Training

Refresher training

by Mark Rowe

The private security industry has had no requirements for refresher training since the UK regulator the Security Industry Authority (SIA) first brought in badging for licensable sectors, notably for pub doors and contract guarding, in the mid-2000s. Once you gained your qualification to be able to apply for your badge, that was all the training you ever had to do. From April, that changes; the SIA has added some top-up training to licence-linked qualifications, for whether you are a first-timer to the industry or renewing your badge. From April 1, you must have a first aid qualification before you can take the training to apply for a door supervisor or guard licence.

From October, you must have one of the new qualifications or take top-up training before you can apply for a door supervisor and guard licence – including renewals.

A one-day Emergency First Aid at Work qualification (or equivalent, such as First Aid at Work (FAW), First Person on Scene (FPOS) and First Response Emergency Care (FREC)) must be completed before taking the top-up training. The top-ups for door staff and guards alike covers terror threat awareness; some physical intervention – knowledge for guards and the actual skills for door staff; and knowledge around critical incidents, such as where to access government guidance on pandemic responses.

The SIA says that during engagement and consultation with the private security industry, it was acknowledged that skills can fade over time. It means that the hours to take the courses are increasing; such as, for door staff from the present 32.5 hours over four days (with some ‘self-study’) to 44 hours over six days. The SIA explains that the contract security guard and door supervisor courses will take about a day longer than now because of more practical assessments in the new content, which take longer. Everyone will need to do at least one physical search. There’s more training on personal safety, knowledge of physical intervention for security guards, and knowledge of door supervision equipment (such as body worn cameras) for door supervisors.

There are also changes to requirements for trainers; they need an assessor qualification and yearly counter-terrorism training from the official National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) and the continuing professional development requirement for trainers is increased (now 40 hours). A new trainer will need five years’ experience (not the current two).

For more details visit the SIA website. See also an interview with SIA director Steve McCormick in the March print edition of Professional Security magazine.

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