The Next Generation In Security
A youth engagement programme from the SyI
Our ‘Next Generation in Security’ initiative was launched in late 2018. The initiative, sometimes referred to as #NextGen, was created to inspire and attract young people to consider a career within the security industry, ‘NextGen’ has been designed to change perceptions about the security industry and to showcase the career opportunities that exist to young people aged 13 to 18 years old, who are considering their career options.
Next Gen has already received extensive industry backing with over 50 businesses and organisations stepping up to offer work experience programmes and lend their support to the initiative.
The ambitious 10-year plan to improve perceptions of the industry will seek to address the longer-term issues such as the gender pay gap, improving diversity in the profession and specifically look at promoting lifelong learning, professional development, and security qualifications.
If your organisation is interested in learning more about this initiative, please contact Jade Lapper via email.
Read about our on-going initiatives below:
Secure Futures
The EY Foundation Partnership
As part of their #NextGen initiative, the Security Institute has partnered with the EY Foundation, a social mobility charity which seeks to break down barriers to employment for less advantaged young people. The Security Institute and the EY Foundation are striving to combine their relevant industry experience, for the benefit of both young people and the security industry at large.
Through this new partnership a ‘Secure Futures’ programme was launched in 2021 and will be back again for 2022!
‘Secure Futures’ is a 9-month employability programme, which will be completed by thirty 16-18-year-olds from low-income backgrounds that are considering a career within the security industry. The programme is specifically designed for the sector and will include relevant skills training, professional mentoring and paid work experience. Experienced security professionals will help co-develop and co-deliver each stage of the programme, ensuring that participants gain the most out of the opportunity.
Speaking on her experience on the 2021 programme, one Secure Futures graduate said:
“I loved the sessions where different professionals from all backgrounds spoke about their experience, their success, the challenges they faced and the lessons they learned from it. Their wisdom greatly inspired me and I learnt a lot from it.”
Admiral Lord West of Spithead, the former UK Security Minister, has endorsed these programmes:
“The Secure Futures programme engages with disadvantaged young people, to provide employability skills, structured insights into the variety of careers across the security sector and nine months of mentoring. The partnership has also developed a ‘National Security Challenge’, to set 300 young people a security dilemma. In teams they pitch their solution, to a panel of security experts, who elect a winner. I am proud to endorse these exciting and innovative programmes, which I believe will benefit the UK security sector”.
To support and get involved in the 2023 programme please email Jade Lapper
Find more info HERE
Visiting Exhibitions and Sector Events
Volunteer Police Cadets (VPC) Partnership
The first roll-out of the #NextGen initiative took place at the International Security Expo in November 2018, where a host group of 30 Volunteer Police Cadets received a guided tour of the show with the aim of demonstrating all the disciplines and diversity that the security sector can offer.
Since then over 300 Volunteer Police Cadets have attended some of the industry’s leading events such as IFSEC and CTX. Groups of volunteer Police Cadets have also been given the opportunity to attend the various events ran by the Security Institute, including the Annual Conference and Gala Awards Dinner.
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