Work Experience Helps Owen into Fire and Security Systems

 Owen Brady, (19), from Lisburn is a first-year student on the Level 3 Fire & Security Systems Apprenticeship NI at SERC’s Lisburn Campus and is employed by Beacon Fire & Security.

Owen completed his GCSEs and A-Levels before progressing to SERC. Deciding the university route was not for him, Owen was keen to progress. but wanted something more hands on. He said, “A friend of mine from football was following the fire and security systems apprenticeship and I have an uncle who works in the sector, which helped spark my interest. I came along to an open day at SERC to find out more, to speak to tutors and to see exactly was involved.”

“I organised to do some work experience with Beacon Fire & Security in Lisburn over the mid-term break. This experience convinced me this was the route for me, so I applied for an apprenticeship position with them and started on the Level 3 Fire and Security Systems Apprenticeship NI with SERC in September.”

He added, “We are full on in work all the time, but coming to college one day a week gives you the opportunity to get to grip with the theory and the terminology and standard procedures for the work.   The lecturers in college are very knowledgeable and of course you get to work with different engineers at work, so you are learning all the time.

Owen continued, “My advice to anyone interested in this type of work is to try and get some work experience first and see if you like it.   This will give you an insight into the kind of everyday work you might be doing.   It helped me decide my next step."

The young man who took part in his first Skillbuild Competition recently said, “Competitions like Skillbuild are new to me.   It was a challenge, but it was good to see all my learning, skills and experience come together since I commenced the course.   The feedback was invaluable, as you learn immediately where you did best and where you could have done better.   It was also a great opportunity to meet different apprentices from different year groups and hear about their work.”

Owen concluded, “The facilities for the course are excellent.   The fire and security systems workshop is like a mini site, and we are learning on the latest industry equipment, which is great.” 

Apply now for courses commencing September 2024.   Come along to our full-time open evening from 4.00pm – 7.00pm on Thursday 7 March at the Bangor, Downpatrick, Lisburn and Newtownards Campuses.