In partnership with another company, we recently produced a national pre-employment engagement package (PEEP) specifically for the security sector.
The way in which this dedicated programme is constructed enabled funds to be drawn down directly from the Skills Funding Authority (SFA). In turn, this meant all the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) had to provide was a batch of unemployed people who met the eligibility criteria.
In the current economic climate this would appear to be a ‘slam dunk’ for that particular Government department. However, despite the opportunity it would have provided for unemployed people to prepare for a return to work, the DWP still said: “No!”
Why was this the response, and could it be construed as justified?
Looking back on past dealings
The reason DWP declined our offer was based on its past experiences of dealing with the security sector and the glut of qualified security operatives currently available in the workforce.
In truth, the DWP has actually funded the training and licenses for unemployed people through a variety of ‘Back to Work’-style initiatives. They’ve also seen how this support has been exploited by many training companies and colleges, not to mention their clients.
This exploitation has resulted in large income streams for colleges and favoured training companies. In some cases, this has resulted in earnings in excess of GB pound 20,000 for ten-day courses taught to a cohort of 20.
Unfortunately, this ‘assembly line’ production of security operatives has failed to deliver on its promise of realistic job outcomes for candidates. Therefore, from a purely fiscal point of view the DWP is entirely justified in taking the view it has adopted.
Sad indictment of the current state of human security provision
The stance of the DWP is a truly sad indictment of the security sector as a whole which, by the way, is a fantastic sector.
It’s one in which a place can be found for almost anyone willing to work to earn a living.
It positively encourages people to develop and to be proactive rather than reactive.
It provides the opportunity for new businesses to flourish and protects those living and working in our communities from others (and, sometimes, themselves).
More than this, it’s an industry with real potential for growth – for a future. So how can it be that the security sector is viewed so negatively at a time when it should be actively preparing for a glowing roadmap?
Tail wagging the dog
Quite simply, the security sector has sold its soul to the ‘bean counters’ who purchase ‘human security’ in the same way they would bricks or beans.
It’s the clients who carry out the risk assessments and set the staffing requirements. It’s the clients who determine the level or style of operative they want on their site.
In essence, the security sector has allowed the client to commoditise human beings. Quality and ethics come a distant second to cost and ticking the boxes for their insurance company.
In allowing the client to dictate the agenda in this manner, security companies have lost the argument that the provision of good human security adds value to the clients’ offer.
Bursting the bubble
If the security sector as a profession doesn’t want to control its own destiny it needs to burst the clients’ bubble. It needs to be able to bring all of its experience to bear in ensuring clients fully understand the level of accountability they can personally face in the event of a catastrophic incident.
The security world needs to win this argument at every level from the Government to the Boardroom through to the person on the street.
How do we achieve that? Arguments must be developed that are properly evidenced. The security sector needs to let the public know how important the role of the industry is in their everyday lives. This is particularly vital given the increasing role the provision of human security by the security sector will play in our society’s future.
Essential to achieving all of the above is for the security sector to recognise it stopped being an ugly duckling some time ago. It is, in fact, a swan.
However, unlike the average swan it actually has an extremely powerful voice and would do well to exercise that voice a little more than it does.
Ian Fox is director of Goldmark Training Services
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