Author Archive

Vacancies: Fire & Security Engineer

July 19th, 2022

We are currently recruiting for a Fire & Security Engineer to join our every expanding team to support the ongoing growth of our company.

  • Full Time, Permanent Position
  • Based in Newport/Cardiff Area
  • £34,000 – £46,000 per annum based on basic + standby + callout (depending on experience & qualifications)

This is an interesting role with lots of variety within an SME, family-run business based in Newport working in the Newport/Cardiff area. Crimewatch Alarms Ltd & C W Electrical have been successfully operating in the Fire, Security and Electrical industry for nearly 40 years. We are industry leaders with a reputation for quality and the highest standards in all that we do.

Successful candidates will be responsible for installation, service, and maintenance of various fire & security systems. These include both wired and wireless systems, emergency lighting, AOV, warden call, refuge systems, intruder detection and CCTV.

If you think you suit the job description, please get in touch.

Job Summary:

  • Full-time, permanent position
  • Salary in the region of £34,000 – £46,000 per annum depending on experience and qualifications
  • Paid weekly
  • JIB Benefits including workplace pensions and BUPA Private Healthcare
  • Reporting to the Fire & Security Systems Supervisor
  • On-call 1 week in 7 (STC)
  • Team performance bonus linked to company profit share
  • Company uniform & PPE
  • Modern company van
  • 24 days annual holiday plus 8 days statutory bank holidays (32 days total)
  • Working for a company committed to regular training to support the role and a friendly, positive work environment.

Required Education, Skills & Qualifications:

  • Full UK driving License
  • 2 plus years Fire & Security Systems Installation Experience
  • FIA Qualifications (desirable)
  • Passing of DBS check required on induction

Please contact Andrew Hutchins by email andrew@crimewatchalarms.co.uk or by telephone 07814580473

Going the Extra Mile for Apprentices

April 13th, 2021

As you are probably already aware, here at CWE we are very proud of our award-winning Apprenticeship scheme and we are always very willing to share our best practice and the knowledge we have gained over the last 40 years wherever we can.

In the last month we have had two apprentices join the team on a short-term basis from two of our framework partners. We have been operating a ‘shared’ apprenticeship approach for many years, giving our framework partners the opportunity to send across their apprentices to make sure they can carry out all the works required for their NVQ as we appreciate not all companies and work forces have access to the full range of Domestic, Commercial and Industrial works required to complete the qualification.

In March, Layarna joined the Fire & Security Systems team. Layarna is an electrical apprentice in her 3rd year looking to increase her knowledge in Fire Alarm system installation. Layarna was mentored by our engineer Tom on a large wired system installation and she was with us for 2 weeks.

Last week, Taylor joined our engineers Adam & Kris in our New Build team on site last week to complete installation of containment to complete his NVQ 3. Taylor is also with us for 2 weeks, and this work is one of the last items he needs to complete his coursework.

We wish them both luck with the rest of their apprenticeship and we are glad to have been able to help them on their journey.

At CWE, we whole heartedly believe it is important to give back to our industry. It is vital that we come together to collaborated, this way we can work together for their future ensuring the standards remain high and our industry keeps growing for generations to come.

 

Article by Rachel Meese-Kendall

International Women’s Day 2021

March 8th, 2021

Did you know that at CWE two of our four Board of Directors are Women?

We are proud of all the wonderful people that make CWE the business it is.

Today we celebrate all the wonderful women in our business: Judith, Judith Mc, Shannon, Taylor, Joanne, Katy & Rachel. You are all strong, courageous women who inspire me every single day. Thank you for playing such an integral role in our business, steering the ship at its helm.

Here are a few of these wonderful women

Today we shine the light on you!

Happy International Women’s Day

Constructing the Future: the tale of two bright sparks

February 11th, 2021

 

At CWE we pride ourselves on our commitment to life-long learning, from apprentice to Supervisor & Director level. Today we are bringing you two inspirational stories from our Supervisors both of whom completed their apprenticeships at CWE.

I just want to take this opportunity to thank Llewys & Callum for giving up their time to outline the importance of apprenticeship schemes and the role apprenticeships have played in their careers. Both work closely with our apprentices and are true role models of what you can achieve if you pursue a career in our industry.

Llewys, Fire & Security Systems Supervisor

“In school, I realised early on that I preferred a more ‘hands on’ approach to learning rather than the more traditional academic route. My brother was an electrician, and while I was completing my A levels during the week in school, I found myself on site at the weekends learning the trade and it was here I found a real keen interest in Electrics.

I started my apprenticeship at CWE in 2008 and even before I completed my Level 3 electrotechnical qualification and had qualified as an Electrician, I had already completed extra qualifications including my City & Guilds Inspection and Testing certificate. By completing this qualification during my apprenticeship, I was able to automatically qualify for Approved Electrician Status two years after I had qualified and get the higher rate of pay.

Llewys2

Within my first year of becoming a qualified electrician I had moved over to the Fire & Security arm of the business and started to quickly gain experience and knowledge on our specialist systems and again found myself carrying out further fire industry accreditations and qualifications to further my career progression.

