Chris Lewis Fire and Security has won Medium Employer of the Year award in the South East Learning and Skills Awards.
Now in their fourth year, the awards celebrate excellence in vocational education across the region, acknowledging the outstanding achievements of individuals and organisations whose commitment to learning and skills serve as an example and inspiration to everyone.
Recognising that continuous technological advancement in the security industry would innevitably create a skills gap, the company started its Apprenticeship Programme over 12 years ago to develop young talent within the business. Since then, Chris Lewis Fire & Security has taken on and successfully trained 15 engineers and two IT apprentices. It has also encouraged two existing members of its customer service team to undertake apprenticeships.
Petra Merne, Marketing Director at Chris Lewis Fire and Security said, “It is a great privilege to have won this award. I am thrilled, especially because we were up against some awe-inspiring competition. We plan on continuing our work within learning and development in the drive to constantly strive for excellence in our workplace.”
Apprenticeships allow the company to instil its values and customer service ethics in staff at an early stage in their careers. Once qualified, apprentices are encouraged to advance their skills further within the company, which helps to retain and motivate good staff and keep recruitment costs low.
In 2009, four Chris Lewis Fire & Security apprentices were placed in the top five in the country in the security industry’s Apprentice Skills Challenge. The company's five year plan includes provision for the recruitment of five new apprentice engineers a year to keep pace with business growth.
Further information about the South East Skills Awards 2010 can be found at www.learningandskillsawards.org.uk