Trend urges more BEMS installers and integrators to take on apprentices
Trend Control Systems, the leading international manufacturer and supplier of state-of-the-art Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS), is throwing its support behind National Apprenticeship Week, which takes place between 14th-18th March, and encouraging more installation and integration firms to nurture young talent. As its own Attitude Apprenticeship Scheme approaches its ninth anniversary, Trend believes the long-term future of the industry depends upon the ability to offer newcomers to the industry an exciting and challenging career.
With building owners and managers under increasing pressure to lower their energy use and reduce their carbon emissions, demand for BEMS has never been higher and is only set to increase. The nation’s 1.8 million non-domestic buildings are firmly on the government’s radar to reduce their carbon emissions, and an optimised BEMS is a proven method of making energy savings of 10-20 per cent by having up to 84 per cent of a building’s energy consuming devices directly under its control.
As the technology becomes better and more versatile, the need for highly skilled engineers to design, specify, install and maintain BEMS systems will only increase. For installation companies, this means attracting employees with the requisite skills that will allow them to grow their businesses and take advantage of this developing sector.
Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) President, Malcolm Anson, said, ‘We need to draw young people into the controls industry and encourage them to view this as an interesting, valuable and long-term career. The BCIA has always been focused on promoting apprenticeships in the controls sector and we support Trend’s initiatives with regard to this issue.’
Trend is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of BEMS, with a worldwide distribution and support network covering over 50 countries. Its Attitude Apprenticeship Scheme combines classroom based learning with ‘on the job’ experience and since its launch in 2007 Trend has successfully helped 53 people become fully qualified, with a further 64 currently in training.
During the four year vocational course, an apprentice participates in a structured educational programme that combines classroom-based learning with ‘on the job’ training. It also delivers the only nationally recognised award for those wishing to embark on a career in BEMS design, installation and commissioning – the Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Installing
BEMS, which is awarded by EAL and endorsed by SummitSkills – the sector skills council for the building services engineering industry.
Ian Lewis, Trend’s Training Manager, concluded, ‘National Apprenticeship Week is a great opportunity for us to highlight the fact that there are significant career opportunities in the building controls sector for the right people with the right attitude. Furthermore, it gives employers the opportunity to help create the next generation of engineers and in turn to benefit directly from their investment.’
Trend wants to hear from anyone who would like to find out more about the Attitude Apprenticeship Scheme. Simply call Sue Sluce, Trend’s Learning and Development Manager on 01403 226433 or email susan.sluce@trendcontrols.com.
For further information please call Trend Marketing on 01403 211888 or email marketing@trendcontrols.com.
