Before joining the Royal Navy, James Turner had already worked in the fire and security industry. So, when his service came to an end he decided to resume the career he had previously enjoyed.
However, James wanted to make sure he re-entered the workplace in the right way, by ensuring his skills and knowledge were up-to-date. He turned to Tavcom Training, a company with a longstanding reputation for helping military personnel become successful security professionals.
James observes how anyone who has spent time in the military has preparedness instilled in them. “When I was preparing to leave the Royal Navy, I wanted to access the best security systems training available.”
He notes how all training courses are not made equal: “There is training available from manufacturers but in my experience, they tend to be little more than glorified sales pitches accompanied by a technical support number. I wanted comprehensive up-to-date theory combined with practical elements such as wiring up a complete fire alarm, intruder alarm, and access control systems to the relevant and professional standards. That is what I got with Tavcom.”
It is the practical and methodical approach of training with Tavcom that James has found invaluable: “When I go to a site and look at a fire alarm system I can quickly ascertain whether it is an L1 or an L4 system. There are many people who have been in the industry far longer than I who would struggle to do that!”
Since leaving the Royal Navy, James has successfully completed Tavcom’s Practical Fire Alarms, Intruder Alarms, CCTV, IP and Access Control courses. However, his overarching ambition was to obtain the Integrated Security Systems – BTEC Level 3 Certificate, an achievement he realised recently.
James comments on the impact training has had on his career to date: “I know I can now prove to my existing employer, Mitie Fire & Security and any future employers that I can do the job to a competent and credible level.”
The value of integrated security systems knowledge was put to good use when his current employer won a major contract to deliver CCTV systems and was later awarded the access control element as well. “My experience on the practical courses and the integrated systems course meant I had all the background knowledge I needed to have a head start for playing my part in this important project.”
Looking to the near future, James is now planning to build on his already impressive CV by becoming a Certified Technical Security Professional (CTSP) and having his name featured on a national register. James concludes: “I am looking forward to hopefully soon having the CTSP post-nominals after my name and playing my part in helping to maintain standards within the security industry.”
For more information about the Integrated Security Systems – BTEC Level 3 Certificate, click here.