Security Management Qualifications?

[Hoveton]

Originally Posted by Ben10

Now in the twilight of service with RMP and a qualified CPO, I am looking to the future and in particular the security industry. Whilst my intention is to join the circuit after converting my qualification, I am looking to the future as well. With the wealth of experience in the forum can anyone suggest a formal management course, either general or security specific that I should consider?

Ben can you please contact me off line. Hoveton@Yahoo.com Thanks mate.

[turanian]

Hi Ben,

before I left the army i enrolled into the Loughborough Uni Security Management Masters Degree programme. 3 years distant learning with interesting modules and sound advice and guidance from a tutor all the way through. Cost is roughly £5k for the 3 years but you can elect to stop at 2 and just have a diploma. You can claim most of this incrementally via the enhanced learning credits that the army offers. just make sure you get the application form in early if applying for funding. I passed last year and I know that some companies look favourably on those with it. I'm not saying its a must have but it is another club in your bag in what may one day be a shrinking security pool.

[mcgeever71]

Gents,

Thankyou very much for all this good solid advice. I am Certainly considering taking a managment qualification of some sort. It is definately noted that, if you/we are seeking to push alittle further up the chain, then we have to swallow some of our hard earned cash, go on some courses and invest in ourselves. I see some of you have even started doing it, whilst ur still serving, or just about to leave; all i can say is that is good drills on your behalf, good ole prior, planning and prep - certainly works before entering the "security circuit". I only wish i'd done that!

So....we have master's, foundation, diploma's......whats the most recognised? universally?
"If" i'm about to spend £5K on a course, then i'm hoping its fully recognised? Then I guess, maybe its a question of what area to i want to continue in, and where??? Answers on a postcard please....

to all.......Keep safe, Keep Smiling...Be Lucky!

McGeever.

[Hoveton]

Hi McGeever.

The first decision you have to make is what part of the security Circuit you want to want to move in. This will then provide you with a direction on what type of course (subjects) to take. The level of education is , well up to the depth of your pocket and your ability to learn and pass exams.

For me as an former Rmp leaving the service after 25 years I decided to go down the HSE Cert resettlement route initially as I had a lot of security bits and pieces. However once outside I very quickly discovered that a "Certificate" in a particular subject was no use to man nor beast. I therefore embarked upon initially the Post Grad Dip in Security management as I was main stream corporate security. Once I got past that hurdle I progressed onto the MSc which I now have. I have been on the general Corporate circuit for 10 or more years and as you said "if you want to push up the chain" then the ultimate has to be the MSc. But get the Post Grad Dip in what ever subject you chose first.

A final note on the subject of direction. Become double hatted! General Security plus IT (Info) Security, is perhaps the best was if you can hack it!, or General Security & HSE, or Even better Quality,HSE & Security, as I have done.

Its all about horses for courses. If anyone wants more info on training establishments etc., then get in touch, as I, as they say, have been there, done it, got the Tee Shirt!

Hoveton...

[mickworldwide]

Have a look at the ASIS qualifications , if you need any further info contact us at morrigan solutions international , our lead consultant partner Dale Kneeland is rather well to do in ASIS having been the european Chairman of the Germany/ Austria region and VP of the another region in the past.
I am sure Dale would be happy to talk you through the process and any other queries you might have.
Asis have worldwide chapters and their qualification CPP is held in high regard pretty much worldwide.

[turanian]

Hoverton is spot on with his comments.

If you are looking a career in the security industry a security management qualification (I would say a minimum of a diploma - 2 years) and a HSE qualification (NEBOSH) makes you more attractive to a potential employer. Two for the price of one always makes employers sit up and take notice.

Turanian

[turanian]

Sorry Hoveton,

apologies for getting your name wrong in the previous reply.

Turanian

[Hoveton]

Don't worry turanian I have finger problems as well and thanks for the word of support.

It is best not become publicly involved with a discussion on which training establishments are best. However, what I will advise is to research, research, research! Look at the job boards - as many as you can find and read what the employers are asking for in terms of qualifications. Then make you mind up which qualification you need.

However, a bit of advice for any service leaver or someone who is thinking about leaving the service. START NOW! and convert all your certificates, training, bits of paper etc. into meaningful qualifications recognised in Civy Street. Take an NVQ and capitalise on your experience in management or Spec Qual. If you are a CPL/SNCO/WO or Officer then take a look at the City & Guilds web site for a starters for 10.
City & Guilds | Senior Awards Here you will find ways of converting what you have into a recognised degree. (Depending upon what you have naturally).

Then start working on that resettlement even if it is before you enter into the last two years. You wont regret it one bit. If anyone wants to contact me off line my email is:- Hoveton@Yahoo.com. I will talk to any one who doesn't send me SPAM. Take care.....

[mcgeever71]

Hoveton, Turanian & Others,

Many thanks for your swift replies. I'm thinking along the corporate side of things, and what what i can gather doing a "post grad dip" or an MSC, makes you more a jack of 3/4 specialities, than being a master of one? Which i would rather be! please correct me if i'm wrong on that one. i'm also verging on nearly 9 yrs out on the circuit, mixture of contracts..i like to keep my hand in wether it be, training, surveillance, advisory roles, CP, etc. I'm definately in total agreement with what you say about being "doublehatted". But blimey...i dont half hate HSE!!!! But.....as you said, its another adqual that will, and can put you in a much better posn after starters orders!

So in conclusion...

MSC - Loughborough Uni - £5k spread over 2/3 years
CPP - ASIS. Length/term? cost?
Sec & Risk Foundation Degree - Leicester Uni

i'm sure there's many more - obviously the universal ones most recognised i will ultimately pursue.

Gents, as always many thanks for ur help. I will do some "googling" IDC.

Regards,

McGeever.

[Hoveton]

Hi Mcgeever

I thought exactly as you did about HSE as it always seamed to get in the way of having fun. But the reality is simply that being double hatted gives you a good back hand. You don't have to look at HSE. If you really want to be at the top with big money then try Info Sec.

Do a simple exercise. Goggle security jobs and count how many and what quality there are, lets say all jobs over 45-50k, then do the same for HSE especially in construction or on international projects and or Info Sec. You will be surprised at the amount of HSE or Info Sec jobs there are available compared with General Corporate Security jobs. The numbers speak for themselves.

what ever you do you need to aim to be sitting at senior/middle or senior management within 4-8 years. Faster if possible.

Have a good weekend ..... Hoveton