News – Group Horizon

Category: News

50th apprentice passes BEMS Controls Engineer Apprenticeship

On the eve of National Apprenticeship Week, Group Horizon is celebrating another key milestone as the national training provider’s 50th BEMS apprentice has now passed through his end point assessment and become fully qualified.

Delivered by Group Horizon and developed alongside the Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA), the enduringly popular BEMS Controls Engineer Apprenticeship has attracted over 320 learners from more than 100 different employers.

National Apprenticeship Week is about celebrating the value of apprenticeships and highlighting the opportunities available to individuals and businesses. The building controls industry is a great example of a trade sector that is now reaping the benefits of a recruitment strategy centred around apprenticeships. A culmination of many years of work to develop a viable career pathway for the next generation of BEMS controls engineers, the Level 4 programme has revitalised the industry and attracted new talent from across the UK.

The 50th apprentice to complete was Russell McGuiness, now working for Schneider Electric, and he enrolled on the apprenticeship after previously working as an electrician for 15 years. On passing his end point assessment (facilitated by Verge 365) with a Distinction Russell commented: “There was a lot to learn at first, but the structure of the apprenticeship helped me build my knowledge step by step. Throughout the apprenticeship I worked with several training officers, each bringing different strengths and perspectives. I would recommend it to anyone starting out in the industry or looking to strengthen their technical knowledge and understanding.”

End point assessments are carried out by Verge 365 and utilise a mix of practical and written tests to determine if the apprentice has developed the necessary knowledge, skills and behaviours required. To date, 31 apprentices have completed the course with Distinctions.

Peter Behan, Director of Group Horizon, said: “The sustained popularity of the BEMS Controls Engineer Apprenticeship clearly demonstrates the industry’s appetite for a career pathway that combines practical hands-on work with classroom-based learning. We’re extremely proud of all of our newly qualified apprentices and congratulate our 50th trainee, Russell McGuiness, on achieving his Distinction – we wish him all the best as he continues his professional journey as a fully qualified BEMS Controls Engineer.”

Jen Vickers, Vice President, BCIA, added: “I’m delighted the BEMS Controls Engineer Apprenticeship is continuing to go from strength to strength, supporting people to build rewarding careers in our specialist sector, something we are pleased to be benefitting from at Crown House Technologies.

“Reaching the milestone of the 50th apprentice to complete this higher level technical programme is a fantastic achievement – not just for the individuals involved, but for employers and the entire BEMS and building automation community. These apprentices are emerging as the highly skilled engineers our industry needs, and we at the BCIA share their pride as we celebrate this achievement together.”

Group Horizon EWA learners receive their ECS Gold cards

In a landmark moment for Group Horizon and its BEMS Experienced Worker Assessment (EWA) course, the first EWA learners have now received their ECS Gold cards.

The EWA programme – developed in in collaboration with the Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) – assesses and validates the skills and knowledge of workers who did not have the opportunity to undertake an apprenticeship or regulated training route but have gained significant experience in the Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) field. It offers a much needed, highly efficient and cost-effective way of assessing skilled professionals to the same nationally recognised standard as those completing a BEMS apprenticeship, without the need for them to return to college. Importantly, it also enables experienced professionals in the building controls sector to obtain an ECS Gold card.

The purpose of the BEMS Experienced Worker Assessment was to put the building controls sector in a strong position in terms of setting out an industry approved route to qualified status and detailing routes for continuing professional development.

The freshly qualified Gold card holders will be the first of many and further validate Group Horizon’s and the building controls industry’s collaborative efforts to address the industry’s need for formal competency recognition following the retirement of ‘industry accreditation’.

On receiving his ECS Gold card, EWA learner Asanka Kankanige said: “I joined the EWA program with the intention of reflecting on my professional journey and seeking a meaningful form of recognition in the UK. What I found was a process that not only validated my achievements but also challenged me to articulate my growth with clarity and purpose.

“From the very beginning, the experience was thoughtfully structured and genuinely supportive, and the guidance from the Group Horizon team was invaluable. The program encouraged me to look beyond titles and instead focus on the impact I’ve made and the values that guide me.

“Receiving the Gold Card is a personal milestone in my professional career. To be the first candidate to achieve this through the EWA program is both humbling and affirming. It represents not just a recognition of past efforts but a renewed sense of confidence in the path ahead. I want to thank the Mitie BMS Team, including my manager, Chris Plunkett, who supported me throughout the process.

