National training company Sierra Training is this month flying the flag for security workers, asking Employers “Has your workforce been trained to the required standard for licensing yet?”, in a bid to combat the anticipated training bottleneck, or even worse, bout of prosecutions that may occur, on the back of new government regulations.

After 20 March 2006, it will be a criminal offence for any private sector security officer to operate without a licence. EqualIy, it will be a criminal offence for directors and managers of guarding companies to supply unlicensed operatives.

The SIA does not anticipate any period of discretion, and failure to licence individuals in time doesn’t merely mean that officers will be committing offences, but that the managers who deploy them will be committing a more serious offence, which is arrestable.

With tens of thousands of employees/nearly 80% of the industry to put through a 4 day course, and only a few months to do it a logistical nightmare is looming.

SITO, NOCN and City and Guilds approved, Sierra Training are offering courses across the country from this month, either at recognised locations, or onsite, to try and alleviate the problem of a training bottleneck. Their security training courses for Manned Guarding and Door Supervisors meet all requirements for SIA licensing applications.

First to sign up, was Yorkshire based Amberguard Security Operations. Their M.D, Wayne Radford said: “We were aware that these regulations were to come into force, but had not really thought any more on it. What did scare me though, was to hear the numbers that need to go through this system, which made me worry that we would hit a severe bottleneck pretty soon. I am actually much happier now I know that we’ve got it all taken care of, as we are keen to ensure we protect and support our employees at all times”.

Sierra Training M.D, Roger Langley said: “We believe everyone has a right to personal safety and security and to be free from fear of any threats from such and will assist with the development and design of policy and provision of appropriate training solutions to counter all likely and perceived risks to the individual, the company and their property.”

He added: “As of August 2005, only 37,650 security officers (i.e. less than 20% of the guarding workforce) have been listed on the qualifications database. This is not only worrying for the guards themselves, but also for the public relying on their services, to protect them on a daily basis from security threats in their communities.

”There may be funding available to companies who take up this training at this stage and Sierra are offering discounts to those who get in early.

For more information contact Sierra on 01423 523 156.