Despatches May 08 - News, Views and Case studies

New close protection standards on the way

The Security Industry Authority training and qualification specifications lay down the minimum mandatory knowledge and practical skills that a CP operative must possess to be licensed to operate in the UK. This has done much to raise standards within the profession. However, there are currently no nationally recognised codes of practice for the delivery of CP services. But this is about to change. The British Standards Institute has been working closely with industry stakeholders to produce BS8507, which provides guidance to both client and operative on the management, staffing and operation of CP services.

John Porsch MBE, director of The Nemesis Group Ltd, is a member of the committee drafting the standard, and explains that ‘it will do much to promote best practice. Part 1 deals with the UK and overseas where UK law applies, whilst Part 2 covers international work including hostile regions such as Iraq and Afghanistan. Part 1 is being distributed within the industry and is expected to be ratified towards the end of 2008. Although aimed at companies, it will apply to individual sub-contractors, who constitute the majority of people working on the circuit. In time, compliance may become conditional when securing contracts.’

‘Some training providers focus on the SIA licence, whilst others are geared towards high risk hostile environments overseas, which is perceived by many to be the main CP employment market,’ he adds. ‘However, CP is a growth industry in the UK and all over the world.’

Nemesis hold regular career briefing days. For more information, visit the website at www.nemesisgroup.org or call Freephone 0800 078 9168.

A new career in project management

When Warrant Officer Class 1 Andy Stephenson left the Royal Navy a year ago after 27 years in uniform. He had served in the Former Yugoslavia and was a survivor of the sinking of HMS Sheffield in the Falkland Islands War. He had also held staff appointments, finishing as a Joint Personnel Administration Cell casework officer in Glasgow.

‘Promoted WO1 in 2002 at a reasonably young age,’ the 44-year-old personnel and logistics specialist had ‘achieved everything and more during my service life, and wanted to give Civvy Street a shot whilst still in my prime.’ He particularly values his management and leadership training and the exposure to high pressure operational situations. He also held formal qualifications in project and office management.

A CV sent to the White Ensign Association was passed to an ex-Naval commander who was recruiting for Doosan Babcock; and this led to his current job as a project manager with the company. ‘I am heavily involved with the development of a construction resourcing strategy and its introduction to the company. No two days are ever the same, with a fast pace and the need to meet the business demands.

The biggest problem I have found is my lack of commercial awareness. Financially, I am much better off now I have left the Service.

Using specialist training experience in the security sector

Many Armed Forces people have gained outstanding skills and experience in their Service careers, and are often inspired to pass on their expertise in the commercial sector. A number choose a career in further education as a path to professional satisfaction; and Lynceus has been set up with the aim of helping other Service leavers to hone their training skills for a new and dynamic career.

The mandatory qualifications you will need have been set out by the Security Industry Authority to ensure that all trainers meet the standards set by the new Lifelong Learning initiative. This is a positive move that will protect your professional integrity and the skills you worked hard to gain. A good trainer can also command a higher salary than they may be able to obtain on the circuit.

The two courses they have developed are Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector and the Certificate to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector. They deliver the required 30 hours of contact time during a week-long course, and students complete the 30 hours of self-guided study at their own pace.

Their graduates have gone on to deliver training for the company in the UK and abroad.

For more information, call Lynceus on 01452 856040