The EWA program offers something truly valuable: a space for professionals to reflect, recalibrate, and be celebrated for who they are and what they bring to their profession. I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking to reconnect with their purpose and take ownership of their narrative.”

Peter Behan, Director of Group Horizon, commented: “The awarding of ECS Gold cards to our first EWA learners is an important moment as the industry strives to alleviate concerns about validating existing skills and preventing shortcuts to competency. This is a significant step forward on the path to raising standards and ensuring professionalism across the sector.”

Stacey Lucas, President of the BCIA, added: “With the drive to raise competency standards across the construction industry, it was a natural decision for BCIA to invest in the development of an Experienced Worker Assessment scheme. The issuing of the first Experienced Worker ECS Gold Cards is a landmark moment – one that celebrates the depth of expertise within our industry and reinforces our commitment to quality and professionalism.”

First Group Horizon BEMS Controls Engineer apprentices awarded ECS Gold cards

Group Horizon is celebrating another major milestone as 20 newly qualified apprentices, fresh from completing the Group Horizon run BEMS Controls Engineer Apprenticeship, have now received their ECS Gold cards.

A highly respected certification and one that demonstrates that the cardholder has completed a formal industry regulated competency-based qualification, the ECS Gold card is for operatives who work unsupervised to install and maintain integrated building controls that manage the environmental services within a building.

Typical work covered by the card includes the installation, commissioning, repair and maintenance of electromechanical, electronic or pneumatic measurement, control and regulation devices used in the building controls industry.

With over 250 learners now enrolled on the Group Horizon run apprenticeship – developed alongside the Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) – and another 20 learners set to complete the programme and pass through their end point assessment before the end of the year, the building controls sector is set to receive an influx of qualified engineers with ECS Gold cards.

The apprenticeship was introduced to address an urgent need to bring skilled engineers into the industry and the awarding of cards to the first 20 fully qualified apprentices is another significant moment in a sustained campaign to close a skills gap that could otherwise hamper efforts to keep the buildings of tomorrow running efficiently.

Peter Behan, Director of Group Horizon, commented: “We are immensely proud that the first of our BEMS Controls Engineer Apprentices are now receiving their ECS Gold cards. The awarding of these cards is further recognition that our newly qualified apprentices have demonstrated the practical and theoretical proficiency required to work on site and are ready to step into roles that will help future-proof our commercial buildings.”

Andy Reakes, Chief Operating Officer at ECS, added: “It is excellent to see the first completions of the Level 4 BEMS Apprenticeship with Group Horizon leading directly to the issue of ECS Gold Cards for building controls.

“These initiatives, supported by employers and industry, are setting a benchmark for building services competence and align with the frameworks of the Building Safety Regulator and the Industry Competence Steering Group, where I have the privilege leading the electrotechnical function. This is another important milestone in ensuring that the workforce is skilled, experienced, recognised, and trusted to deliver to the highest standards of safety and quality.”

Stacey Lucas, President of the BCIA, stated: “The first cohort of BEMS Controls Engineer Apprentices receiving their ECS Gold card is a landmark moment for our industry, and one that the BCIA is proud to have played a part in. This achievement follows the reform of competency standards – a journey we continue to champion to ensure every facet of the construction industry operates at the highest level. Those holding the BEMS Gold Card are true trailblazers, setting a new benchmark for excellence in building energy management systems.”

Group Horizon picks up third BCIA training award

BCIA Awards 2025 - Contribution to Training Award Winners

National training provider Group Horizon has won its third BCIA award in the Contribution to Training category.

Held at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham on 1st May 2025, the BCIA Awards is the flagship event for the building controls industry, celebrating the very best the sector has to offer.

Facing some strong competition, Group Horizon completed its hat-trick of BCIA awards thanks to its Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) Controls Engineer Apprenticeship, which is helping to address a nationwide shortage of BEMS controls engineers. The Apprenticeship previously won in the same category in 2022 and 2023 and the latest award reflects its progress, development and growing importance to the industry since its launch in 2021.

With nearly 250 learners enrolled from 98 different employers, the apprenticeship programme has empowered participants to achieve their professional goals while consistently meeting and exceeding the expectations of their employers. It has achieved an impressive learner retention rate of 91.1%, positioning it among the top-performing programmes of its kind, as recognised by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE).