Fast forward a few years later, I am now one of the Fire & Security Systems Supervisors at CWE running a team of 6 plus engineers and apprentices.

If I could give any advice to someone considering an apprenticeship in construction, I would say you learn something new everyday with no two days ever being the same. You have an opportunity to earn a decent wage whilst pursuing your trade, it’s a no brainer!”

Callum, Fire & Security Systems Supervisor

After completing Sixth Form in school, I didn’t feel university was the right path for me as I was keen to get into the world of work and earn money to create independence for myself. I started applying for jobs and secured myself an interview for a position as an Administration Assistant at CWE.

I hadn’t long started the interview, when company director Judith picked up on my keen interest in Electrics and suggested I pursue the apprenticeship route. Directors Judith & Harry, put me in touch with my local training provider and told me if I pass the initial evaluation there will be an Apprenticeship waiting for me at CWE.

Callum2

I started my apprenticeship in 2010, and I quickly saw the benefits of hands-on learning combined with classroom learning. This method of learning allows you hone on particular areas of the job and work on perfecting your technical skills whilst learning from like-minded mentors. This really helped my learning experience but also made the process really enjoyable for me.

Like Llewys, once I had completed my apprenticeship I moved across the Fire & Security Side of the business and further my qualifications & knowledge; my most recent qualification was becoming an advanced installer through the Fire Industry Association.

As a Fire & Security Systems Supervisor, I would highly recommend an apprenticeship to anyone. It really is an opportunity to get a career not just a job. I took an opportunity offered to me ten years ago and look how far I have come already.

If I could give advice to any young learner it would be: to always pay attention to what your mentors are doing, the experience and knowledge you can gain from watching a tradesperson can really enhance your skills, and you pick up little gems of knowledge & skills which cannot be taught in the classroom.”

 

Article by Rachel Meese-Kendall

National Apprenticeship Week 2021 at CWE

National Apprenticeship Week 2021 at CWE

National Apprenticeship Week 2021

February 9th, 2021

This week is an important date in the CWE calendar as we celebrate #NationalApprenticeshipWeek2021 – Keep your eyes peeled over the next few days for case studies and stories from our rising stars.

We will bring you pictures and stories from our apprentices both past and present. We will be highlighting the importance of investing in new learners and celebrating the workforce of the future.

Apprenticeships have played a massive role in growing CWE as a sustainable business over the last forty years. We estimate that more than 60 learners have been enrolled on our apprenticeship scheme over the decades and we are still investing in the scheme!

Our #apprentices play an integral role in our business and we would like to take this opportunity to thank our training provider, Coleg QS based in Cwmbran, for their ongoing support with our learners and our scheme. We would also like to thank each and everyone of our amazing clients; it is thanks to your ongoing support that we can continue to provide our award-winning apprenticeship scheme, thank you.

If you would like any more information on #apprenticeships in the #construction industry, please feel free to DM

#Apprenticeshipweek #WelshApprentice #NAW2021

CWE Apprentice wins Ken Baynton Award 2019

November 11th, 2019

We are over the moon to announce that our Apprentice (now fully qualified engineer) Jack Noyes has won the very prestigious ECA Ken Baynton Award 2019 for the highest AM2 score of 98% in the South Wales region.

We are all so proud of him for winning this award, what an achievement Jack! CWE is completely committed to our award winning apprenticeship programme, and for one of our own to be recognised by the ECA for the 5th year in a row is absolutely incredible. Thank you

#CWE #ECA #Awardwinning #Electricalcontractors #Apprenticeships #excellence #awards

Jack Noyes, CWE

Jack Noyes, CWE

ISO: Passed with Flying Colours!

April 18th, 2018

Monday and Tuesday saw CWE’s reassessment for ISO9001:2015 for Quality Management and ISO14001:2015 for Environmental Management.

Over the course of two days, Directors Rachel & Andrew underwent an in depth audit of all management systems within the company framework by a UKATA accredited ISO Assessor.

Rachel said ‘This is our fourth audit with an ISO assessor but this is our first full reassessment of our systems. Sometimes audits can be daunting, but we were excited by the opportunity to show off the quality of our work practices and the quality of our staff, and this was picked up in the excellent report we received back from the assessor’.

We are pleased to report that the audit was a complete success! So much so, that no issues or non-conformances were raised.

Rachel went on to say ‘as a Director, I am so proud to be reading a report by a third party of an international standard which uses language and phrases such as ‘extremely high standards of commitment’, ‘exceptional’ and ‘excellent’; it is humbling to know people outside our organisation can see what we see.’

The successful completion of this audit sees CWE retain is ISO status for a further three years.

Big Ben, Big Exhibitions and Big Awards!

October 19th, 2017

We are only 20 days in, but October has already been a remarkable month here at CWE towers.

