What should SIA qualifications and accreditations mean?
Victoria Reece-Heal • January 20, 2020
We all want to know that we are dealing with a quality service and skilled, trained security operatives when we are in a work, project or external environment. The SIA is raising the standard in the security industry to provide that reassurance and accountability of private security and contractors.
The Security Industry Authority (SIA) was formed in 2001 and exists to provide a check and peace of mind to those both within the private security industry and those who will come into contact with private security in their daily lives.
According to their website, the SIA has ‘two main duties. One is the compulsory licensing of individuals undertaking designated activities within the private security industry; the other is to manage the voluntary Approved Contractor Scheme, which measures private security suppliers against independently assessed criteria.’
‘SIA licensing covers manned guarding (including security guarding, door supervision, close protection, cash and valuables in transit, and public space surveillance using CCTV), key holding and vehicle immobilising. Licensing ensures that private security operatives are ‘fit and proper’ persons who are properly trained and qualified to do their job.
Our Approved Contractor Scheme introduced a set of operational and performance standards for suppliers of private security services. Those organisations that meet these standards are awarded Approved Contractor status. This accreditation provides purchasers of private security services with independent proof of a contractor's commitment to quality.’
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“The SIA accreditation and qualification should mean that the person holding the qualification/accreditation has been trained to the exacting standards demanded by the Security Industries Authority and passed the various tests to qualify for the licence and shown to the instructor and adjudicator that they are competent and able to deal with appropriate security matters.”
Bryan Wood, Electi Physical Security Assessor: https://www.electi.co.uk/security-assessments
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“For companies, SIA Qualifications and accreditations should be the process that allows them to easily prove the quality and competency of its staff and systems when bidding for contracts.
For the individual, it means that they should be able to easily and quickly provide proof of their qualifications and suitability to work to contractors in order to allow them to be employed at quickly easily.
Delays in managing the processing of qualifications and background checks can mean real hardship for those employed in the industry and the “grey areas” around payments for background checks and up-front payments can in some cases be restrictive for contractors and employers alike.”
Roger Peacock, HR4, specialist project support and training: https://www.hr4.co.uk/
