Next generation of life safety engineers supported by Hochiki Europe

The Banham Academy is a leading specialist training provider in England delivering the Level 3 Fire, Emergency and Security Systems (FESS) apprenticeship to apprentices across the country. Graduates leave the Banham Academy with vital skills and accreditations, enabling them to embark on fruitful careers within the fire and security industries.

Apprentices are released from their employer to train at the Banham Academy's educational training centre for 15 weeks, over a three-year period, duly undertaking a combination of coursework and practical training. Successful completion of the course sees each apprentice awarded with qualifications and invaluable credentials for their career ahead.

Further, as the Banham Academy is the first Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)-approved training centre, employers gain a competitive edge as graduates are officially recognised and accredited by the IET as engineering technicians.

Range of devices

Hochiki Europe has donated a range of life safety devices to the Banham Academy’s newly-opened training centre in Derby, including addressable panels, smoke and heat detectors, sounder bases and beacons, relay units, Call Points and remote indicators.

Kevin Faulkner, operations director at the Banham Academy, explained: “We are grateful to Hochiki Europe for its donation of life safety systems to our second training site in Derby. The Banham Academy is reliant on donations from manufacturers within the fire and security industries to allow our apprentices to continue their training on leading products that are trusted by installers and end users and are of the highest quality.”

Faulkner continued: “The development of competency when it comes to installing, commissioning and maintaining fire and security systems is an important part of the learning that we provide at the Banham Academy. This vital hands-on learning allows our graduates to become proficient in handling life safety products and systems with the utmost knowledge and care.”

Accessible location

As stated, the Derby facility is the second Banham Academy, allowing the delivery of apprenticeships for even more young people from across the UK. Not only is the Derby facility bigger, but – and crucially – the location makes it more accessible for students based in the North.

Nathan Hudson, sales and marketing director at Hochiki Europe, commented: “We’re delighted to be able to help the Banham Academy because we know how important it is to encourage and support career development as well as assist the next generation of life safety engineers across the country.”

Hudson added: “Compliance is crucial in our world. We design and manufacture products which are trusted to not only save lives and property, but also reduce false alarms. This is only possible when installation is compliant. Our aim with this donation is to enable the Banham Academy to deliver hands-on and compliant training using the latest life safety technology.”

The Banham Academy in Derby has 125 students on its books at present, but by the end of the year the expectation is that this number will rise to 200.

*Further information is available online at www.hochikieurope.com