Group Horizon Director Peter Behan commented: “We are absolutely delighted to win this prestigious award for a third time. Our objective with the BEMS Controls Engineer Apprenticeship was to address an urgent need to bring qualified BEMS controls engineers into the industry and overcome a chronic skills shortage.”

He added: “The feedback from delegates has been excellent and we hope that we can continue helping to provide the engineers to keep the buildings of tomorrow running efficiently.”

First learner completes BEMS Controls Engineer Apprenticeship programme

Group Horizon is celebrating a significant milestone as the national training provider’s first BEMS Controls Engineer Apprentice has now passed his end point assessment (EPA) and successfully completed the Level 4 Apprenticeship programme.

End point assessments are carried out by an independent body and, through a mix of practical and written tests, examine whether the apprentice has developed the necessary knowledge, skills and behaviours outlined in the apprenticeship standard.

As the first of many newly qualified BEMS Controls Engineers, Andrew Knibbs of P A Collacott & Co has demonstrated the drive, determination and aptitude for learning required to succeed in the building controls industry. With more than 40 learners set to complete the programme and pass through their end point assessment before the end of the year, the building controls sector is set to receive an influx of qualified BEMS Controls Engineers at a time when the industry needs it the most.

Developed in partnership with the Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA), the BEMS Controls Engineer Apprenticeship has now attracted over 250 learners from more than 100 different employers. The popularity of the apprenticeship coupled with an impressive and unmatched retention rate of over 90% (as recognised by IFATE) has demonstrated the industry’s appetite for this robust learning pathway which allows apprentices to combine practical hands-on work with classroom-based learning.

Peter Behan, Director of Group Horizon, commented: “Huge congratulations to Andrew for being our first apprentice to complete the programme and qualify as a BEMS Controls Engineer. It’s been quite the journey from initial course development through to our first end point assessment and it’s incredibly rewarding to see all of that hard work beginning to pay off as we look to equip the industry with the skills needed to develop and future-proof the buildings of tomorrow.”

Jen Vickers, Vice-President of the BCIA, added: “Congratulations to Andrew – the first qualified BEMS Controls Engineer to complete the Level 4 Apprenticeship. This is a significant achievement not only for Andrew but for Group Horizon, who have worked tirelessly to ensure that the apprenticeship is fit for purpose and achievable. Credit must also go to Andrew’s employer who will have provided the support network for him to succeed and to the BCIA which as an association will also now benefit from the hard work that was put into developing this pathway and addressing the skills gap.”

Group Horizon is Cyber Essentials Plus Certified

Group Horizon is pleased to announce that it has received Cyber Essentials Plus certification.

Cyber Essentials is a set of baseline technical controls produced by the UK Government and security industry to help organisations – large and small – improve their cyber security defences and demonstrate a public commitment to their network security and the standards to which they operate. Fundamentally, the scheme addresses the most common internet-based attacks that use widely available tools and that need very little skill for the attacker to use.

Cyber Essentials requires organisations to have a number of technical and procedural controls in place to improve their information security in order to mitigate common internet-borne cyber-attacks. Cyber Essentials Plus is a series of tests that provide a further level of assurance that these technical controls have been successfully implemented within an organisation.

Group Horizon has undergone an audit of its IT system by one of Cyber Essentials’ highly trained assessors and can now declare publicly, that the company has been proven to meet baseline security standards set out by Cyber Essentials Plus.

Group Horizon Managing Director Karen Nichols said: “Having already achieved the Cyber Essentials standard we decided we wanted to take our commitment to cyber security one step further and Cyber Essentials Plus is the audited version of the Cyber Essentials information security standard. We are extremely happy to have received this top-level certification so that our clients can be reassured our IT systems are protected by the very best cyber security.”

Group Horizon shortlisted for CIBSE Building Performance Award

Group Horizon shortlisted for CIBSE Building Performance Award

Group Horizon has been named as a finalist in the 2024 CIBSE Building Performance Awards.

The prestigious awards celebrate and recognise the very best people, products and projects that demonstrate engineering excellence in the built environment and are the only industry awards that focus on measured performance outcomes and not just design intent or performance specifications.

With the winners announced at an awards evening taking place on 29 February 2024 at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, Group Horizon has been named on the shortlist in the ‘Learning and Development’ category in recognition for its work in successfully delivering apprenticeships that meet the needs of the building services industry.

