New initiatives have been launched in the industry to help tackle the installation engineer shortage and encourage more interest in both the electronic and manned services sectors.
The British Security Industry Association (BSIA), Security Industry Training Organisation (SITO), Jobcentre Plus and the Security Industry Authority (SIA) are working together to produce a careers booklet to promote employment in the security industry.

The booklet, which is due to be launched in May, will feature a number of case studies illustrating the many and varied career paths available within the industry.

As well as careers in installation, it will feature opportunities for security officers, cash-in-transit couriers, CCTV control room operators, community wardens and door supervisors.

Commenting on the booklet, BSIA and SITO Chief Executive David Dickinson said:
"The industry is at an historic crossroads, with regulation of the manned security sector just around the corner and new opportunities emerging for the physical and electronic sectors. To meet these challenges we need to attract high calibre recruits, reduce staff turnover and improve the skills base. Ultimately we should be aiming to transform security from a job into a profession of choice."

Mark Grimshaw, Employer Services Director for Jobcentre Plus, said: "The careers booklet is the first step in turning jobs in the security industry into careers ... The booklet ensures that Jobcentre Plus is better equipped to respond to new legislation by educating staff and jobseekers about changes in the security industry, while promoting the career opportunities available within the sector."

The booklet will be produced for distribution to all Jobcentres in England and Wales (bilingual version). It will also be distributed at jobs fairs and industry events.

In another initiative, The Security Institute has published the 2004 edition of its Yearbook and Directory of Qualifications.

The publication aims to raise awareness of the training courses and qualifications available within the sector, and to encourage individuals to undertake professional enhancement. It contains details of a wide range of both academic qualifications and vocational training courses for security practitioners that are recognised by the Security Institute. The listings summarise the scope and level of these courses, and also the number of points for which they qualify within the Institute's membership validation process.

  Institute Registrar Stewart Kidd said: "With the growing focus on regulation and relevant training within the sector, we have deliberately concentrated on the compiling of data on commercially run courses within the industry as well as updating and adding to the list of academic courses. It has been encouraging to see that a number of new courses are emerging at all levels and disciplines within the profession."

The publication also contains articles and reference material for security practitioners.

The Yearbook and Directory of Qualifications 2004 is available free of charge from the Security Institute by e-mailing: info@security-institute.org An 'on-line' version which is updated every three months can also be viewed and downloaded from the 'Publications' section of www.security-institute.org

The Security Institute was established in 1999 to promote high standards of professionalism. Its core function is to provide recognised, independent validation of security professionals' qualifications and experience through the award of a particular membership category.

Source

Security Installer