Recent moves towards shorter courses with more options for delegates to follow thereafter has proven to be a successful tactic for Group 4 Falck Security Support Services.
In 2001, a mixture of foundation and more intensive training courses for security managers from the in-house sector was the chosen training structure, and this has now been developed and expanded upon for next year's programme. So what courses are on offer, and how can they benefit you, the security manager?

'Security Practice and Management Part 1: Risk and Security Management' is Group 4's popular foundation course. Encouraging delegates to 'identify and support the key objectives of their organisation' – and run over 16 days – it covers risk identification and the management of risk, security surveying, design, electronic security, manned security and basic policy and procedure.

The second part of the foundation course looks at the tools and techniques required to handle specialised security functions, including investigations, bomb countermeasures and drug abuse programmes. Interesting stuff.

Advanced security management
For those who have progressed beyond the foundation course, an eight-day course entitled 'Advanced Security Management' should act as the perfect platform for experienced managers – who have worked in-house for at least five years – to develop their skills.

Modules include corporate security management and professional relationships, strategic management and scenario planning, corporate risk management, counter-terrorism, computer crime and the 'information war', criminology and how to market the security function at Board level.

The 'Essentials of Security Management' course, on the other hand, enables delegates to design, implement and subsequently manage a security system that matches exactly the requirements of their own working environment. An intensive four-day programme will guide you through the principles of risk identification and assessment, in addition to the specification of cost-effective solutions.

Crime prevention and investigation
The aim of Group 4's five-day 'Internal Crime Prevention and Detection' training course is to create an awareness of the problem of internal crime among the security management fraternity, and provide delegates with effective countermeasures for prevention and control.

The course looks at risk assessment methodology, data collection and interpretation, embezzlement, product and materials theft, industrial espionage, the impact of violence in the workplace and malicious damage/vandalism.

'Investigation Practice and Management', meanwhile, affords the senior investigator or security manager the up-to-date skills and techniques needed for the professional management of investigations.

Conducted over a two-week period, the course programme is said to "bring highly participative training methods to content that incorporates a well-proven and up-to-date understanding of human behaviour, verbal and non-verbal communication and the procedures involved in evidence gathering".