“Life safety industry must try harder on training young talent” warn installers
According to new research conducted by Hochiki Europe, 95% of life safety installers feel that the industry isn’t doing enough to provide training for the next generation of professionals.
With recent figures issued by the Federation of Master Builders suggesting that the shortage of electricians, such as life safety installers, is at its highest level for four years, the skills gap is a pressing issue across the built environment, posing a risk to the industry’s future growth.
The study of European fire safety and emergency lighting installers carried out by the life safety system manufacturer finds that only two-fifths (ie 39%) of respondents work for a company that offers an apprenticeship programme. Just 17% reported that their employer offers a graduate programme designed to attract university leavers to the industry.
Speaking about the findings, Ray Turner (general manager for operations at Hochiki Europe) commented: “The skills gap both in our own sector and across the built environment in general has been a pressing concern for a number of years but, as the survey shows, our industry appears to be doing too little to address the issue. If the industry is to continue to grow into the future, it’s imperative that manufacturers and installers create the training opportunities necessary to equip the next generation with the skills they need to build a fulfilling career as life safety professionals.”