from US$ 4 billion in 2021 to US$ 5.4 billion dollars by 2028 (according to Fortune Business Insights).

This means that for those passionate individuals who are looking to gain skills for life, the fire safety industry is one of the hottest choices around.

Checkmate offers two-year ‘Passive Fire Training’ course

Checkmate has developed and implemented a two-year ‘Passive Fire Training’ course

While there is no official scheme for apprenticeships, Checkmate has developed and implemented a two-year ‘Passive Fire Training’ course, which is centered on active labor within the workplace.

Recruiting brilliantly placed trainees from across the nation, this bespoke course has been designed to provide both on-the-job experience and the relevant qualifications.

Qualifications include:

• NVQ Level 2 in Passive Fire Protection
• SSSTS
• PASMA
• BRE recognition in: Fire door installation, repair and maintenance, fire stopping & compartmentation

Trainee Success Stories

Since the implementation of this customized course in 2019, Checkmate has had over 20 trainees join the program, with 11 of them already progressing on to the next stage of their career at the company. These roles now include fire protection technicians (levels 1 and 2), site supervisors, and surveyors.

Providing all trainees with a solid foundation of industry knowledge and expertise, this course can be the steppingstone to any relevant career within fire protection.

Introducing the new Checkmate Academy

Checkmate is also committed to facilitating the continuous improvement of their people

In addition to their bespoke, two-year trainee course, Checkmate is also committed to facilitating the continuous improvement of their people. This includes a significant investment in training, alongside mandatory ASFP course completion for all colleagues. And now there’s more.

Dedicated to bridging the nation’s construction, fire protection and engineering skills gaps and protecting the future of tomorrow’s generation, the company is delighted to announce the upcoming launch of their brand-new training academy.

State-of-the-art academy to serve as base for all trainees

Conveniently located in Sheffield, United Kingdom (UK), this state-of-the-art academy will serve as a base for all trainees and anyone interested in joining the industry.

Providing prospective employees with the option to see what fire protection entails, along with up-skilling Checkmate’s current workforce, they are so excited to see where this leads.

Ensuring continued competency of Checkmate’s workforce

Checkmate’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Champion of their people, John Lewthwaite, said “We are so thrilled with the launch of the new Checkmate Academy. Ensuring the continued competency of our workforce, along with creating new jobs across the country, this is a brilliant investment in the next generation and the future of our industry.”