New SIA approved training courses from January 2015

November 13, 2014

From 1 January 2015, new Security Industry Authority courses and qualifications will be introduced for SIA licence applicants.

The new courses will ensure that training content remains relevant, with up to date content, but without over burdening the individual or the industry. The courses will allow greater flexibility and online learning.
The new training courses have been designed in association with the security industry, and were supported by a public consultation held earlier this year.

The sectors to be covered by the new courses are: Door Supervision, Security Guarding, Public Space Surveillance (CCTV), Close Protection, Cash & Valuables in Transit, and Vehicle Immobilisation (in Northern Ireland only).

Door Supervision training will contain more content in managing queues and crowds and dealing with vulnerable people. There will also be an expansion of the physical intervention content, as well as a focus on more practical delivery of searching and conflict management content.

The Security Guarding course will contain more content on patrolling and maintaining contact, and how to deal with commonly encountered incidents. There will also be a requirement for practical delivery of searching and conflict management, and the inclusion of an awareness of initiatives to fight crime.

The qualification awarding bodies have developed new training courses to meet the updated specifications, and they are now working with training providers to ensure standard training packages will be ready for January 2015.

Tony Holyland, SIA Development and Technical Manager, said:

“It is important that the licence-linked qualifications are meaningful to the industry and learners, so we are pleased to have been able to involve the industry in the redevelopment of the qualifications.

“There is a lot of continuity with the previous qualifications, but some significant changes to the content and also the way the qualifications can be delivered.”

The SIA will publish the new training specifications on their website in December, when they replace existing specifications.

The training and qualifications will apply to new SIA licence applicants.