The security industry is only as strong as the people who power it. On Thursday 26 March 2026, the Smoke Screen team headed to Birmingham City Football Club to take part in one of the most important events in our calendar — the Skills for Security Careers Fair 2026.
And it was a brilliant day.
What Are Skills for Security?
Skills for Security is the UK’s leading fire and security training provider. As a not-for-profit organisation and an Ofsted Grade 2 national provider, they are on the frontline of tackling one of the most pressing challenges facing our industry right now: the growing skills gap in fire and electronic security.
The Careers Fair is one of their flagship initiatives — a focused, practical forum where young people can explore real career pathways, apprenticeship routes, and training opportunities, directly alongside employers and industry professionals.
This year’s event ran from 9:30am to 1:30pm and brought together some of the biggest names in the fire and security sector under one roof.
A Room Full of Industry Giants — And Smoke Screen
Let’s be honest about something: most of the sponsors at this event are significantly larger organisations than us.
Some of the biggest players in the fire and security industry support the Skills for Security programme, and being alongside them — as a specialist security fog manufacturer — is something we genuinely take pride in.
We’ve been proud sponsors of Skills for Security for just over a year. When you look around the room and see the calibre of organisations who share that same commitment to training, to people, and to the future of this industry, it reinforces exactly why we made that commitment in the first place.
This isn’t just a box-ticking exercise for us. It’s a genuine belief that businesses like ours have a duty to invest in the pipeline of talent entering the security sector. If that pipeline dries up, the entire industry suffers — and so do the businesses and people we exist to protect.
Inspiring the Next Generation
The heart of the Careers Fair is conversation. Real, honest conversations with young people who are weighing up their futures and trying to understand what a career in fire and security actually looks like.
Our team spent the day doing exactly that — talking directly with young people, answering their questions, and helping them understand the breadth of opportunities available in this industry. Security fog might not be the first thing a school leaver thinks of when they picture a career path, but there is a whole world of skilled, rewarding and purpose-driven work happening in this sector every day.
We spoke about engineering, installation, product development, and the sheer variety of environments where security professionals work — from high street retail to international logistics, from historic buildings to cutting-edge smart facilities.
The conversations were genuinely energising. These are curious, ambitious young people — and the industry needs them.
Networking With the Best in the Business
Beyond the young talent in the room, the Careers Fair was also a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with peers from across the security industry.
There is something refreshingly collaborative about events like this. Security is a competitive space in many respects, but when it comes to industry development, training, and workforce growth, the sector pulls together in a way that is genuinely impressive. Touching base with fellow providers, sharing thoughts on where the industry is heading, and talking through shared challenges — it’s a reminder that we are all part of the same community.
We had a really good time. And that matters too.
The Skills Gap: Why This Work Is So Urgent
The fire and security industry is currently reporting significant challenges around the availability of skilled engineers and technicians. Demand for compliant, high-quality security systems continues to rise — but the workforce needed to design, install, and maintain them is not growing fast enough.
Events like the Skills for Security Careers Fair are one of the most direct ways to address that gap — not through abstract policy, but through face-to-face engagement with the next generation of professionals.
At Smoke Screen, we don’t just manufacture security fog systems. We believe in the wider ecosystem that makes great security possible: skilled engineers, well-trained installers, and a pipeline of passionate professionals who understand what it means to truly protect people, property, and businesses.
🎙️ The Security Breakdown Podcast — Presented by Smoke Screen
While you’re here, there is one more thing we want to flag.
If you are interested in the security industry — whether you’re a seasoned professional, a new entrant, or simply curious about where things are headed — you need to be listening to The Security Breakdown Podcast.
Hosted by Smoke Screen’s very own Jack and Matt, The Security Breakdown is our podcast where we dig into the real conversations happening across the fire and security sector. From innovation and regulation to workforce challenges, technology trends, and the genuinely strange corners of security that rarely get talked about — we cover it all.
Skills for Security are proud brand sponsors of The Security Breakdown, making it a natural home for conversations about training, careers, and the future of the industry.
“It’s been a whirlwind year for Smoke Screen — and in this episode of The Security Breakdown, Jack and Matt reflect on the big moves and what’s coming next.”
🎧 Listen now:
New episodes drop regularly. Subscribe so you never miss one.
Our Commitment to the Industry Continues
Smoke Screen will continue to support Skills for Security and initiatives like it — because the engineers entering training today are the specialists protecting homes, businesses, and people tomorrow.
The Careers Fair is just one part of that commitment. Whether it’s sponsoring training programmes, hosting conversations on the podcast, or simply showing up and talking directly with young people about what this industry has to offer — we are in it for the long term.
Want to Know More?
Interested in a career in fire and security?
👉 Visit Skills for Security
to explore apprenticeship routes, training programmes, and employer opportunities.
Want to understand more about security fog and what we do at Smoke Screen?
👉 Learn how security fog works →
👉 Explore our full product range →
👉 Get in touch with the Smoke Screen team →
Ready to listen?
👉 The Security Breakdown Podcast on Spotify
👉 Watch on YouTube
