Security Apprentices, Alex Blakey, David Penman, Jordan Ringrose, Louis Taylor and Stephen Thompson have been wowed by the facilities available at the Skills Academy.
A unique new partnership has provided opportunities for companies throughout the north east to offer apprenticeships in the growing security sector.
Access have provided and managed apprenticeship programmes in the region for over 10 years but when they struggled to find delivery partners this year, it looked like they would have to disappoint some of the employers they have dealt with for a number of years and the young people they were looking to recruit.
However, they were to find the answer literally on their doorstep, the Gateshead Skills Academy. The Skills Academy, home for Access since 2008, is also the base for the Collective, a consortium of training providers which includes Gateshead College’s work based learning unit. Discussions between the 2 organisations quickly led to the development of a programme managed by Access but delivered by a team of tutors from the college and specialist training provider Cablecom.
The first apprentices started their programme in October and have been wowed by the quality of the facilities available at the Skills Academy which includes a bungalow built in the middle of the centre, where apprentices are taught to install fire and burglar alarms, door entry systems and CCTV surveillance equipment.
Elaine Hall, Manager of Durham based security company CDS Limited, has 3 apprentices on the programme, Jordan Ringrose, 18 from Cramlington, Arron Lockey, 19 from Houghton le Spring and David Penman, 18 from Newcastle.
Elaine says: “It is important that we continue to recruit and train high quality security engineers. This industry is becoming increasingly sophisticated and we need to ensure that our staff have the skills to offer our customers the highest possible service.
“Access have helped us to recruit a number of apprentices over the last 10 years and this new partnership, and the excellent facilities available at the Skills Academy, will certainly encourage us to recruit more apprentices in the future.”
Access Managing Director, Malcolm Armstrong, added: “The apprentices have embarked on a challenging apprenticeship, which include Key Skills, NVQs at levels 2 and 3, and City and Guilds Technical Certificates covering electrical principles.
“The 3 year programme of day release and on the job assessment ensures that they are well prepared and trained for their roles as Security Systems Engineers.
“They will benefit from the support of committed employers and the combined efforts of Access, Gateshead College and Cablecom. That sounds like the basis for a secure career.”
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More than just a training provider…
Gateshead-based Access Training provides upskilling courses and apprenticeships in HR, project management, team leading and management, accountancy, business administration, learning & skills teaching, and fire, emergency & security systems.
We have been delivering training programmes for businesses and individuals across the North East for over 40 years. We have a genuine interest in the success of the companies we work with and the people we train, and we aim to provide a personal, bespoke service.