The Last Word with Kelly Nock: How Xact Consultancy and Training is addressing fire safety skills gaps
Iain Hoey
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Kelly Nock, Director of Xact, discusses how Xact Consultancy and Training is responding to growing competency demands in fire safety
Can you provide an overview of Xact Consultancy and Training?
Xact was founded in 2004 with a mission to provide quality fire safety training, qualifications and apprenticeships which support individuals and stakeholders to maximise their business potential by enhancing their workforce’s competence and skills.
Our offering includes a range of industry recognised and regulated qualifications from level 2 to level 5, targeting a range of fire safety professionals.
As well as bespoke learning opportunities in niche areas of the industry, including hospitals and sports grounds.
Our portfolio offering also includes apprenticeships at Level 3 and 4, providing employers an opportunity to tailor training pathways for their workforce.
How is Xact’s offering meeting the growing demand for competency in the industry?
Post Grenfell, the increased legislative and industry requirement for competency is reflected in the growing service offering Xact provide.
Qualifications and training pathways are now in unprecedented demand, fuelled by the continued shift beyond the traditional competency requirements of fire safety professionals and the need for upskilling across the built environment.
The launch of the Fire Risk Assessment suite of qualifications is just the beginning of Xact’s continued commitment to meeting these expanding training requirements within the industry.
What do Stakeholders tell you is their biggest barrier to learning and how are you addressing this?
Stakeholders report that their biggest barrier to learning is keeping pace with the speed of centrally produced updates.
While they welcome the improvements, many find it challenging to ensure that staff members are continually up to date with legislative updates.
This has highlighted the need for employers and learners to treat professional development as a planned and continuous element of business continuity rather than something reactive.
They also identify ongoing difficulties in recruiting and retaining competent individuals within the fire‑safety sector.
Employers increasingly recognise the importance of engaging potential professionals earlier and developing a sustainable talent pipeline.
To address these challenges, we are promoting apprenticeships as a practical and forward‑looking solution.
Apprenticeships allow employers to use available funding, provide structured learning beyond qualifications and grow talent from within.
This approach supports workforce stability while helping organisations keep pace with evolving standards.
What is the future for Xact Consultancy and Training?
Xact have recently joined the CERTANIA group, an international group working within the TICC environment.
As part of the newly launched UK Buildings and Infrastructure division of which Xact form an integral part of their overarching goal.
Training and development are not a nice to have, it’s fundamental to ensure the entire built environment can continue to expand, upskill and ultimately provide a dedication to the protection of everyday life.
