Andrew Knibbs blazes the trail for other BEMS Controls Engineer Apprentices

The Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) is delighted to announce Andrew Knibbs, Trainee Controls Engineer at PA Collacott & Co, is the first learner to have passed the End Point Assessment (EPA) and successfully completed the BEMS Controls Engineer Level 4 Apprenticeship programme – leading the way for fellow apprentices and talented young professionals to follow in his footsteps.

As the first to complete the programme and pass through the EPA, Andrew demonstrated the determination, focus, and drive to further skills and expertise needed to succeed in the industry. This is vital given the building controls sector, and the built environment as a whole, is currently facing a skills shortage.

As an association that focuses heavily on professional development, the BCIA led the development of the apprenticeship programme – the only focused apprenticeship available to the sector – to help ensure the future of building controls.

The programme offers a balance of on-the-job assessments and technical training, covering all aspects of the industry, with a further 40 learners also due to complete the programme this year. Training is led by Group Horizon’s specialist tutors, who bring unrivalled experience and knowledge in their chosen field.

Additionally, the EPA – carried out by an independent body – features a mix of practical and written tests to examine whether the apprentice has developed the necessary skills, expertise, and knowledge outlined in the apprenticeship standard. 

Andrew revealed his absolute delight at completing the apprenticeship programme and highlighted the support and guidance he’d received. He said: “I’m thrilled to have completed and passed the End Point Assessment and become a fully qualified BEMS Controls Engineer. It’s even more of an honour to know I’m the first to have finished the apprenticeship programme.

“The support and assistance I received through the programme was outstanding and the experience of the trainers made such a difference. Programmes such as this one are absolutely vital and will help so many of the young talented professionals coming into the sector to develop and really secure the future of this fascinating and rewarding industry.”

Wendy Belfield, BEMS Controls Engineer Trailblazer Chair , was quick to praise the hard work and dedication of all involved. She said: “Since its inception in 2018, so many people have come together at every stage of the process to make this moment happen, including the dedicated team of employers who worked with the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) to get the qualification designed and approved, and the unerring and professional support of the BCIA to help produce the learning materials for the extensive range of knowledge areas.

“Numerous interested parties turned it down because the predicted numbers were unknown and the BEMS sector was so specialist and niche, but thankfully Group Horizon and Verge 365 spotted the real opportunity, brought their version of energy to match that of the employers, and the first cohort started in September 2021.

“So, after this amazing journey and the support of so many BEMS employers and apprentices, we have our first qualified apprentice. What an achievement for everyone involved. Let’s keep the ball rolling, let’s keep pushing for better, and seek to make the skills in our sector world-leading. Onwards and upwards!”

The BEMS Controls Engineer Apprenticeship  programme has now attracted more than 250 learners from more than 100 different employers and boasts an impressive retention rate of more than 90%.