Women engineers are the future: Banham Academy and the National Security Inspectorate join forces to launch apprenticeship programme aimed at attracting more women to the sector

Banham Academy – the leading accredited provider in England for apprenticeship training in fire and security systems– has partnered with the National Security Inspectorate (NSI) to launch an apprenticeship training programme for women to encourage them to embark on careers within the fire and security sectors.

The free-to-attend training programme, for women aged 16 and over, will take place during 13-17 June 2022 and will be held at Banham Academy in Earlsfield, South West London, which was recently awarded an Ofsted ‘Good’ provider with ‘Outstanding’ learner behaviour and attitude.
The training will provide attendees with an understanding of the functions of fire, CCTV, intruder alarms, access control systems, and the role of the systems technician.
By the end of the one-week course, trainees will have learnt how to take over a system, diagnose and rectify faults. Course participants will also receive a daily lunch allowance, travel expenses as well as a certification of completion.

Kevin Faulkner, Head of the Banham Academy, is determined to close the gender gap within the security and fire sector and encourage women to break stereotypes associated with the industry.

He said: “Here at Banham Academy we believe that addressing the problem of under-representation of women within our sector is not merely for statistical gain, but for the betterment of our industry.

“We want to shake up the fire and security industry and make it more accessible, inclusive, and create fruitful careers for everyone.”

On the final day of the complimentary apprenticeship training programme, Banham Academy will bring trainees together with a range of security and fire safety companies who are looking to recruit promising female technicians for apprenticeships, and ideally, a permanent job at the end of it.

“My hope is that the women who attend our June training programme will go on to work in the security and fire safety industry,” said Faulkner. “We have trained several young women through our academy with great success – current trainee Jessica Goodson was named BSIA Apprentice of the Year 2021 and came second in the fire security section of the national ‘Engineers of Tomorrow’ competition – so we know there is an appetite, but we all have a duty to ensure that such training programmes are easily accessible to all genders. “ 

Richard Jenkins, NSI Chief Executive added: “This pioneering training programme will provide women with greater insight and knowledge on the pathways to becoming a fire and security systems technician. It is focussed on equipping women with hands-on training and a chance to hear first-hand from those already working within the sectors. “Commitment to diversity and inclusion is high on the progressive business agenda. This programme will create a new channel of opportunity for businesses in the security and fire safety sector to bring the benefits of diversity to the workplace, with well qualified talented women trained in the application of the latest technologies. ”Women in both London and beyond are urged not to pass up this incredible opportunity to discover if a career in the security and fire sector is a good fit for them.

No experience is necessary and women can register their interest to attend Banham Academy and NSI’s free apprenticeship training programme here.