Apprentices get a model programme

SESCO (South East Security Co-Operative) has drawn up its new Modern Apprenticeship Programme detailing exactly what apprentices will be doing throughout their time as student installers.

The programme has been finalised after months of work by the SESCO committee in consultation with SITO and Waltham Forest College who deliver the training.

SESCO was the first of the co-operative schemes for trainee security installers. Now similar co-ops, operating under the guidance of SITO (Security Industry Training Organisation) cover much of the country.

The programme, in A5 booklet form, covers the SITO/City & Guilds 1851 syllabus and NVQ Levels 2 & 3.

Although the different colleges connected to the various co-operative schemes have slight differences in the delivery of their apprenticeship training, the programme as drawn up by SESCO could be a model on which to build in their own modifications.

The thinking behind the programme is that no matter where apprentices take their training it will be delivered in a uniform way.

George Mullaly, SESCO committee chairman said: "You can see from A-B where you're going to end up in the training, and see your future ahead of you".

Noel Sargent, SITO's Manager of the National Training Programme, said it was a "huge step forward" and he would like to use it across the co-op network with modifications for local needs (for instance one co-op has block release teaching).

The programme will also be a big help to the installation companies who have their apprentices on the scheme. It will enable them to keep track at-a-glance with what their apprentices are doing at any one time during their training. It will let them know exactly what their apprentices have studied and enable them to make more informed judgements on what jobs to send them on. It will also let them know which part the student would do in college and which part the employer would be responsible for.

It will also be used as a recruitment tool and will go out with the SESCO information pack.

The scheme would also be monitored to identify any problems.

Recruiting for SESCO was likely to be September intakes only from now on.

There are vacancies on the committee for new members. Companies interested should contact George Mullaly on 020 8556 1000.