Wilson James is committed to staff welfare and safety. The company is a firm believer that basic Health and Safety (HSE) instruction offered in general staff induction booklets or as part of an awareness course is too focused on traditional HSE. Last year, the security solutions provider entered into a contract with provider JOMC to deliver company-wide training – representing an GB pound 82,000 investment in employees.
Results have been “spectacular”, with accidents reduced by more than 25% and standing at less than a quarter of the national average. Training is based on the ‘cascading of knowledge’. Supervisors, team leaders and managers receive detailed training and then pass it on to their teams. More than 100 staff have attended, and are now delivering training on site. Over 500 officers have taken part in the programme.
Runners-Up:
Advance Security
To meet the specialist requirements of its defence industry clients, Advance Security – in conjunction with Senate Training – has developed a qualification for security officers. The three-day BTEC Defence Industry Security Officer Qualification enhances the previous NVQ qualification. The course was developed through extensive analysis of the skills gap and includes lectures, discussion groups and role play, with performance evaluation linked to rigorous assessment of theoretical and practical ability (including real life scenarios).
Chris Lewis Security Services
Having taken on 40 additional staff in Southampton, the company was re-assessed for its Investors in People accreditation. As a result, it has been nominated to be an Investors in People Champion. Chris Lewis Security Services has more apprentices than the national average, and senior engineers attend the Apprentice Expert Witness Course. In a 2006-2007 customer audit, engineers scored “excellent” in 84% of cases. An individual training programme is provided for every employee, and managers, administrators and engineers alike each abibe by a Charter to help achieve the highest levels of customer care.
Tavcom Training
Already a provider of 38 BTEC courses, Tavcom Training was asked by students to provide an “even more advanced qualification that would be accepted as the most prestigious from any security systems sector”. As a result, it introduced the BTEC Security Systems Diploma for Continuous Professional Development (CPD). The curriculum can be tailored to suit particular requirements and chosen career paths, enabling students from many different security streams to benefit. According to Tavcom, diplomas are a logical progression from the BTEC Awards. To date, 45 security personnel have acquired the requisite number of units and received diplomas.
University of Portsmouth
The University of Portsmouth has introduced a BSc (Honours) degree in Security Technology, a course of study that specifically concentrates on the technologies underpinning security. The course extends over three years, with the feature of optional pathways for Years 1 and 2 which are Networking/Computing and Electronics/Hardware. These converge in Year 3 such that students then study security sensors, signal processing for security and security systems. Final year students undertake individual projects which may be carried to conclusion in collaboration with industry.
Vision Security Group (VSG)
Vision Security Group (VSG) has launched a “unique, cutting edge training and development programme” designed to produce the best security service and security personnel. Originally developed for the Bank of America, the concept involves evaluating all security aspects relating to the needs of the client, VSG and the employee. This is then blended with perhaps more traditional learning methods and innovative new approaches such that training meets precise needs. Individuals gain national qualifications as part of the programme. A win-win scenario that sets a genuine trend for others