The building services industry is seeking to achieve ambitious targets on the journey to Net Zero but for many years has suffered from a lack of specialist training. This, coupled with a skills shortage, which has plagued certain areas of the industry for many years, means that achievement of these targets begins to look increasingly unlikely.

As a national training provider, Group Horizon has sought to meet these challenges head on by engaging with the industry and embarking on a journey to deliver a series of niche apprenticeships which address the need to attract and train new entrants to the market and provide a solution to the long-term skills shortage in the industry.

Commenting on Group Horizon’s shortlisting for the Awards, Peter Behan, Group Horizon Director said: “We’re delighted to be named on the shortlist in the Learning and Development category. In delivering these apprenticeships we have enabled learners to develop relevant and desirable skills that are valued by employers across the UK and it’s a testament to our team that we are consistently recognised as a leading provider of industry specific training.”

Group Horizon at Smart Buildings Show 2023

Group Horizon at Smart Buildings Show 2023

Following a successful show in 2022, Group Horizon is returning to Smart Buildings Show at ExCeL, London on 18th-19th October 2023.

Smart Buildings Show is the UK’s leading exhibition and conference dedicated to the smart buildings industry and provides visitors with the information they need to arrive at an informed decision on how to make their buildings more economic for owners and more functional for occupiers.

The show features a wide range of CPD-accredited training sessions from some of the top names in the industry as well an exhibition hall packed full of leading vendors.

Group Horizon offers courses and apprenticeships that offer a gateway into the flourishing smart building sector, including the BEMS Controls Engineer Apprenticeship Level 4 and the Data Analyst Apprenticeship Level 4. As a national training provider, Group Horizon invests heavily in research and curriculum development to ensure that these programmes are delivered to meet the needs of employers and the smart buildings market.

Come and visit Group Horizon on Stand A25 to learn more about industry focused training courses and apprenticeships.

To book your free ticket(s) for Smart Buildings Show, click here.

Group Horizon Celebrates Renewed Matrix Accreditation

Group Horizon celebrates renewed Matrix accreditation

Group Horizon has once again achieved Matrix accreditation after meeting stringent assessment criteria.

The Matrix standard is recognised within the sector as the international quality standard for organisations that deliver information, advice and guidance (IAG). Having held Matrix accreditation for the past 10 years, Group Horizon has been consistently recognised as a leading IAG provider and is committed to upholding the highest possible standards by benchmarking against best practice.

The matrix Standard comprises four elements:

Leadership and Management
Resources
Service Delivery
Continuous Quality Development

In order to achieve accreditation, an independent assessor must confirm that all criteria are met. As the Matrix standard is an outcome-based standard, the assessor will not only look at the processes used to support delivery but also at the results achieved. Primary evidence is collected through interviews with individuals directly involved in delivery and those affected by it.

Group Horizon’s latest Matrix assessment took place across two days and closely examined the organisation’s approach to supporting learners, employees, partners and employers in providing information, advice and guidance.

Peter Behan, Director at Group Horizon, commented: “We are delighted to have again secured Matrix accreditation and it’s a testament to the outstanding efforts of our team that we will be able to continue to proudly display the Matrix quality mark. Thank you to everyone involved in the accreditation process as well as our exceptional learners and employers.”

Group Horizon Wins Training Award for Second Year Running

Group Horizon wins training award for second year running

For the second year in a row Group Horizon has won the Contribution to Training Award at the BCIA Awards.

As the biggest and best awards programme in the building controls and BEMS industry, the BCIA Awards recognise innovation, product development, project delivery and great training, culminating in a prestigious ceremony at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole.

Facing fierce competition in the form of six other shortlisted finalists, Group Horizon once again claimed the Contribution to Training Award in recognition of its work in successfully delivering the Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) Controls Engineer Apprenticeship Level 4 and helping to bring through the controls engineers of tomorrow.

Group Horizon Director Peter Behan collected the trophy on the night of the ceremony and commented: “We are thrilled to have picked up this award for the second year running. The BEMS Controls Engineer Apprenticeship programme continues to go from strength to strength and Group Horizon are proud to be able to deliver technical training to the next generation of learners.”

More information on the BEMS Controls Engineer Apprenticeship can be found here.