The future of the industry is now at a significant crossroads: one path will lead to an industry struggling to be taken seriously and operating in a low margin environment that prevents progression towards becoming a sector of which we can be proud.
The other direction is an industry that has taken some bold steps. An industry that has made changes designed to cement the future of a professional sector valued by its security staff and customers. One in which staff members are able to build careers and opportunity is offered.
There is now a ‘perfect storm’ of regulation, training, economic conditions, technical advances and margin erosion combining to change the way in which we have to think and work.
The catalyst is the changing face of regulation, the future of the Security Industry Authority and its new direction, the Approved Contractor Scheme and the potential Hallmark scheme being debated. All are in a state of flux, meaning that the entire structure of the industry’s regulation is being re-shaped across the next two years.
Whatever is agreed upon we will have to live with – good, bad or indifferent.
Is our skills set fit for purpose?
Given this restructure and renewal it’s also time to assess the skills set that our industry demands of its staff. In short, is it fit for purpose?
Do we need to re-focus on this area in order to incorporate, for example, training on modern technology as standard?
I believe our training standards must be raised and modernised so that we move towards a higher-skilled, technology-led future. Our induction courses must also start to reflect this. Companies like mine have invested in key courses as part of a career development initiative, but only standards that are set as a minimum can hope to raise the bar across the sector.
We must also modernise the way in which we market ourselves. The word ‘guard’ is still used and is totally inappropriate for the industry and sectors we work in. We don’t ‘guard’ people, property and assets. Rather, we secure them. Our staff are not ‘guards’ – they are security officers.
Terminology is important, and the whole industry must start to embrace the change in mindset as well as the necessary change in standards.
On that note, did you notice how the staff at the Olympics were called ‘Games Makers’ and not helpers or assistants?!
Focus on quality, standards and opportunity
If we take securing the UK’s Critical National Infrastructure – which is crucial to keeping UK plc operational – as an example, private security companies are vital but often not recognised for the pivotal role they play and for the tremendous commitment of their people. This is where the industry needs to work together to ensure it is seen to add value and is an industry tha’s focused on quality, standards and opportunity.
Over the coming months, I’ll start laying out my vision of the future, and do what I can to lobby my senior colleagues in the sector to work with me in taking the industry from a ‘guarding’-focused, low end purchase to a risk-based, technology-driven industry that’s seen as professional and of which we can all be proud
We don’t have long before the future of the industry is agreed and the next cycle of development is begun.
Bob Forsyth is managing director of MITIE Total Security Management
*This article was first published on www.infologue.com
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