Trailblazing The Way For Apprentices

CIA is investing in the future of the country’s next generation of security and fire professionals by committing to developing the new Trailblazer Apprenticeship Scheme standard for industry apprenticeships.

It is working with a dozen employers in the UK that are key influential players within securities industry.  Working alongside national companies including Kings and Banham, and regional organisations such as Wessex Fire and Security, who equally prioritise the importance of working to the highest standards in workmanship and quality, CIA is determined to create an apprenticeship that ensures school leavers from 2017 will develop all the skills required to become security and fire technicians of the future.

The Trailblazer Apprenticeship Scheme is a government scheme that has entrusted employers to develop full and beneficial apprenticeships based on their awareness and understanding of what is needed within their own industry.

With over 40 years experience in training and apprenticeships, CIA is supremely qualified to undertake this work and Andrew Jenkins, Technical Director, is now working on the apprenticeship scheme to create the assessment plan before the end of the year as the next phase of the development.

Currently CIA is drafting the apprenticeship assessment plan and its framework has been approved by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), a government organisation spearheading the initiative with apprentice trailblazers.

The new set of apprenticeship standards, named Trailblazers, has been created by a group of employers for employers to mould around their specific industry and deliver to young adults.  Funding is available for 16-21 years olds to encourage them to consider the apprenticeship route, while apprentices up to 25 years old can also still get their fees or a percentage of their feeds paid for.

This first-of-its-kind apprenticeship scheme aims to equip employers with the confidence that their apprenticeship will develop the specific, dynamic and all-encompassing skills required to bring value to their company and industry.

It is thought that employers will consider the trailblazer apprenticeship scheme to be of significant value and will therefore be a much sought-after way to train new employees.

The new standard has received so much support that for the first time, the government investment will be provided alongside funding for vendor qualifications.  The trailblazer standards will replace current apprentice arrangements from 2017.

At present, CIA has 10 apprentices, all at different stages of their apprenticeship.  The current apprenticeship scheme is an intermediate NVQ L2 apprenticeship, while the new apprenticeship scheme will provide them with an advanced NVQ L3 qualification.