The Training Initiative Award is presented to an organisation or individual whose development programmes have aided the promotion of sound working practices in the security industry
Winner

Tavcom Training

As one of the UK's most established independent security training providers, Tavcom Training had – until recently – heard an ever-recurring plea from its students... "Why isn't there a raft of standardised vocational qualifications in the security systems sector acceptable to employers in the UK and abroad, and regulated by an authoritative, independent body?"

With this in mind, Mike Tennent – Tavcom's director of training – met with Edexcel, whose BTEC courses are offered in over 300 training centres worldwide. Thorough scrutiny by Edexcel has allowed Tavcom to offer such courses to installers, operators and managers alike. To September, Tavcom had welcomed no less than 175 students through the doors of its Hampshire hq.

Runners-Up

The Oracle
At The Oracle – a 22-acre shopping and leisure centre in the heart of Reading – the public safety team comprises 30 staff including controllers and CCTV operators monitoring over 150 cameras. Members of the team operate on a rotational shift basis round-the-clock, 365 days per year. Each member of the team has to undertake a comprehensive training programme that encompasses fire prevention, control and restraint, first aid, lift entrapment and customer service skills.

Tavcom has set new standards with BTEC training that the industry would do well to follow. The combination of theory, practical examples and delegate participation works extremely well

Judges' comment

Group 4 Total Security
Group 4 Total Security operates a five-day Initial Training Course for officers, allowing for the practical application of skills and covering customer care in far greater detail than would be possible over three days of Basic Job Training. Day Four of the course is badged as the 'Day of Excellence', where the trainee officer is seconded to site and trained by experienced staff.