SERC Duo Share NITTAN Shield Fire Apprentice of the Year

Two Level 3 Fire & Security Apprentices at SERC have jointly lifted the Nittan Shield Fire Engineering Apprentice of the Year title for 2022 at the College.

Apprentices Alexander Wallace (Saintfield), employed by Building Protection Systems (NI) Ltd, and Jonny Hamilton (Bangor), employed by Atlas World, are the first to share the Award.

SERC Fire and Security Lecturer Robin Hamill said, “This award reflects each young man’s performance throughout the year, not only in competitions - both achieved podium places at SkillBuild, and Alexander was  gold medal winner at WorldSkillsUK Finals - but also how they conduct themselves at work and in the College, as well as how they get on with their coursework and assignments.   It was impossible to find fault with either of them, which is why they are both commended for their efforts and achievements and recognised with the Apprentice of the Year award.”

Lee James, Nittan Europe Ltd, General Manager for Product Marketing said, “As a manufacturer, Nittan values and fully supports the work being done by SERC, and by our elite partner for Northern Ireland, Solutions for Systems, who take the time to train and support these apprentices.  Nittan works closely with both organisations to ensure the College has the industry-leading products it needs to train the apprentices and to get the Fire Engineering Apprentice of the Year award underway."

He added, “The fire industry represents a good career choice, with engineers always in demand, and with the current skills gap we now more than ever must ensure young people have the training resources they need to be able to learn and develop the appropriate skills.”

SERC has been instrumental in supporting the introduction of the Northern Ireland Fire and Security Employers Federation and the development of new courses and upskilling training for the industry. Employers and manufacturers have contributed state-of-the-art products the College to support teaching and continuing professional development.  

Find out more about apprenticeships with SERC.