Security personnel and Security Industry Authority licensing … a windfall for the poor relations? Mike Tennent, director of Training at Tavcom Training, writes. From the June 2005 print magazine.
As revolutionary changes take place within the security industry, are private security personnel destined to remain the poor relations of the UK workforce? Since their very first arrival on the scene they have, regrettably, had to endure the unenviable tag of low-profile workers. Unfortunately such a label also brings with it the inevitable consequences of low expectations, low self esteem and, of course, low financial rewards. Even in today’s terror-conscious world the words ‘security officer’ immediately conjure up two other words in the minds of many employers – those words are ‘minimum wage’. Worse still, according to some philosophies, if it is possible to get away with less than the minimum … so much the better !
Salaries and career opportunities for those involved in installation, maintenance and system design still languish well below the typical average for others with similar skill levels in, for example, the worlds of telecommunications and computing. It is little wonder that training in the security and surveillance arena has for too long been at the bottom of the pile when annual budgets are considered, established and spent. Training represents an expense. Why bother to invest in those involved in such a ‘lowly’ occupation? That is the mantra.
Sadly, this lack of status is seen to wash backwards into the world of education and training. Regrettably only around six colleges run the modern apprenticeship scheme (City and Guilds 1851) under the guidance of SITO throughout the UK. This is where the fresh blood and young talent of the industry should be enthusiastically learning about the fundamentals of electronics and the integration of CCTV, intruder alarms and access control. In national terms such opportunities are few and far between.
At least Tavcom Training does teach the tutors of these schemes from time to time and we always direct youngsters towards any openings where they can learn the necessary skills which will lead them into paid occupations. So there are small signs of life in these areas. In other sectors, however, opportunities are extremely thin on the ground or non-existent. I have no knowledge of any academic studies available for budding young security officers or CCTV control room officers. Perhaps this is an area where SITO could establish an avenue for youngsters to progress into the new ‘licensed arena’ of security offices and operators?
NVQs – often labelled by the cynical as ‘Not Very Quick’ – have not really taken off within the industry as quickly as many had anticipated. Much of this reluctance to consider even a minor qualification has resulted from the perception that they are ‘too expensive a luxury’! Why provide something good for the staff if we as company have to pay? That, lamentably, has been the attitude for too many for far too long.
Changing times
Now, at last, there is some light at the end of the tunnel. The advent of the SIA and licensing means this attitude has to stop … and that’s official! This can only be of great benefit to the employee and as a direct result to the employer and the ‘end user’. Much has already been written about the influence and status of the new authority but from my own perspective there is one outstanding advantage that can be gleaned from licencing people who operate in the security and surveillance industry.
Consider this. It is believed that between 15 and 30 per cent of all security officers undergoing training and licencing under the new Private Security Industry Act do not qualify. This inevitable leads me to the conclusion that between 15 and 30pc of all security officers out there looking after our personal safety and belongings are less than fully competent! It also leads me to believe that licencing is proving a qualified success in that there are simple but measurable standards that we can expect from our private security forces. This will ensure that guarding companies only take on those with adequate skill levels whilst those who do not ‘measure up’ will take a job where the licencing criteria are not mandatory. Of course, it may follow that all in house companies can – and will – take less qualified and less competent people. Hopefully they will resist that temptation … but that’s another article! Returning to a positive note, contract personnel will be at a good and recognised level of security sector competence and, as a result, those individuals’ salaries will probably be higher than those of colleagues who have not gained the necessary training and licence. This means that the service provided will necessarily become more expensive and as a result – it is hoped – the public perception of the value of security officers will eventually be raised. Everyone benefits! That said, I do not believe these issues will finally be settled until all operatives who are contracted and in house staff are subject to similar and obligatory rules and regulations.
The way forward
But … back to the future! From June 2005 all contracted employees operating in the Public Space Surveillance (PSS) categories will need to be licensed in CCTV Control Room Operations. Does that mean YOU? To make sure, email [email protected] to find out whether you and your operation need to gain a licence now or later or not at all.
It is also important to recognise that those who possess or intend to apply for a security officer licence will NOT automatically be eligible to do the job of a CCTV operator. We are led to understand that separate licences will be required for the distinct roles of security officer and CCTV PSS operator.
If you do need a licence, make sure you find the right trainer. Remember that your training provider has to have:
1) An approved training centre, recognised by an awarding body
2) The ‘green light’ from the awarding body to run the course
3) Tutors with a minimum of two years experience in control rooms
4) Tutors who are qualified to teach with at least a Level 3 certification
5) Appropriate training facilities to conduct the practical assessment in a measured environment.
6) The in house administrative support to conduct the licensing registration and assessments.
Tavcom Training is an approved centre which satisfies all the listed requirements. We offer two modules for CCTV operators which will allow them to sit the assessment paper for licencing.
Unit 1 (CRO1) is predominately classroom based, teaching operatives the necessary fundamentals of legislative issues, preparation of the correct control room audit trails, report writing and communications procedures as well as vital aspects of Health and Safety, Fire and First Aid.
The training is followed by an assessment paper which poses random questions from a bank of over 300 samples. These will be delivered to the training provider in a sealed envelope. The tutor delivering the course is prohibited from taking part in any of the assessment procedures and is not allowed to know which questions will be asked. This does ensure that the proper syllabus and outcomes are taught. Simply teaching to a known question paper is not an option!
The second unit (CRO2) is a ‘tell me’, ‘show me’, ‘let me do it’ and ‘let me write down what I have learned’ module – a wonderful combination of ‘hands on’ learning. The key elements include providing evidential quality pictures in a regulated audited manner, understanding the functionality of CCTV and communications equipment and getting to grips with body language – in other words, trying to determine which picture from which monitor should be viewed amongst the many deployed in modern control rooms!
Both units, totalling 30 hours, comprise the necessary requirements and the successful student will also gain a TAVCOM certificate endorsed by SITO as well as a level two award from the Edexcel foundation – BTEC certificate- or a certificate from an alternative approved awarding body. Hopefully they will also gain that self esteem, hope for the future and increased financial security that have proved to be so elusive …
