The Security Industry Authority (SIA) has announced that new licence-linked qualifications are to be introduced next year, bringing training up-to-date and setting in stone a modular structure.
- By Brian Sims
The news follows an industry-led review of the SIA's specifications that drive training content. The new specifications reflect current industry Best Practice so that individuals working in the various segments of the security sector undergo good basic training for their role.
A new structure with core-plus-specialist modules means less overlap and duplication in content across the sectors. This will make it easier for individuals to qualify to obtain more than one licence, as just the relevant and required training needs to be taken for each additional qualification.
The new qualifications are currently being developed by the awarding bodies, and will be offered by training providers across the UK under the following roll-out timetable:
• Door supervisors: June 2010
• Operatives in all other sectors: January 2010 (September 2010 in Scotland).
After these dates, all applicants applying for an SIA licence for the first time must hold either the new qualification or a current qualification that is less than three years old.
Reducing criminality, raising standards
Hazel Russell, the SIA's dynamic and forward-thinking director of strategy and corporate services, has been swift to offer her views on the new structure for qualifications. “Licensing for security operatives has done much to reduce criminality and raise standards in the private security industry," Russell told SMT Online. "As the roles and responsibilities of security staff evolve, it's vitally important that their training reflects these changes and equips them for the challenges they face."
Russell continued: "We now have industry-led content, meaning it is relevant and has been developed in conjunction with those working in the licensable sectors. This will benefit operatives, businesses and the public.”
The content for all of the SIA specifications has changed and been updated. For most sectors there are not major changes to the content areas included. The exception to that rule is door supervision, where significant changes have been made at the request of industry to reflect up-to-date working practices.
There are currently no further training requirements for any existing licence holders who wish to renew their licence. However, because of the changes to the door supervision area, there may - at a future date - be a perceived need for a short ‘top-up’ training session for this sector. This proposal will need to be subject to public consultation, and will not be a requirement - if at all - until after May 2011.
Any requirement will be announced a year before this date to give the industry plenty of time to do the training.
New modular qualification structure
Core units with specialist training in each cover door supervision, security, Public Space Surveillance CCTV, Cash-in-Transit and vehicle immobilisation. Only the Cash-in-Transit and Public Space Surveillance areas do not require a conflict management element. Escorting and disengagement also forms part of the door supervision training, while close protection has its own specialist path.
A full certificate for the relevant sector is still required. The new modular format means those undergoing the training (for most sectors) will take common units – core security and conflict management – followed by a specific unit for each security sector.
A licensed operative who has already passed the two common units will therefore only need to sit the relevant additional specialist unit if they wish to gain a licence for another sector.
The qualifications are taken by applicants for front line licences. Applicants for non-front line licences do not require a qualification because they do not carry out front line activities. Those applying for a key holding licence will not need to take a qualification.
The situation north of the border
As there's a different qualifications system in Scotland, the new regime will be introduced there later. The new door supervision qualification will be introduced from June 2010, and the other unitised qualifications from September 2010.
Several different types of organisation are involved in the creation and delivery of the licence-linked qualifications. The SIA sets competency standards and specifies qualifications for licensing; The Qualification Regulation Authorities accredit qualifications and approve awarding bodies. Awarding Bodies develop qualifications and operate the examination system against the SIA specifications, approve training and assessment centres, award the qualification and input data into the SIA qualifications database.
- By Brian Sims
The news follows an industry-led review of the SIA's specifications that drive training content. The new specifications reflect current industry Best Practice so that individuals working in the various segments of the security sector undergo good basic training for their role.
A new structure with core-plus-specialist modules means less overlap and duplication in content across the sectors. This will make it easier for individuals to qualify to obtain more than one licence, as just the relevant and required training needs to be taken for each additional qualification.
The new qualifications are currently being developed by the awarding bodies, and will be offered by training providers across the UK under the following roll-out timetable:
• Door supervisors: June 2010
• Operatives in all other sectors: January 2010 (September 2010 in Scotland).
After these dates, all applicants applying for an SIA licence for the first time must hold either the new qualification or a current qualification that is less than three years old.
Reducing criminality, raising standards
Hazel Russell, the SIA's dynamic and forward-thinking director of strategy and corporate services, has been swift to offer her views on the new structure for qualifications. “Licensing for security operatives has done much to reduce criminality and raise standards in the private security industry," Russell told SMT Online. "As the roles and responsibilities of security staff evolve, it's vitally important that their training reflects these changes and equips them for the challenges they face."
Russell continued: "We now have industry-led content, meaning it is relevant and has been developed in conjunction with those working in the licensable sectors. This will benefit operatives, businesses and the public.”
The content for all of the SIA specifications has changed and been updated. For most sectors there are not major changes to the content areas included. The exception to that rule is door supervision, where significant changes have been made at the request of industry to reflect up-to-date working practices.
There are currently no further training requirements for any existing licence holders who wish to renew their licence. However, because of the changes to the door supervision area, there may - at a future date - be a perceived need for a short ‘top-up’ training session for this sector. This proposal will need to be subject to public consultation, and will not be a requirement - if at all - until after May 2011.
Any requirement will be announced a year before this date to give the industry plenty of time to do the training.
New modular qualification structure
Core units with specialist training in each cover door supervision, security, Public Space Surveillance CCTV, Cash-in-Transit and vehicle immobilisation. Only the Cash-in-Transit and Public Space Surveillance areas do not require a conflict management element. Escorting and disengagement also forms part of the door supervision training, while close protection has its own specialist path.
A full certificate for the relevant sector is still required. The new modular format means those undergoing the training (for most sectors) will take common units – core security and conflict management – followed by a specific unit for each security sector.
A licensed operative who has already passed the two common units will therefore only need to sit the relevant additional specialist unit if they wish to gain a licence for another sector.
The qualifications are taken by applicants for front line licences. Applicants for non-front line licences do not require a qualification because they do not carry out front line activities. Those applying for a key holding licence will not need to take a qualification.
The situation north of the border
As there's a different qualifications system in Scotland, the new regime will be introduced there later. The new door supervision qualification will be introduced from June 2010, and the other unitised qualifications from September 2010.
Several different types of organisation are involved in the creation and delivery of the licence-linked qualifications. The SIA sets competency standards and specifies qualifications for licensing; The Qualification Regulation Authorities accredit qualifications and approve awarding bodies. Awarding Bodies develop qualifications and operate the examination system against the SIA specifications, approve training and assessment centres, award the qualification and input data into the SIA qualifications database.
