With stiff competition from rival companies across the UK, Kasar Mahmood has become the winner of the British Security Industry Association's (BSIA) Apprentice Installer Awards.

Tim Prag, regional manager for Abel, nominated Kasar for his keen attitude and a desire to understand as much as he could about the security industry. His enthusiastic participation in training and the ability to excel in pressured situations was also noticed.

"Having already won the Apprentice of the Year Award from a local training agency in his first year at Abel, and now this national award there is no doubt that Kasar is a great engineer in the making" said Tim

"Over the last three years he has worked incredibly hard to achieve his current status and is a credit not only to Abel but the industry as a whole"

21 year-old Kasar, from Primrose Bank, received a cheque and certificate from Sir Ronnie Flanagan during a ceremony at the London Hilton Hotel in Park Lane. David Dickinson, BSIA chief executive said: "With such committed people in our industry, our future is in safe hands. BSIA members are always keen to encourage young apprentices like Kasar"

The British Security Industry Association covers all aspects of the professional security industry in the UK. Its 570 members provide more than 70% of UK security products and services and adhere to the strictest quality standards. Abel has been a member of the BSIA for 20 years.

Abel has a well established scheme to encourage young people to join them and pursue a career in electronic security systems. This includes day release for approved college courses and distance learning so they can go on and become fully qualified security system engineers.