Electronic Fire & Security Systems Competition

Overview

The Electronic Fire and Security Systems skills area reflects a fast-evolving life-safety industry driven by technological innovation, regulatory requirements, and increasing demand for integrated security solutions. Competitors undertake practical installation, programming, commissioning and fault-finding tasks across fire detection, intruder alarms, access control and video surveillance systems, working to current British Standards and industry best practice. The career pathway typically begins as an apprentice technician, progressing to installation, commissioning or maintenance engineer roles, with opportunities to advance into senior engineering, design, project management, consultancy, or business ownership within the fire and security sector.

This competition tests a blend of technical skill, industry knowledge, and professional behaviours aligned to real-world fire and security engineering roles. Competitors will demonstrate practical competence in the installation, programming, commissioning, integration and fault-finding of fire detection, intruder alarm, access control and video surveillance systems, working to current British Standards and manufacturer requirements. Knowledge will be assessed through understanding of system design, compliance, regulations, and safe working practices. Behaviours tested include planning and organisation, time management, attention to detail, problem solving, communication during system handover, professionalism, and adherence to health and safety requirements in a live working environment.

The skills you need to demonstrate

Design
Planning
Installation
Take over
Additions
Commissioning
Handover
Maintenance

Useful resources

Prepare for competition success

Our library of endorsed local skills competition briefs ‘benchmarking assessments’ helps prepare learners to build technical skills, productivity, and mindset competencies for national competition success, including employability progression pathways.

Paired with the benchmarking tracker, educators can record progress, identifying strengths and target areas for improvement. Together, they offer a reliable, standards-led framework, creating a sustainable model for skills development that supports educators to empower learners to be competition ready.

Access on the Learning Lab

Entry criteria

This is an individual competition; however, employers and training providers may enter multiple apprentices.
There are no upper age limits for those wishing to compete in this competition.
Competitors are ideally in year two or three of their apprenticeship and must be registered with both an employer and an approved training provider.
Competitors must have core competencies found in apprenticeship standard – Health and Safety, level two maths and English.
Industry experience is required, with competitors expected to have hands-on experience in the installation, commissioning or maintenance of fire and security systems.
Competitors should be working towards a Level 3 Electronic Fire and Security apprenticeship or equivalent qualification. This includes:

Fire Emergency & Security Systems Technician (England)
Electronic Fire and Security Modern Apprenticeship (Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland)
or relevant Level 3 NVQ, SVQ or Diploma pathways.

How it works

1. Register

Registrations open on Monday 2 March 2026, 9am and will close Friday 27 March 2026, midnight.

2. Entry stage

Entry Stage will be released between Monday 2 March 2026 with a final deadline of Friday 3 April 2026.

3. National Qualifiers

Qualifiers will take place between Tuesday 28 April to Thursday 30 April 2026 at The NEC, Birmingham.

4. Training and Development

To help finalists prepare ahead of the UK Final, we will provide relevant technical training and share mindset development techniques, to support them to remain focused on achieving success.

Prepare students and apprentices by engaging with our benchmarking resources to master their skills and mindset masterclasses to build confidence and resilience on the WorldSkills UK Learning Lab.

5. National Finals

Competitors who are age eligible and have achieved the benchmark score will be invited to opt into Squad UK for the WorldSkills 2028 cycle, subject to the skill progressing to the international competition cycle.

6. Squad UK

Competitors who are age eligible and have achieved the benchmark score will be invited to opt into Squad UK for the WorldSkills 2028 cycle, subject to the skill progressing to the international competition cycle.