Cardinal Security, the security contractor, is bringing in the Cardinal Training Academy, for attracting new entrants to the industry, the company says. Scheduled to open in August, it’s the idea of the company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Jason Trigg.
The firm says its academy will provide delegates with all they need to know about the latest manned guarding techniques, alongside ways in which technology can assist them in their roles. Trigg said: ‘If a manned guard hasn’t got the skills, talent and basic training needed to use the technology based tools at their disposal, the concept of intelligent guarding will never progress. However, we mustn’t forget that above all else manned guarding is a people orientated service and I believe the key to long-term success involves bringing the two worlds together.’
Based at the Cardinal Security head offices in Essex, the Academy is a Highfield Awarding Body for Compliance (HABC) approved centre and its security qualifications are fully endorsed by the Security Industry Authority (SIA). With a classroom based approach, it introduces what the company calls an intelligent guarding concept that integrates the duties of a security officer with technology, electronic systems and the data produced.
Modules will include loss prevention, report writing, understanding crime partnerships workings, behavioural analysis and profiling, health and safety, investigation skills, data and intelligence gathering, first aid, as well as customer service skills. Training will also focus on the psychology of good guarding and how to work as part of a team with non-security based personnel.
Keith Rogers, Operations Director at Cardinal Security, said: ‘issues such as Brexit are likely to have a serious impact on how we obtain personnel and at the moment security services providers are recruiting from a diminishing pool of talent. For instance in 2014 there were 382,377 active SIA licence holders in the UK. In 2015 this figure had fallen to 376,472 and today the numbers stand at approximately 360,965. The problem is getting worse and the lack of diversity in terms of gender, ethnicity and age in the industry is nothing short of shocking. As an example, in 2015 9% of the SIA’s licence holders were women. We are reacting positively to this challenge and those going through the Cardinal Training Academy will redefine what it means to be a manned guard.’
The company adds that the training and development offered by the academy will encourage new entrants into the sector and create a more diverse workforce. As for pre-selection process, there’s a minimum entry criteria and the aim is to attract people who haven’t worked in manned guarding before.
Jason Trigg added: ‘The security industry has much to do in terms of increasing the professionalism of those working in it and the Cardinal Training Academy will go a long way in helping to achieve this objective. Just as importantly, it will engender a sense of pride, loyalty and commitment to the manned guarding role, while offering a defined career path.’
