A skills body for the private security sector has been launched, which organisers say "heralds a new era for skills development and training investment".

Skills for Security will incorporate SITO, which has been divested from the BSIA, and will become fully operational on January 1 next year. It follows a two-year research and consultation project, under the auspices of the Security Industry Authority, to look at the future skills needs of the security sector as a whole, incorporating all key industry sub-sectors.

The chairman of the Skills for Security board is Lord Stevens of Kirkwhelpington, with Linda Sharpe its interim chief executive.

"Our objectives are to improve skills, raise performance, and provide training solutions that are accessible to all," Sharpe said. "We aim to achieve this by building on training and qualification systems that are relevant to sector needs.

"The structure of the organisation is specifically geared towards developing services that are employer-driven. Another major role will be influencing Government policy in relation to the education needs of the sector and identifying and reducing skills gaps and shortages."

SITO managing director Stefan Hay said: "Clearly SITO is delighted to be at the heart of the new body, but also recognises that this is a major change and one that will alter some of the dynamics with our customers and partners. However, the potential rewards ahead are substantial, notably in terms of greater recognition within the wider skills environment and, consequently, access to more resources that will enable us to meet the merging requirements of our sector's skills strategy."

Source

Security Installer