Installation/Service Apprentice Engineer

VANGUARD ALARMS LTD

TELFORD (TF1 1SG)

Closes on Sunday 20 September 2026

Posted on 18 August 2026


Summary

This role suits someone who has completed the early stages of a security systems apprenticeship or equivalent training and is ready to take the next step. You'll be working alongside our experienced engineers on a varied range of installations and maintenance visits across intruder alarms, CCTV and access control. 

Training course
Fire emergency and security systems technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday - Friday, 08:30 - 17:00.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 5 October 2026

Duration

3 years

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

First 3 months:

Cabling & Installation:

  • First and second fix cabling across intruder, CCTV and access control installations
  • Device installation and fixing - PIRs, contacts, cameras, readers, keypads
  • Cable routing, containment and termination under supervision
  • Assisting on panel wiring and device connection

Maintenance Support:

  • Attending planned maintenance visits alongside a senior engineer
  • Device testing and reporting findings
  • Replacing consumable parts - batteries, fuses, basic components
  • Completing job sheets accurately on site

General Site Conduct:

  • Safe working practices and tool handling
  • Keeping vehicles and equipment tidy and stocked
  • Customer interaction - professional conduct on site at all times
  • Timekeeping and reporting to lead engineer

Learning Objectives:

  • Developing familiarity with the main system brands used across the customer base
  • Understanding the difference between Grade 1, 2 and 3 intruder systems
  • Building knowledge of NSI standards and what compliance looks like on site

What is NOT expected in first 3 months:

Unsupervised commissioning or programming:

  • Independent fault diagnosis
  • Customer-facing call-out attendance alone

3- 6 months:

Installation:

  • Taking greater ownership of cabling runs and first fix with minimal oversight
  • Device installation across all three disciplines with reducing supervision
  • Beginning to assist with panel wiring and basic termination checks
  • Contributing to site surveys and material estimates alongside senior engineer

Maintenance:

  • Attending planned maintenance visits with increasing independence on routine tasks
  • Completing full device test sequences with sign-off from senior engineer
  • Identifying and reporting faults accurately with suggested remedial action
  • Beginning to attend straightforward reactive callouts accompanied

System Knowledge:

  • Developing working familiarity with key panel brands across the install base
  • Understanding basic programming concepts - zones, outputs, user codes
  • Recognising common fault conditions and their likely causes
  • Growing confidence reading wiring diagrams and installation documentation

Customer & Site:

  • Managing own conduct on site without prompting
  • Communicating professionally with customers on routine matters
  • Completing job documentation independently and accurately

Learning Objectives:

  • Ready to assist on commissioning under direct supervision by end of month 6
  • Developing capability toward lone working on straightforward maintenance visits. Building toward first unsupervised reactive attendance on minor faults

Where you'll work

2 HAYGATE ROAD
WELLINGTON
TELFORD
TF1 1SG

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

SBC TRAINING LIMITED

Training course

Fire emergency and security systems technician (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Comply with safety legislation, codes of practice, risk assessments, method statements, safe systems of work and apply control measures.
  • Complete functionality tests of systems and components during commissioning systems.
  • Apply and implement system design, planning and installations including additional components to existing systems.
  • Carry out takeover procedure, diagnose and repair faults.
  • Operate ICT equipment and systems to store, retrieve, manipulate, transmit or receive digital data and electronic information.
  • Comply with environmental and sustainability, regulations and standards.
  • Complete functionality tests of systems and components during handover of systems.
  • Carries out risk assessments.
  • Communicate with others verbally for example, internal and external customers, colleagues, and managers using sector specific terminology.
  • Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders, as part of a team. Consult and engage with occupants or others who are or could be affected by work (for example vulnerable, older, and disabled people) and respond appropriately.
  • Communicate with internal and external stakeholders using sector specific terminology through written means.
  • Plan and install systems cabling.
  • Carry out maintenance activities on fire detection and alarm systems and their components.
  • Carry out maintenance activities on intrusion alarm, access control, video surveillance (CCTV) and their components.
  • Comply with safety legislation, codes of practice, risk assessments, method statements, safe systems of work and apply control measures.
  • Complete functionality tests of systems and components during commissioning systems.
  • Apply and implement system design, planning and installations including additional components to existing systems.
  • Carry out takeover procedure, diagnose and repair faults.
  • Operate ICT equipment and systems to store, retrieve, manipulate, transmit or receive digital data and electronic information.
  • Comply with environmental and sustainability, regulations and standards.
  • Complete functionality tests of systems and components during handover of systems.
  • Carries out risk assessments.
  • Communicate with others verbally for example, internal and external customers, colleagues, and managers using sector specific terminology.
  • Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders, as part of a team. Consult and engage with occupants or others who are or could be affected by work (for example vulnerable, older, and disabled people) and respond appropriately.
  • Communicate with internal and external stakeholders using sector specific terminology through written means.
  • Plan and install systems cabling.
  • Carry out maintenance activities on fire detection and alarm systems and their components.
  • Carry out maintenance activities on intrusion alarm, access control, video surveillance (CCTV) and their components.

Training schedule

Fire Emergency and Security Systems Technician Level 3.

4 day working week with your employer Vanguard Alarms, one day at SBC Training Ltd as part of your Apprenticeship Training programme.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

MATH & ENGLISH (grade 4)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Physical fitness

Other requirements

  • Full UK driving licence - essential
  • DBS check will be required prior to commencement
  • SIA licence not required at this stage, but awareness of the licensing framework is beneficial

About this employer

Established in 1974, Vanguard Alarms Ltd is a leading provider of security systems across Shropshire & surrounding counties. As an NSI NACOSS Gold accredited company with a BS EN ISO 9001:2015 quality management system, we are committed to delivering reliable and effective protection.

https://vanguardalarms.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

Full-time engineering role.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

SBC TRAINING LIMITED

Dave Collins

dave.collins@sbc-training.co.uk

07809657796

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000048734.

Apply now

Closes on Sunday 20 September 2026