Expert Installer is a free training scheme run by Aico to ensure electrical contractors have all the information they need to install domestic Fire and Carbon Monoxide Alarm systems. The training is modular, allowing customers to choose the appropriate topics. Many of the modules are CPD accredited, allowing up to 5 hours 15 minutes to be earned of CPD time.

Tina Mistry, regional specification manager at Aico, attended the ECA awards evening at the Hilton Bankside Hotel in London in June 7.

She said: “It is fantastic to win this award. Training the electrical industry and sharing best practice is what we passionately do on a daily basis.”

The training is delivered in ways that are convenient to Aico’s customers. This includes a dedicated training centre, Mobile Training & Demonstration Units and training held at customer’s premises. Aico’s Centre of Excellence is a purpose-built training and meeting facility located in Oswestry, Shropshire.

Highlights include a workshop for hands-on training with a smoke chamber to view alarms in action and ‘Ember Place’ - a furnished bungalow fitted with suitable Aico products. Aico’s Mobile Training & Demonstration Units are scaled down mobile versions and enable training to be delivered right to customers’ doors.

Ross Cheeseman, director at Luro Electrical Ltd, added: “We have been fitting Aico Alarms for eight years now. We only use Aico Alarms as they are the most reputable brand and are market leaders. Expert Installer is fantastic, it was helpful in knowing what new products are coming and the changes to legislation, including BS 5839 and Scottish legislation.

“It was also interesting to know what products are best suited to what areas. The mobile unit is brilliant, it is much more interesting than sitting for hours in front of a slide show. The amount of information we got through in three hours was educational.

“Other manufacturers mainly do presentations on product but Aico goes well beyond that and delivers it in a more engaging way. It enabled us to have a good discussion after the training as well. I feel it gives us the confidence as a contractor to suggest and advise clients rather than just taking instruction from the client. Expert Installer is 100% valuable to the industry.”