We started off the month with a trip to London, not to buy a heat magazine, but as a guest speaker in Parliament would you believe! Our Director, Andrew headed to London as a representative of the Joint Industry Board (JIB) for the official launch of the ‘ECS Registered Electrician Status’. As the Chairman of the South Wales Regional JIB and a member of the National JIB, Andrew is well versed in the importance of ensuring our industry undergoes a dramatic overhaul to ensure all electrical practices in the UK are carried out safely and by qualified electricians. Andrew says ‘it is important to recognise the skills and knowledge of our qualified electricians across the UK, the campaign will hopefully encourage the industry to use the scheme to ensure all electrical works going forward are carried out by competent, qualified and registered engineers.’

Andrew on the 'Shine a Light' Campaign

Andrew on the ‘Shine a Light’ Campaign

The ‘Shine a Light’ campaign aims to recognise qualified ECS Electricians and to start encouraging the first steps towards licensing the industry. This registered status will be available to all ECS Installation & Maintenance Electrician card holders who are qualified in the current regulation edition of the BS7671 Wiring Regulations. All applicants of the Registered Electrician status will also need to sign up to a Code of Professional Practice as part of this campaign to raise the standards of the industry.

After this amazing start to the month, two of our apprentices, Peter and Lloyd spent the day at the SkillsCymru exhibition in the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff. SkillsCymru is the largest exhibition for jobs and skills in Wales; it is an interactive event that displays the wide variety of careers available to young people in Wales. It is an amazing event that houses all sorts of industry from Food & Drink to SFX Costume and makeup design.

Industry demonstrations at SkillCymru

Industry demonstrations at SkillCymru

The pair spent the day talking and interacting with many of the thousands of young people from all over Wales attending the exhibition, explaining and outlining the benefits of an apprenticeship in the Construction industry as a career option. They gave demonstrations to the visitors, showing them some of the basics including a short demo on how to wire a plug. We are so proud of both Peter and Lloyd for the hard work they put in for the ECA Exhibition stand, they gave 110% and I dare say they have encouraged many into the profession, well done lads!

Peter, Rachel & Lloyd

Peter, Rachel & Lloyd

Also, this Friday sees our other Director, Rachel, returning to the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru at the Celtic Manor in Newport. After our impressive win in the small business category last year, Rachel was asked to return to the awards this year as a panel judge for the awards and also as a validation judge for the small business category. All of us here at CWE would like to wish all the finalists the best of luck, it is truly an honour getting to this stage, you should be very proud of such an achievement.

New Recruits!

September 29th, 2017

Happy Friday Everyone!

We thought we would take this opportunity to welcome two of our newest recruits, Jordan and Robert, to the CWE team. Both Jordan and Robert joined the company just over a month ago and are settling in nicely into their traineeship as electrical apprentices.

Following Gavin and Rachel’s presentation at a Croesceiliog High School back in February, Jordan and Robert attended an open day at Coleg QS to see what the apprenticeship was all about. After signing up for the September course, both were selected from a number of aspiring future apprentices to come to CWE to carry out their traineeship. We are very pleased with their progress and wish them luck for the duration for their apprenticeship.

This weekend also sees our Director, Rachel Kendall, take to the streets of Cardiff to complete the half marathon alongside 24,999 other aspiring runners. She has been training hard to complete her first ever half marathon whilst simultaneously raising money for the restoration fund for the Usk Royal British Legion. We wish her luck and look forward to seeing how she got on.

That’s all folks for another very busy week at #CWETowers – hope you have a wonderful weekend, and good luck to all running the Cardiff Half Marathon this Sunday from all of us here at #CWE, we’ve got all our fingers and toes crossed the weather stays nice!

Jordan, Robert & Andrew

Jordan, Robert & Andrew

Day Three of the Apprentice Case Study

March 10th, 2017

Lloyd is a level 3 apprentice in his 2nd year at college. Lloyd decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and train to be an electrician. With his dad being in the industry, Lloyd was brought up on apprenticeships and knew the route he had to pursue to get to where he wanted to be.

For Lloyd, the best part of completing his apprenticeship with CWE is the variety of work: ‘You learn a lot. One day you could be helping out on an electrical upgrade and the next repairing a faulty fire alarm.’

Lloyd would definitely recommend an apprenticeship as it is a job and a trade for life.

Lewis - Level 3 Apprentice

Lewis – Level 3 Apprentice

This is Lewis and he too is a level 3 apprentice in his 2nd year are Coleg QS. Growing up Lewis wanted to be a tradesman. He first heard about apprenticeships from his brother and he was the reason Lewis first started looking at apprenticeships.

Lewis enjoys everything about the apprenticeship programme; he loves a challenge and learning new things but for him, the best part is working alongside qualified, JIB electricians. Lewis says learns a lot from his mentors.

 

Peter - First Year Apprentice

Peter – First Year Apprentice

Meet Peter, our newest recruit in the Apprenticeship Team. Growing up he wanted to be a Police office, but after leaving school, Peter weighed up his options and decided that tracking down an apprenticeship was a great career choice. He first heard about apprenticeships through his career advisor at school. Peter enjoys the practical element of his apprenticeship the most.

When asked about his apprenticeship, Peter said ‘CWE are really good, they are dedicated to helping you finish your apprenticeship’.

Aged 22, Peter said that the first year can be tough and that you need to prepare yourself for it, but it is 100% worth it as you have a job for life.