A ‘First Aid Friday’ is proposed by a UK security industry trainer, ahead of the October deadline for contract security officer and door supervisor licence holders needing to complete top-up training before they will be able to renew their licence, a new departure for the 15-year-old Security Industry Authority (SIA) badging regime.
One of the requirements is the Emergency First Aid at Work qualification, says Bob Betts of Elite Group. It’s typically a one-day course, for life saving first aid skills for adult workplaces (see the Red Cross, St John Ambulance website for examples).
Bob says: “With the past 18 months being immensely difficult for our industry both personally and financially I’m proposing that we come together for one day as an industry to support each other and offer this qualification at £30 (plus vat for those registered) for all those who are in possession of a current SIA licence. I’m sure with a minimum class of eight all expenses should be covered.
He adds that in case of any accusations of lowering costs and standards, this would be for one day only and for a good reason, and besides, he suggests the price would be not far off current group rates for some providers.
As such training would require covid risk assessments too, bringing implications for training combined with the Government guidelines, Bob thinks a good time for this Friday would be late June.
He adds: “I think the people in the security industry with boots on the ground could do with some assistance and thanks at present. I also have a bet with a prominent security industry figure that I cannot get 50 companies to agree to this proposal so I want to see him add to the charity.”
For an interview with Steve McCormick of the SIA on the regulator’s new training requirements, see the March 2021 print edition of Professional Security magazine, that you can also freely view online.
Background
From April 1, the SIA will introduce updated qualifications for all licensable sectors (doors, guarding, CCTV operators) except close protection. Also from April 1, you must have a first aid qualification before you can take the training required for a door supervisor or security guard licence. On October 1, the SIA plans to introduce updated close protection qualifications. Also from October 1, you will have to have one of the new qualifications or take top-up training before you can apply for a door supervisor and security guard licence – and that includes renewals. Between April and October when renewing you can choose to take the new training.
The Emergency First Aid at Work qualification can be an equivalent, the SIA adds; namely, other qualifications that comply with guidance from the Health and Safety Executive, such as First Aid at Work (FAW), First Person on Scene (FPOS) and First Response Emergency Care (FREC). Visit the SIA website for more details.
