Against the backdrop of a significant gap between the security sector’s 1,200 apprenticeships and its 30,000 engineer shortage (BSIA/Skills for Security), RISCO is looking beyond school leavers as the traditional source of new talent, by recruiting its latest apprentice from elsewhere in the electronics sector.
Technical support apprentice
Conor Doyle, 23, joins the manufacturer and distributor of cloud-based security solutions for the UK and Ireland as a technical support apprentice, bringing him a diverse range of relevant experience.
While living in Australia, he paired a sales and marketing role with that of an electronics repair technician, having previously established his server group with a friend and built PCs in his spare time.
Wired, wireless, and bus-enabled solutions
He will handle some of the 23,000 calls received annually by the company, providing first-line technical support
Doyle’s apprenticeship is being delivered with provider, Skills for Security, and will result in a customer service practitioner level 2 certificate.
Intensive instruction on products including RISCO’s award-winning wired, wireless, and bus-enabled commercial and residential solutions including the new integrated alarm and smart automation RisControl solution will be followed by a role in the company’s expanding technical and installer training department, where he will handle some of the 23,000 calls received annually by the company, providing professional security installers with first-line technical support.
Free face-to-face technical tuition
Led by a technical and training manager and product support specialist, the department also includes a sales engineer, technical support and training engineers, and a second apprentice. In addition to providing UK-based telephone advice, the team offers installers free, bespoke, face-to-face technical tuition at their premises, RISCO’s UK headquarters in Greater Manchester, and branches of ADI Global Distribution; it also runs regular webinars.
Said RISCO’s UK and Ireland Managing Director, Mark Taylor, “We launched our apprenticeship programme in 2022 and were quickly impressed by the contribution that our school leaver apprentice made to our installer support service."
Apprenticeship programme
Mark Taylor adds, “This year, we have recruited a young man who has already gained valuable experience outside the security sector and look forward to nurturing his interest and proven talent in a role that will see him providing informed, rapid telephone support for installers delivering projects ranging from residential to large, multi-site commercial and industrial contracts, including Grade 3 installations."
He continues, “We are excited to see him flourish and build a long-term engineering career in security, helping to safeguard the future of this vital and tremendously rewarding industry.”