Una Riley this month talks to Buckinghamshire New University’s Centre for Crowd Management and Security Studies.
The Centre for Crowd Management and Security Studies initially came about through the determination of Dr Mick Upton, to have professional qualifications available for people working in the events industry.
It was also the vision of Prof Chris Kemp, to establish a centre within the Buckinghamshire New University, to deliver these qualifications. Both Mick and Chris had many years’ experience of working in the events industry and used this experience and the contacts they had made, to develop the UK’s first foundation degree in crowd management.
They are also joined by Alan Martin ASyI who began his working life in telecommunications and electronic engineering. This led to a career in vocational education and training in the UK, South Arica and Zimbabwe. Since the early 1990s, he has been responsible for the development of national occupational standards and vocational qualifications in telecoms, passenger transport, transport and distribution logistics, and security. These qualifications have ranged from NVQ level two to masters degree level. Alan has also worked with the skills body for the security industry, as well as with the SIA to establish the core competency requirements for licensing in most areas for which licensing is now mandatory. Alan is passionate about working with the security profession to deliver recognition through professional qualifications to individuals who have demonstrated their commitment to competence in their job role.
The University Centre for Crowd Management and Security Studies provides a range of work-based opportunities for individual development and academic recognition. Where does the centre go from here? I asked.
"Well it’s expanding, certainly in terms of provision – the short courses and/or the degrees. Obviously we need to grow to meet the needs of the security and the events industry. We are also looking to expand our activities in Europe and internationally as well. In fact almost by accident we are attaining an international reputation … we didn’t actually set out to do that … but that is what is happening. We are getting a lot of international interest in what both the University and indeed the centre is doing."
We discussed ‘academic’ establishments who communicate with ‘industry’ via philanthropic business members, trade associations and individuals. The original purpose is to create stronger educational ‘fit for purpose’ training and courses and degrees. However, the universities often open a department and ‘sell’ back to the industry a ‘service’ (thus competing unfairly with established ‘commercial providers’) or worse still – the very academics that have had the benefit of gleaning information and learning from the profession … leave their academic surroundings and set up as a limited company! There is something not quite right in that situation.
Alan agreed and went on: "The centre has always been sponsored by our contributors – such as Rock Steady and others, so they have always financially supported the centre. We don’t use any ‘public’ money actually to support the centre; it has to be self-financing. We are totally committed to offering and making available professional qualifications for people in an industry that traditionally did not have any qualifications." Prof Chris Kemp the Executive Dean of Faculty of Enterprise and Innovation said: "Thanks to the commitment of industry leaders such as Mick Upton, Mark Hamilton (Rock Steady) Mark Harding (Showsec) Ben Challis (Glastonbury Festival legal adviser) and Patrick Jordon (Mojo Barriers) the centre has grown from an idea to a reality and goes from strength to strength. We are offering quality education and resources that are both relevant and accessible to the international crowd safety and management industry."
I asked Alan how he was making the qualifications available – NVQ type delivery, or what? Alan replied: "No we won’t do NVQs because as a higher education institute the university does not get directly involved with NVQs. However, we are working with other vocational awarding type bodies to make certain there are career paths and qualification pathways from level two (NVQ) right the way up to masters. We are also working with other awarding bodies to make certain that we can join-up their career prospects." I asked if the university worked with Skills for Security. Alan replied: "Yes we do; we are on Skills for Security’s awarding body forum." I remarked, Prof Chris Kemp mentioned your industry contributors but just how do they actually contribute? Alan replied: "The centre’s main contributors as mentioned are Rock Steady, which was recently acquired by G4S; as a consequence I am sure that this will expand our contacts with the industry even further. We have very sound arrangements and collaborative relations with all of our supporters such as Eventsec and Showsec which means that all our champions are as important as each other. Recently, Mojo Barriers has been very supportive by donating equipment to establish the Mojo Barriers Education and Training Centre within the centre. With support from these and other key players it confirms the role that the centre is playing in the events and security industries." I remarked that it sounded very successful. Alan went on: "The university has built on the success of its first foundation degree to develop and offer two more work-based FDs (foundation degrees). These are the FDs in protective security management (for those working in the area of close protection) and in Security systems management. These were both developed in association with a range of industry partners. In the area of protective security, the centre also provides examinations for the SIA licence qualifications, which are delivered by our external accredited training providers. Buckinghamshire New University is one of only three awarding bodies approved by the SIA to award this licence qualification, and is the only university. We now offer MSc, MA, FD degrees and short courses to support the events and security industries. One of the key aspects of the centre’s work with industrial partners is the ability to be flexible, in pursuit of the quest to make events and people safer; as well as to provide a secure environment in which people can live and work. All partners and associated companies support this ethos; consequently, solutions can be found to any issue relating to the programmes, training, education or new course development"
What about your international connections, I asked. "As a result of the good reputation and high quality of degree programmes that we offer, a great deal of the centre’s work takes place overseas, and many of the students on its programmes come from abroad. Currently, in addition to UK-based students, there are students from Australia, Africa, Holland and Dubai, and others who work for long periods in Afghanistan and Iraq. As well as the developing international profile of the students, participants in the centre’s programmes range from stewards and supervisors, close protection operatives, to managing directors of companies." So what about the locals, I asked. "Our UK participants come from a range of organisations, including local government, private security companies, the music and sports industries, the military and the police. A significant factor in all current provision is the work-based nature of the programmes. This means that students do not have to be away from their workplace, or even unemployed, for long periods of time. Distance learning is supported through the use of the internet, over which students download the learning materials, and upload their assignments. All programmes also have a series of workshops held on campus, during which learning is through more traditional means. Another factor that contributes to the success of the degree programmes is the use of industry experts to deliver the vocational modules. This ensures that all content is current and relevant to the demands of industry today. The more academic modules are delivered by the university’s own staff, to provide the academic rigour needed for the awards." In addition to developing and providing higher educational programmes, the centre is also involved in research and consultancy. These are on behalf of and with UK, European and international partners. The personnel involved in these projects are drawn from the students, university staff, external training providers and other experts as required. Many of the centre’s reports and research projects have been published as books, which are used throughout the world as reference materials for crowd management and security courses. They are also used by companies to support their in-house training programmes. The programme aims to develop the leadership and management capabilities of professionals from a range of backgrounds who have an interest in education and professional development. All the assessments for the programme are negotiated between the individual participant and the programme tutors. The programme aims to develop the leadership and management capabilities of professionals from a range of backgrounds who have an interest in education and professional development. The programme is part-time, comprising two distinct, but related elements. The first being the diploma stage which is delivered via six two-day residential sessions. Assessment for this stage is by means of a ‘reflective portfolio’ based on the six residential workshops and a learning contract – comprising a project or series of minor projects which are work-related. The second part is the masters stage during which participants work towards completion of a dissertation along with support from programme tutors. Whilst the programme does not claim to be unique, the particular blend of methodology makes it ideal for individuals who are committed to their own personal and professional development. This ‘delivery’ is for people who are eager to focus on practical and professionally related challenges. I asked Alan if it was easy for someone who did not have an academic approach to get started on the path towards a degree. Alan replied: "We have an open door policy at the centre and welcome anybody who wishes to be a student." With the opportunities for people coming into the private security industry – it is rapidly moving towards being recognised as the private security profession’. With the many academic solutions being provided such as Buckinghamshire’s and organisations such as The Security Institute and the Worshipful Company of Security Professionals contributing to the industry profile; it makes you feel good to be part of the profession!
