Tom Brookes, Chairman of the FSA and MD of Zzeus Training, highlights the growing imperative for businesses to upskill their staff – and actively consider apprenticeships a vital investment for the future.
The FSA membership is in the grip of a pincer movement caused by circumstances largely (but not entirely) out of its control. Firstly, we’re facing a significant skills shortage, particularly in the fire engineering sector. And, secondly, the outcomes of the Grenfell inquiry and other changes to Standards and legislation are putting the spotlight on skills and competency in our sector.
The result is that the industry is experiencing high demand for engineers who can demonstrate the right level of skills and experience. That, in turn, is driving up remuneration and creating an environment where it’s harder than ever to hang on to qualified staff who can be tempted away by significant increases in pay.
Factors that were largely out of our sector’s control include the outcomes of the Grenfell Enquiry. For instance, industry Working Group Two, set up following the Enquiry, requires that fire operatives must be qualified to Level 3 (and Level 2 for security).
We’re also facing an update to the Dutyholders’ Regulations in 2023, where we expect that anyone who is the building ‘dutyholder’ where design or building work is undertaken must use ‘competent’ operatives to carry out the work.
Going for Gold
The result of these changes, understandably, is that main contractors and building owners only want to work with fire alarm sub-contractors who can supply skilled staff with the necessary qualifications – and who can provide evidence, such as a Gold Card.
In addition to these changes, a current rewrite of BS 5839 (Fire detection and fire alarms for buildings). Part 1, which focuses on fire alarm installation and maintenance, will include a new section on ‘competence’.
This will add a requirement for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for operatives. The industry Working Group requested this change, so it is not surprising, but it’s not yet clear what CPD might look like for our sector. For example, will it mean training every six months? Or yearly?
Another area of uncertainty is the update of Part B of the Building Regulations (Fire Safety). Again, we don’t know precisely what will be included, but we should certainly expect more focus on skills and competence.
While these changes were largely out of our control, our sector of the industry must take some responsibility. The fact is, we have enough people to carry out fire safety work, but many of them don’t have the newly required qualifications. Unlike our colleagues in the electrical sector, we’re still playing catch-up on formal qualifications.
But we can’t afford to lag behind – this is the year for fire safety professionals to put training and competence at the top of their business agenda.
The FSA is looking to make this more achievable and cost-effective for employers, without reducing the quality of the assessment. As a business owner, I know that ensuring all employed operatives have an ECS Gold Card has been expensive but it’s also an investment. It’s also imperative for businesses to look at how they bring new people to the industry.
Invest in the future
With our skills and knowledge in demand, it’s an excellent time to consider taking on apprentices, and the framework is already in place. We have the excellent FESS (Fire Emergency and Security Systems) Apprenticeship Standard and we currently have around 1,500 apprentices on this scheme.
Anyone passing the assessment achieves Level 3 and is eligible for the Gold Card. They can also apply for ‘Eng Tech’ status with the IET (Institute of Engineering and Technology). It’s an attractive proposition for a young person looking for a long-term career in our industry.
The course takes around three years (depending on a candidate’s prior learning) and is offered by several colleges around the UK. Moreover, government funding can provide £18,000 for employers taking on apprentices.
We’ve already seen a number of electricians taking courses to add fire alarms to their range of skills. It not only generates additional business for them but also means that main contractors can use a single qualified and competent operative to install and commission the alarm system.
The FSA membership should benefit from these growing requirements for higher standards of training in our sector. The new requirements should also make it harder for less scrupulous operators to undercut reputable businesses, who are working to ensure safety and quality.
All this means it is crucial for fire safety professionals to take a proactive approach when developing in-company skills and competence, so that we can benefit from the opportunities, and meet the challenges, that lie ahead.
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