Evolution launches Training Academy to address industry skills challenge

The Training Academy looks to welcome a range of potential employees, from new starters through to more experienced engineers with time served. For beginners, Evolution will provide training on the elementary skills including basic circuits, relays, lock and reader circuits and practical skills such as soldering. For more experienced engineers, the purpose is to upskill with training on specific fire and security systems and technologies that Evolution specifies and installs. These include (but are not restricted to) CCure, Lenel, Kantech, S2 Systems and Honeywell.

The training will not only be personalised and bespoke, but it’s also ‘mobile’ such that it can be delivered remotely across the entire Evolution footprint.

Louise Gough (pictured, right), HR manager at Evolution, has stated that the launch of the Training Academy represents a significant investment: “We assess the skills levels and knowledge of every candidate when they apply to determine their training requirements,” urged Gough, “and then create a four-day training programme tailored to their needs.”

According to Gough, the skills shortage should be a concern for all those engaged in their industry. “The challenge is how do companies attract, train and retain the best talent and one of the answers to that is by teaching engineers Best Practice from the start. By subsequently building on those good habits, we create a new generation of engineers who are highly professional, highly skilled and add real value to the companies they work for and, indeed, the clients they serve.”

Further, Gough observed: “We support engineers with not only the technical knowledge needed to support the demands of current and future systems, but also the ‘softer’ skills that our clients have come to recognise as setting Evolution apart from mainstream providers.”

The training is ongoing. Gough explained: “The candidates we seek are naturally inquisitive and engaged. That’s why our training is constantly updated and refreshed, both to satisfy their own appetite to learn, but also to ensure their knowledge reflects the broad range of skills that a modern day engineer needs to work across multiple departments and teams.”

The initiative coincides with the recent announcement that Evolution has signed the Armed Forces Covenant and joined the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (Bronze) as an organisation that has pledged (and will demonstrate) support for the Armed Forces and defence community.