The award-winning distance learning programme for security professionals developed by The Security Institute in conjunction with Perpetuity Training aims to provide an opportunity to learn security management skills and knowledge that’s rooted in academic theory, flexible learning, academic certification and membership of a professional security body (ie The Security Institute).
The two security management courses currently on offer are a BTEC Level 3 Advanced Certificate and a BTEC Level 5 Professional Diploma. These specialist courses not only allow security professionals the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills but also provide routes to Institute membership.
Course materials are written and maintained by highly qualified and well respected security professionals, in turn allowing students to draw from a wealth of expertise in their learning. Tutors are on hand throughout to support students as they work towards gaining their qualifications.
All coursework is marked by assessors holding Masters degree level qualifications in order to ensure high standards and accuracy are maintained at all times.
Historically, the courses have been delivered via CD-Rom supported by hard copy text books, allowing security professionals from around the world to join the courses.
Access to course materials is now even easier with the launch of what’s described as a “stimulating new online learning platform” (www.syilearning.com).
The learning experience is further enhanced by social networking media (ie Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn).
The popularity of the courses continues to grow, particularly the Diploma which has enjoyed an average of over 30 learners joining each intake in the last 12 months (three intakes per year).
61 students have successfully completed the Diploma, with a further 103 currently studying.
Since 2008, 66 students have successfully completed the Certificate with a further 27 working towards their qualification.
Growing recognition for the courses
The high standards of the courses are ensuring that they gain widespread recognition. The distance learning programme won the 2010 Security Excellence Award for Security Training Initiative of the Year, and has again been shortlisted in 2011.
The University of Portsmouth Institute of Criminal Justice Studies has formally accepted successful completion of the Diploma course as being worth a minimum of 80 credits towards its BSc (Honours) degree in Security and Risk Management.
At least three successful Diploma students have already taken advantage of this exciting opportunity.
The good news doesn’t end there, either. Blackburn College and The Security Institute have agreed a unique initiative to embed the Institute’s Diploma into Blackburn’s new foundation degree (FdA) in Security Management which launches this year.
This is the first time an academic body and a professional body have worked together to offer a specialist security course which leads to an academic qualification and a professional body award at a single stroke.
Students will be eligible for student membership of the Institute while they study and, when graduating from the foundation degree, will gain both their degree and The Security Institute Diploma (as well as automatic eligibility to apply for full membership of the Institute).
Level 5 foundation degree validated by Lancaster University
Roshani Swift, the associate dean of the University Centre at Blackburn College, commented: “Over the last year, University Centre at Blackburn College has been working closely with The Security Institute to develop a Level 5 foundation degree validated by Lancaster University. This initiative has been made possible by Perpetuity Training, who have championed the requirement for an academic qualification that also embeds the professional qualification of The Security Institute’s Diploma.”
Swift continued: “We share the view that embedding professional qualifications into academic programmes enhances employability. The course offers potential students working in the industry access to an academic qualification. The Foundation Degree will enable students to progress to a top up year BA (Honours) Degree.”
In conclusion, the dean enthused: “We are very excited about this new and innovative qualification which will see recruitment start later this year.”
Blackburn College is one of the largest Further Education Colleges in the North West. Established in 1888, it has a long history of providing education and training to the communities of Pennine Lancashire.
The establishment offers a wide range of courses, from A Levels and vocational courses through to Foundation Degrees, HNCs/Ds, Honours degrees and various professional qualifications.
Blackburn College currently plays host to over 14,000 students, of which 9,929 are adult learners (aged 19+). Over 4,000 young people aged 16-19 are studying Further Education courses.
69% of the students study part-time.
The next intake for The Security Institute’s Certificate and Diploma courses is September 2011.
The deadline for registration and payment is 16 September 2011. Submissions will also be accepted for places on the January 2012 intake of the courses.
For more information about the courses and to download registration forms access the web links provided at the foot of this page)