Are we training correctly: reply

hippy

This thread just keeps getting better... Been away for a couple of days with the boss for meeting with a new supplier and while there noticed a team operating in the area and indeed staying in the hotel. All Brits and dear oh dear where they bad.... And this brings me to Regals point! Got talking to one in reception, who without having a clue who I was, started yapping away about what he was doing, who he was looking after etc etc... Then when asked where he had got his experience from he proceeded to tell me he was 'BG' trained by the British Army, which was how he got his 'bodyguard' training serving with a certain infantry regt... I wont say who he said, but we all know which UK Mil units are responsibe for CP! This buffoon unfortunately didn't! OK, he picked the wrong person to try and impress, but what worries me is how does someone like this get a job?

The whole team wasn't much better.. In fact I made the boss move hotels as the attention being drawn to the hotel by the actions of this 'team' was causing me concern!

So although I'm a firm believer in training, it doesn't solve the industries problems. When I hire, I look at far more than the ownership of a badge

Regal Security Training Ltd

Hippy Hi,
I agree i would have been concerned too, i actualy seen a debacle in London myself and mentaly started to critique as i do!! at a time i was looking for employment myself, this seems to be more and more prevelent today as i do beleive the "minimum standards required" training wise are just that, Minimum. i have noted your concerns and now addressing this as an issue i will pose to my students and drive it home. As a standards and values period.
Brummie

frankfarmer

JohnP et al,

One of the best threads on the site - thank you for an interesting and thought provoking read. Also John, thank you for taking the time to read my dissertation and you maybe right about the wording of the question. I went through numerous iterations and decided on the final version because the submission date was fast approaching.

I applaud the collective desire to improve the professional standards of the CPO industry and would relish an opportunity to participate in any CP training surveys or research projects.

Frank

RMPUSA

Fascinating reading…
Sounds like there should be a none for profit organization dedicated to training and standards outside of the SIA.
Possibly think-tank of training professionals such as yourselves, who can agree on training standards which exceed those set by the SIA. Published for the benefit of the entire industry, and signed up to by security industry leaders.

I know that such things are discussed here in the US through this organisation: International Peace Operations Association - Home

morrigan

We are of the considered opinion that there is no point waiting for the regulators (whoever they might be) to pick up the baton and run with this.

It is incumbent on those training companies with scruples and a passion for what they do....and there are some out there!! to take it upon themselves to up the ante........

Yes.... there are self serving reasons for doing so, the more reputable the course, the more content etc, it follows that the more popular that provider will be. However..... that cannot be the sole reason for going over and above minimal requirements. It is time for reputable companies to begin combining their training specialties. This is something that we at Morrigans firmly believe in.

Is this a promo for Morrigans?? No......!! It is a call for conscientious training providers to step up and face what everyone knows is not only sound business sense.....but that this approach will very quickly begin to do what it should.....that is to turn out a better trained, competent and well equipped operator. These operators will then be more employable over a wider range of task specific roles which in turn will lead to an improving of the product delivered to clients.

It is the client at the end of the day that will determine the minimum standard and in turn..... the industry and those involved will have no choice but to react accordingly.

Market forces!!!

shakespeare

In progress as I write. I see a maximum of 10 providers by the end of the year, and a return to "Who trained you?" as opposed to "have you got a badge?". Believe me gents, employers have had enough of the dross passing through the mill these days. Some providers are excellent, some are extremely poor. Obviously the poor ones will be the first to whinge and go....I notice that some have already started to offer "CP course at cost" for some reason?....

praetorian550

As a permenant complainer about the poor basic knowledge shown by 'amazing' graduates of the specialist paintball and £800 instant BG courses pertaining to the primary area of (UK) operations- LONDON I would like to say that this year has seen the worst set of individuals applying for work- in numbers that are scary.
operators who look blankly at clients when asked to sort out some minor task/ operators who turn up late because they had to take the kids to school/ operators who dont know where or what the London Eye/Harrods/ Chinas/ Stringys/ Nobu/The Gherkin/Blakes ...................... is/ are / have been for decades let alone where to find Maroush at 2 am. etc etc

As you know I have some what reticently decided to offer a series of weekend 'briefings' for want of a better word at cost- (hope you werent digging me out Shakes !) as a sometime employer and often used 'middleman' it is not my task to give basic skills to entry level ops let alone those who claim 5 years 'circuit' experience. BUT I am do and will until the industry meets the demands placed upon it by my mortgage payers- my/your clients.

shakespeare

No, I wasn't digging you. I'm talking about the "classroom based, not one piece of practical drills, have a shiney cert. and promises of working for Madonna" type of provider. I appauld those who take training above requirements set by the sia and fully agree with your statement bro.

Shakes

K9medic

As many have already said this is a very interesting thread. I would at this point like to ask a question. As a first aid instructor what would you like me to include in, for want of a better name, an entry level first aid course?
The sia requires a FAAW certificate and I know this course gets a lot of stick, but bearing in mind the course was designed for office / factory staff, not Close protection Teams working in high risk areas, I would say the fault lies with me “the provider” and you “the client” for not designing a course that gives the end user “the bod on the ground” what he needs.
As it’s an entry level course rather than an advanced / team medic’s course it would still need to fulfil the HSE’s requirements for FAAW in order for the student to get their sia “badge”. As most stand alone FAAW courses are four days, I think we could add one to two more days to the course without causing the student too many problems with cost and time off work.
Requirements;
Fulfils HSE & sia requirements.
No prior knowledge required to attend.
Time limit of 30 – 35 hours.

What do you need me to do in those extra 10 hours?

James Mc