Back to the classroom

As a result, a great deal of emphasis has been placed upon training, including how much training activity has taken place and over what period of time, and whether said training met minimum standards – with the result that competency outcomes have often been ignored and continuous professional development has been virtually non-existent.

In developing its Core Competency Training and Qualifications for Security Guarding Specification, the Security Industry Authority (SIA) has adopted an extremely pragmatic approach, endeavouring to create some balance between the input and outcomes while also considering current Best Practice, the operational requirements of industry and the essential skills needs of those people working in the guarding sector.

The end result is a document which, if closely adhered to, should result in a veritable renaissance for classroom-based training.

First, the SIA has recognised the value of the existing industry National Occupational Standards (NOS). Specifically, in all Core Competency Specifications produced to date it has stated: "In approving standards, the SIA has taken into consideration the existing National Occupational Standards (NOS). NOS are statements of competence and written to measure performance outcomes. NOS must be considered one of the most important factors in future planning."

Throughout its Specification – certainly when and where applicable – the SIA has also mapped the new training and qualifications against existing NOS, with the relevant standard and standard-setting body indicated. By creating this link to the NOS, the SIA has ensured an identifiable signposting to continuous professional development. NOS can be used for a whole range of Human Resources-related activities such as initial recruitment and selection, personal and occupational development, change management, specifying further education and training and succession planning.

A further – and highly significant – requirement relates to the trainers themselves. Trainers are now required to be of a higher standard, more accountable and able to demonstrate a positive impact on individuals' performance. The SIA Specification states: "Approved trainers delivering programmes against this specification must have successfully completed a formal training or instructional qualification programme."

The good news for SITO-trained trainers is that if they have already attended and passed the 'Train the Trainers' Programme, the SIA will not require them to attend a further trainers' course as their existing certification is included on the Approved Trainers' listing.

That said, the growing body of evidence that quality training delivered by well-qualified trainers enhances the level of learning outcomes has led SITO to totally rethink its programme. Our new course – launched in October last year, and which leads to the City & Guilds 7302 Level 3 certificate in Delivering Learning – is immensely popular with both new trainers and those looking to enhance their existing knowledge and qualifications.

Trainers delivering the mandatory core competency training must demonstrate that they have the necessary understanding of the security industry and subject-related security functions

A need for understanding
The SIA Specification comments that: "Trainers delivering the mandatory core competency training must demonstrate that they have the necessary understanding of the security industry and subject-related security functions." It also says: "Additionally, approved trainers delivering training against the Part 2 Communication Skills and Conflict Management Specification must have successfully completed a Conflict Management Trainers course as defined by the Awarding Body offering the qualification."

Working within a tri-partite relationship with the National Open College Network (NOCN), one of the SIA-endorsed Awarding Bodies – and more importantly alongside Maybo, a leading provider of conflict management solutions – SITO has developed a three-day programme to train conflict management trainers in line with the SIA's scenario-based training requirement. What's most encouraging is the high number of trainers coming forward to be trained, which is a sure indication of the industry's commitment to ready itself for licensing.

The result of this encouraging uptake can only mean that, in the future, we'll have a tier of qualified, sector-competent trainers with a diverse range of new skills that will further enhance the image of our industry and actively encourage capable individuals to train as security professionals.

Concentrating on Best Practice
The issue of current Best Practice has also been addressed by the SIA, and a useful list of historical and existing qualifications provide exemption from the three-day Part 1 of the Core Competency Training, meaning that a very high percentage of security officers will only be required to attend and pass the one-day Part 2 Conflict Management and Communications course (for which there are no exemptions).

Those companies that have invested in their people to date – and there are many – will no doubt be delighted by the following words of reassurance: "Security officers who have successfully achieved an award/qualification in a security discipline and hold a certificate which has been awarded by a Qualifications and Curriculum Authority-approved Awarding Body may be exempt from Part 1 of the Core Competency Training."

Another major change is the move away from in-company certification: "Only full certification from a QCA/ACCAC-recognised Awarding Body will be acceptable evidence of successful achievement of the Core Competency Training" states the Specification.

SITO's basic training programmes will all lead to examination-based Level 2 qualifications awarded by NOCN, but companies will have a choice of Awarding Bodies to work with as City & Guilds, Edexcel and NCFE have all indicated an intention to offer appropriate qualifications.

If your organisation purchases its security services on a contractual basis – or indeed provides such services – you need to ensure that trainers are sector-competent, and hold a recognised training qualification. Make sure they've attended a Conflict Management Trainers course, and that security officers possess qualifications exempting them from Part 1 (or are working towards exemption).