A survey of the attitudes of security people towards training found a clear commitment to professional and personal development, the desire to raise industry standards and security becoming a serious long-term career path, according to The Linx International Group, a consultancy providing security, risk management and training services.
During the summer of 2017, 1000 security people working across the private and public sector, took part in the study. Linx did the research on behalf of its group companies – Linx Consultancy, ARC Training, Perpetuity Academy and Tavcom Training. The findings suggest that security people are taking their careers and skills development seriously, with Continuous Professional Development (76pc), certification and training (71pc) and personal development (64pc) cited as the three main drivers for undertaking training. This attention to personal and professional progression is reflected in how training is being paid for, with just over half (51pc) of all respondents paying for training themselves, while 45pc of training is being funded by the organisation; the remainder funded via other means.
The survey also points to a wide acknowledgement of the importance of recognised training qualifications, with 81pc stating its importance to them as an individual, 68pc acknowledged its importance to the organisation and 74pc recognised the positive impact recognised training qualifications have on their respective industries.
Group Training Director of the Linx International Group, Ken Livingstone, pictured, said: “There is a clear trend towards upskilling and individuals taking responsibility for their own career development, as well as demand from industry for better qualified, certified and accredited professionals.
“This is evident through our support of the CTSP – a professional register of Certified Technical Security Professionals – with applications for Registration already in the hundreds within the first month of its launch.”
Classroom-based training remains the most popular teaching method, though e-learning is gaining momentum with 60pc of respondents having already taken part in some form of e-learning and 70pc likely to do so. Respondents also expect their participation in distance learning, blended learning and training led by a virtual instructor, to increase.
The focus areas security people are looking to gain more expertise in include: security management (63pc), security consultancy (61pc), counter-terrorism (55pc) and crisis management (47pc).
About the survey
The 1000 participants of the survey came from UK and Ireland (49.46pc), Africa (19pc), mainland Europe (13pc), Middle East (8pc), Asia (5pc), US and Central America (4pc) and Australasia (1pc).
