At the time of writing, around 80%-90% of the BSIA’s member security companies’ employees have obtained their licences from – or at the very least submitted applications to – the Security Industry Authority (SIA). Inevitably, many of those applications have been caught in the backlog that both the BSIA and the SIA warned could occur. However, the SIA has employed additional resources to process applications as fast as they can.
BSIA members are also poised to be among the first companies fast-tracked into the Approved Contractor Scheme. In truth, this means that – in addition to the many other advantages that BSIA membership brings – those member organisations that are Approved Contractors will be able to deploy a small percentage of their workforce post-training, before these operatives have obtained their full licence. With this in mind, BSIA members are in a healthy position for their transition into a fully-regulated industry at the end of March.
Opportunities for the future
Although the industry has faced many challenges in respect of regulation, it is important not to forget the myriad benefits and increased opportunities afforded by licensing. Weeding out the ‘rogue’ operators will, without doubt, improve the image of this vital industry, but there’s a plethora of additional benefits.
BSIA chief executive David Dickinson told SMT: “A trained and professional workforce is a huge selling point for the industry, as is the fact that all employees have undergone a criminal records check. By coupling these benefits with Approved Contractor status and BSIA membership, security guarding companies are now in an excellent position to build long-term relationships with existing and future clients.”
The BSIA is well aware that there is still work to be done in relation to regulation. Security consultancies will be facing this challenge from the end of 2006, while the Association’s members in Scotland are likely to be licensed early on in 2007. The BSIA will continue to do everything it can to assist its members throughout the licensing process. The Association is also fully committed to continue its lobbying of the Government in a bid to ensure that in-house security team members are also covered by Parliamentary regulation.
The industry should be proud of the great strides it has already taken, and look forward to a bright and profitable future. Meanwhile, its client base can now expect to enjoy the benefits of working with a motivated, trained and accountable guarding sector that delivers quality solutions on a consistent basis.