On March 12, the Security Industry Authority (SIA) is hosting a Skills Summit. The summit will cover how the future skills needs of the industry can be met. This one-day event is aimed at security professionals, learning and development specialists, and experts in education and training. Key SIA staff will be joining the discussion.
The purpose, says the UK’s private security regulator, is to outline a vision of how the industry could address the skills agenda in the private security industry. The format will be a mix of workshops, discussions and presentations which will focus on getting solutions to defined problems. Among the presenters and members of panel discussions will be Prof Martin Gill, Director of Perpetuity Research; and Rick Mounfield, Chief Executive of the Security Institute.
The day will seek to address:
– How the SIA, partners, and the industry are taking a strategic approach to skills.
– How the SIA and industry can work with expert partners to deliver sustainable qualification pathways that are recognised industry-wide.
– How to develop commonly-recognised learning and development structures including continuous professional development (CPD), apprenticeships, and other learning frameworks.
– How defined career pathways for security professionals can help make the private security industry a career of choice.
Steve McCormick, the SIA’s Director of Operations and Standards, is hosting the event. He said: “We want the whole sector to come together and address the future skills requirements for the private security industry so that we can identify sustainable solutions together. We are delighted to have speakers of the calibre of Professor Martin Gill and Rick Mounfield. We will release the names of other presenters over the next month.
“I believe this to be a significant opportunity for the industry, the SIA, education and training professionals, to work together to establish the foundations for higher standards and increased professionalism in the industry for the future.”
One particular outcome sought is to identify people who are able to represent and/or engage more closely in driving skills industry-wide. As part of its strategy to address skills needs in the industry the SIA says that it will work with the industry to establish a Strategic Standards Group and a Skills Board.
Such a board was mooted by Steve McCormick in a talk at the SIA’s annual conference in London in November, pictured.
The Summit will run at Friends House, 173 Euston Road, London NW1 2BJ. Places are limited, and organisers say booking a ticket is essential and there is a limit of two people per organisation. Register for a place here.
