Page 59 - SyI Quarterly - Q3 and Q4 Edition 2023

Why should we be any different?

When I reflect upon my data findings, I would suggest that respondents who had membership of a
professional body demonstrated currency of knowledge, and this appears to reflect in their higher
levels of understanding.

As an educator within the private security industry, I am deeply concerned by the lack of mandatory
training provided and I believe that this underpins all aspects of professionalism, and service delivery
effectively leaving the sector exposed to risk.

If we are to address this risk, then we need to prepare for it today which means developing the
knowledge and professionalism of trainers so that we enhance our learning cultures.

To quote Malcolm X (1964): ‘’Education is the passport to the future for tomorrow belongs to the
people who prepare for it today’’. I would suggest that this quote is still as relevant today perhaps more
so given the risks and challenges faced in the twenty-first century.

The tragic events that unfolded at the Manchester Arena atrocity should serve as a reminder to all
professionals within the sector that we must learn lessons. In my view, I believe that we need a radical
overhaul of the training and development functions including a mandatory career development
pathway for operatives and trainers.

To drive this forward the role of the security operative needs to be recognised as a profession with a
structured career development pathway, one which rewards and incentivises commitment to
professional standards. “Security operatives thrive on a rich training culture.”

In my view, this requires adherence to professional standards both within the security sector and the
wider remit of post-compulsory education. I would suggest that the cooperability between professions
is a factor to be considered.

If you look at other sectors providing vocational training in local colleges, they all aspire to work towards
a Level 5 Certificate in Education or diploma. So why are we different?

How would this look?

In my view there should be a mandatory timeframe for trainers to progress from the level 3 Award in
Education and Training, and then work towards a L5 Certificate in Education and Training or diploma
with the option to work towards Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS), providing parity with
further education providers. In addition, trainers should hold a minimum recognised industry
qualification (Certificate/Diploma) at level 3 or above and hold a subject matter qualification higher than
the level they wish to teach. Finally, they should evidence compliance with a set of professional stan-
dards with the submission of the annual CPD.

This way, ‘’Security trainers would benefit from being a qualified educator’’. In my view, this would help
to instil a learning culture across the sector and help to professionalise our workforce.

Remember: Lifelong learning is no longer a luxury but a necessity for employment (Jay Samit, 2015)
I would be interested to know your views and perhaps arrange a formal discussion through our
Security, Education, Accreditation, and Training Standards (SEATS) Special Interest Group (SIG).

59