Eight apprentices from across the UK have secured a place in the national finals of the WorldSkills UK 2025 Fire & Security competition, a key initiative aimed at recognising and elevating emerging talent in the electronic security sector.
Organised by Skills for Security, the competition forms part of a broader effort to promote careers in fire and security, while benchmarking practical skills against national standards. This year’s finalists were selected following a rigorous assessment process that began in April 2025 at The Security Event in Birmingham.
Darrell Gilmour, Director of Technical Training at Skills for Security, emphasised the value of the initiative: “WorldSkills UK gives apprentices the chance to demonstrate their capabilities in a simulated working environment—where precision, technical knowledge and professionalism are paramount. Events like these build confidence, raise standards, and help shape the next generation of security professionals.”
The qualifying rounds challenged participants with tasks focused on core technical skills including wiring, installation and regulatory compliance. The assessment was overseen by representatives from two leading inspectorates in the sector—the National Security Inspectorate (NSI) and the Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB)—ensuring that all activity met current industry expectations.
Among the eight finalists, two are current apprentices with Skills for Security: Matthew Cox, employed by DCA Security Systems, and Joseph Jenkins, who works at AGS Security Systems. Their achievement reflects both personal commitment and the quality of vocational training they’ve received.
They will be joined by six other finalists representing training providers and employers from various parts of the UK:
- Joe Meara (Hopwood Hall / Check Fire and Security)
- Toby Moulder (SGS College / APM Fire and Security Ltd)
- Zeki Kaya (South Eastern Regional College / Specialised Fire and Security)
- Luke Wilson (South Eastern Regional College / Atlas World)
- Alex Punyer (South Eastern Regional College / ADT)
- Declan Oniell (Banham / ADT)
The national finals will be held at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s Waterfront Campus in Swansea on 26–27 November 2025, with the awards ceremony scheduled to take place at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Newport on 28 November 2025.
This competition continues to gain strong backing from across the industry. Financial sponsors include CSL Group, The Security Event, and Texecom, with Eaton, GS Yuasa Battery, Fenix Monitoring, Honeywell and Dahua listed as supporting partners. The impartiality and technical accuracy of the judging process are assured by NSI and SSAIB, who bring sector credibility to the evaluation process.
For Gilmour, the competition is not just about awards, but long-term impact: “WorldSkills UK opens new pathways for apprentices—whether through employment opportunities, personal growth or even international recognition. We’re proud to be involved in an initiative that both celebrates and strengthens the future of the UK’s fire and security sector.”
The announcement of this year’s finalists signals another step forward for the industry’s talent pipeline. As the sector continues to grapple with skills shortages and increasing technical demands, initiatives like WorldSkills UK play a crucial role in encouraging the next wave of professionals to step forward.