Training for Security

The introduction of the Security Industry Authority (SIA) has resulted in a significantly greater level of regulation across the Industry – particularly in the manned guarding sector.

Here, it is no longer possible to employ guarding staff that have not been licensed; furthermore, it is not possible to gain the appropriate licence without relevant and necessary training. Training therefore is a vital part of today’s security environment as it assures the requisite expertise of your security staff and also permits efficiencies within companies if it is applied on a multiskilling basis. This article will examine the training requirement available within the security sector and examine opportunities offered by staff multi-skilling.

BACKGROUND

Over half a million people work in the UK Security Business Sector, from security guards and door supervisors, through to close protection officers and alarm installation engineers. A wide variety of training opportunities exist to generate a workforce that is highly trained and fit for purpose with skills that are up to date and appropriate to meet the requirements of today’s security environment, which are recognised and accredited at a national level. This final point is important within the context of establishing security and security personnel on a professional footing to get away from the old ‘bouncer’ routine of a few years ago. Clearly the introduction of security-specific training can only be to the advantage of the customer; and the provision of a professional, licensed, service, regulated by a Government sponsored body is persuasive and attractive to a customer requiring a security service. However, training and licensing inevitably requires investment by the security company, the cost of which will ultimately be met by the end-user. But, by tailoring training packages on a bespoke basis to meet individual customers needs, it may be possible to realise efficiencies across the work force that, to a reasonable degree, may compensate for any additional cost.

TRAINING PROVISION, QUALIFICATION AND ACCREDITATION

There are a great number of security training providers to meet the requirements of all the various sub-sectors of the security industry. The important point to note when selecting a training course or a training provider is to ensure that the training provided and qualification awarding body is formally recognised and accredited. Until recently, the Security Industry Training Organisation (SITO) was the standards authority on all issues relating to security training. On the 1st January 2006 however, in conjunction with the Security Industry Authority, Skills for Security was created, subsuming SITO, and became the skills and standards setting body for the security sector. The organisation aims to work with employers to raise skill levels and provide a workforce that is highly trained and fit for purpose. The Skills for Security Training Co-operative Network was created to address the skills shortage of qualified engineers in the security systems sub sector, by providing a professional Advanced Apprenticeship programme that was industry led. This has developed into six regionally based co-operatives in the UK with established Apprenticeship schemes designed to produce the skilled professionals the industry needs. At a national level, the Learning Skills Council in England and Education and Learning Wales are responsible for planning education and training in England and Wales, and may also offer funding support towards qualifications for licensing.

MULTI-TASKING

By employing manned guards in roles beyond or associated with security, it should be possible to slim down the work force and furthermore, to keep a security professional available throughout the working day rather than only during the quiet hours, as is often the case. By designing and employing a bespoke training package, an opportunity clearly exists to combine security roles with other equally as important functions such as: The security guard is invariably the first point of contact in a crisis; where better to lodge your First Aid or Health and Safety expertise? Another obvious opportunity within the same context would be to employ the security guard in a reception or front of house role thereby ensuring a vital element of security expertise is included amongst more general ‘meet and greet’ personnel.

TRAINING PLANNING

The training plan for the organisation’s work force should be an element of the overall security plan dealing with all aspects of an organisations security and contingency operations. The key to obtaining an effective training package is to identify in the first place what is required of the individual to be trained, ie, what do you require him/her to actually do. The customer should conduct an objective examination of the work force with a view to identifying what functions can feasibly be carried out by the same individual. Deadlines, shift patterns, numbers and job locations need to be included in the examination process to as to provide a flexible and achievable result. Implicit within this is the performance standard required for each area of activity, for this will determine the level and complexity of training to be carried out.

THE TRAINING PLAN

The following security training plan illustrates how, using a modular training programme, enables the various aspects of a security officer’s assignment instructions or responsibilities to be introduced incrementally, thereby building up a robust knowledge base:

TRAINING VALIDATION

Another vital element of any training activity is assessment and feedback to verify and validate the training received. All members of the team should periodically and frequently be subjected to measures designed to validate their training knowledge gained through the training provision. This is best done by penetration testing using a variety of relevant scenarios to test the response of the security force. Incidents, suspect packages, intruders and fire practices are good examples all of which should incorporate additional elements to reflect the multitasking ie, first aid, communication, health and safety etc. Finally, a good training plan should detail the responsibilities of management with regard to the maintenance of the training techniques and material to ensure the training programme remains up to date and relevant, and the training processes are fully effective and represent best value for money. At contract renewal with the security provider, the customer should establish whether the provider utilises an internal training provision or chooses to outsource his training task. Clearly a security provider with organic, in-house training available offers greater flexibility and the prospect of creating a pan-company training package to suit exactly what the customer requires. This adoption of a training package catered to meet the customers individual needs will ensure security remains robust whilst allowing staff to be employed across multiple responsibilities thereby maximising effectiveness, remaining fully efficient and keeping costs to a minimum.

CONCLUSION

Security is increasingly becoming a sophisticated, professional activity requiring licensed staff, which should be employed after an appropriate level of training has been successfully completed. The provision of training inevitably requires investment and financial outlay, however, it may be possible to offset additional costs, and introduce greater levels of efficiency across the company by training personnel on a multi-skilled basis. Key to this is robust planning to identify where opportunities exist to employ multi-skilled staff and furthermore, to develop the foundation of a training plan, which in conjunction with your security provider will ensure the selection of the right training service to meet your needs.