Raising Skills for Safer Communities

“The skills for security conference programme in 2006 offers an excellent opportunity for networking and access to some of the key stakeholders in the security business sector. Both events boast an exciting line-up of informative speakers, aimed at providing the sector with a varied and broad perspective on the various issues that have a direct impact on employers and their employees across the UK.”

These are the words of Linda Sharpe, interim chief executive at Skills for Security – the skills and standards setting body that is leading the way in raising levels of professionalism among the security sector’s large and diverse workforce.

The conferences Linda mentions take place on Thursday 9 November at the International Convention Centre, Birmingham (this being the event for stakeholders in England and Wales) and on Thursday 30 November at The Barony Hall in Glasgow. This conference, of course, is for professionals practising north of the Border.

On 9 November, the Raising Skills for Safer Communities Conference – which is scheduled to attract no fewer than 300 delegates – also plays host to a Gala Luncheon and Exhibition, and will bear witness to the presentation of this year’s Skills for Security National Training Awards. Security Management Today’s Editor Brian Sims is sitting on the Judging Panel.

The programme for the day is hugely impressive, and attendance highly recommended. In terms of the Birmingham Conference, the Welcome and Opening Address by Linda Sharpe is swiftly followed at 10.10 am by the annual progress report on Skills for Security as a business, to be delivered by Stefan Hay, the organisation’s director of strategic development. As was the case in 2005, Lord Stevens of Kirkwhelpington – Skills for Security’s chairman – will be speaking, this time on how the police service and private security industry might work together in harmony post-licensing.

In a similar vein, Andrew Amery – the man tasked with heading up policing and security operations for the 2012 Olympic Games in London – looks at the opportunities for partnership working before, during and after the event, while Skills for Justice chief executive Dick Winterton carries on Lord Stevens’ theme by reviewing the harmonisation of national occupational standards for policing and security.

Steve Collins – the chief executive of PS5 – is set to talk on weapons awareness for safer communities, while the effectiveness of CCTV in helping to realise such enclaves is discussed by Pauline Norstrom, currently chair of the British Security Industry Association’s CCTV Section.

Immediately following the Gala Luncheon, an ACPO Progress Report detailing the roll-out of Community Safety Accreditation Schemes is on the agenda for Peter Davies (assistant chief constable at Lincolnshire Police).

Don Randall – vice-president at JP Morgan Chase Bank – then explains what’s happening with the highly successful Project Griffin.

The Skills for Security National Training Awards Presentation Ceremony and Closing Address from Linda Sharpe then bring the day’s official proceedings to their conclusion.