The Security Industry Authority’s Approved Contractor Scheme has now passed its fifth year of operation, the SIA reports.
The scheme continues to grow, and in the past year 137 approval decisions have been made. The SIA is receiving about 15 requests for new applications each month.
Around 125,000 licensed operatives work for approved contractors, with ACS-employed operatives making up an estimated 70 per cent of those working in the industry.
Andrew Shephard, Assistant Director Approved Contractor Scheme said: “During the past five years the scheme has enjoyed a steady rise in applicant numbers. The current figures show that companies continue to see the scheme as a valuable asset both in their operational and marketing activities.
“Looking forward, we anticipate the scheme will continue operating as it does today for around another two years. ACS is then expected to evolve and continue as an approval scheme for the industry, building on the successes of the scheme so far, so that security suppliers can continue to show that they meet these quality standards.”
As of February 2011, more than 700 suppliers held ACS status.
The ACS membership by organisation size is: micro 185, small 209, medium 253, large 60. Approvals by sector are: security guarding 642, key holding 279, door supervision 185, public space surveillance CCTV 113, close protection 27, cash and valuables in transit 14, vehicle immobilisation 10. (The figures will equal more than 700 because a company can operate and become approved in more than one sector.)
Part of the Approved Contractor Scheme is regular regional events where approved contractors can exchange ideas and good practice, receive technical and quality assurance updates and hear speakers. Approved contractors should check their inboxes for the invitation to the April events at: Stoke – 1 April, Doncaster – 6 April Belfast – 8 April, Edinburgh – 12 April, Swindon – 14 April, and London – 20 April.
