Course

There are two types of course available, an apprenticeship and a NVQ-only for existing fire engineers.


The Course itself is split into three elements:

  • Knowledge – What you will be taught at College
  • Competence – Training and skills that you will receive whilst in the workplace
  • Key Skills – This builds on the basic skills learnt at School. (You will not need to do any key skills if you have gained a GCSE Grade C or above in English, Mathematics and IT.)

Knowledge Competence Functional Skills
City & Guilds 1853 (Fire) City & Guilds 1882 NVQ 2 Communication – L2
Level 2 Certificate in Electronic Security & Emergency Systems City & Guilds 1882 NVQ 3 (Optional) Mathematics – L2
Technical Certificate in Fire Level 2 (Level 3 optional) Providing Security, Emergency & Alarm Systems Information Technology – L1

The course detail is structured below for London and Birmingham day release only and is a general guide to the College structure

The course detail is structured as follows:

1st YEAR
Aug 2011 - Jul 2012 - 1853 Level 2 Fire assignment and Electrical Prinicples and NVQ 2

2nd YEAR
Aug 2012 - Dec 2013 - 1853 Level 2 Fire assignment and Electrical Prinicples and NVQ 2

Jan 2012 - Mar 2013 - buffer term for re-sits / sign up for Level 3

3rd YEAR (Optional)
Aug 2013 - Dec 2014 - 1853 Level 3 Fire assignment and NVQ 3

Scotland is a 3 Year Modern Apprenticeship consisting of a Professional Development Award in Security Systems Engineering and Scottish Vocational Qualification Level 3 in Providing Security, Emergency and Alarm Systems.

What we want from you: Ideally we would prefer for you to have four GCSE (grades C or above) in English, Mathematics, IT and a Science, but most importantly we would like you to be enthusiastic, motivated, a team player, wiling to learn and committed.



National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Option Only

Experienced engineers can now be accredited with a qualification from City & Guilds. We provide the qualifications at either Level 2 Certificate in Providing Electronic Security and Emergency Systems or Level 3 Diploma in Providing Electronic Security and Emergency Systems. Funding is available for Level 2 so the cost to you is just £452 per learner*, a saving of £1348 per learner. Engineers must have at least 2-3 years experience.

For your more senior engineers you may wish to put them directly onto the Level 3 providing the criteria below is met, this qualification is fully funded as long as your Senior Engineers do not already hold any previous qualifications and are going directly onto a Level 3 without age restriction. Engineers for this course must also have at least 2-3 years experience.


Course entry criteria:


  • Aged 19 and over
  • Have lived in the EU/UK for 3 years or more
  • Are not currently receiving Government Funding for another qualification
  • Learners who have not already achieved an equivalent Level 3 or higher qualification and are aged between 19 and 24 years of age will be fully funded.
  • Learners who have not already achieved an equivalent Level 2 or higher qualification and go straight on to a Level 3 qualification then their learning will be fully-funded.
  • Learners who have not already achieved an equivalent Level 3 or higher qualification and are aged over 25 years of age will be co-funded.
  • Temporary agency workers will also be fully-funded for a retraining Level 3 qualification. However, there are additional requirements that must be taken into account.
  • Ex-service personnel under a Ministry of Defence Initiative will also be fully funded for Level 3 qualifications.
  • All other eligible retraining Level 3 qualifications will be co-funded with an expected employer contribution of 50%. A list of eligible retraining Level 3 qualification are published by the Agency and can be found at http://skillsfundingagency.bis.gov.uk/providers/programmes/ttg/.
  • In 2010/11 the funding rules for Level 3 qualification above will also apply to carry-over learners.

Full terms and conditions apply

* Cost subject to change