North Shields-based 2020 Vision Systems Ltd has been selected to provide a fully-integrated security system for The University of Birmingham, after winning a competitive European tender. The firm believes securing the contract is partly thanks to their recent investment in training for the firm’s senior management team.
The deal involves supplying video surveillance and access control for a new 780-bed student accommodation block, a sports centre with Olympic-size swimming pool, a library and a comprehensive school, which will all be built on campus.
In response to a new government requirement for tenderers to have qualifications that prove their capabilities, 2020 Vision Systems enrolled two of its senior team on a Leadership and Management higher apprenticeship with Access Training. Sales manager Neil Titterington and engineering manager Graeme Lloyd have gained Chartered Institute of Management Level 5 Diplomas in Leadership and Management.
Neil Titterington explains more: “Around 70 percent of our business is in the public sector. It became clear to us that to remain competitive during the pre-qualifying questionnaire (PQQ) stage for European contracts, we needed to be able to prove on paper we are fully qualified to manage large scale projects.
“Experience used to be enough but now qualifications are essential – it’s another criteria they’ve brought in to help shortlist tenderers, basically. That’s why we got in touch with Access Training – we needed to demonstrate how capable we are and we’re seeing the training paying off now.
“All managers can learn more, even if you’ve been doing it for decades. I have found the change management element of the course particularly useful. Learning how to put a bit of structure to the change process has improved results.”
The higher apprenticeship is designed for managers to support the development of their leadership and management skills. It covers strategic decision making, managing budgets, planning and implementing change, leading teams and managing projects.
The University of Birmingham contract will see five 2020 Vision Systems technicians on site for two years.
2020 Vision Systems is owned by Peter Houlis, managing director, and operations director, Peter Jones. The firm was set-up in 1992 and originally focussed on supplying CCTV to city and town centres. Now employing 31 people, the company has evolved and supplies fully-integrated, cutting edge security systems to large organisations from central Scotland down to the M4 corridor.
Access Training is an award winning training provider with offices in Gateshead, Newcastle and Chester-le-Street and has helped over 5,000 people start and develop careers. It offers apprenticeships at intermediate, advanced and higher levels in a wide range of occupational areas.
For information about management training call 0191 490 2377 or email info@accesstraining.org