The BPEC has opened a new Fire, Emergency and Security Systems (FESS) End-point Assessment (EPA) facility in Derby for apprentices, marking a major milestone in the continued expansion of the FESS apprenticeship programme across the UK.

The FESS Assessment Bays were formally opened by Neil Collishaw, CEO of BPEC and Trevor Jenks, National Training Manager at Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB) and Super Sector Lead for the FESS sector.

Supporting national routes to competence

The new apprenticeship programme in Derby is set to play a vital role in increasing local access to EPA for learners completing the FESS apprenticeship, aiding the developing needs across the sector.

This launch is said to be a significant component of BPEC and SSAIB’s shared commitment to empowering excellence and supporting the national routes to competence programme.

The EPA facility is set to deliver assessments for the FESS apprenticeship programme standard, ensuring it continues to meet the needs of industry and employers alike.

“Providing local accessibility”

Jenks commented: “As the industry’s technical Inspectorate SSAIB is the driving force behind the FESS route to competence and raising the bar within our sector.

“This is a major step forward in providing local accessibility against the industry-relevant technical assessment competence standards needed to meet the challenges of the fire and security technicians of the future.”

The new EPA facility is said to build on previous collaborative successes, including the launch of the FESS Experienced Worker Assessment (EWA) facility by Banham Academy – also located in the same building as the BPEC HQ.

“High-quality apprenticeships”

Collishaw highlighted: “At BPEC, we are committed to supporting high-quality apprenticeships and skills development.

“This new EPA facility is a tangible step in providing accessible, industry-relevant assessment for the next generation of fire and security technicians.”