SIA License – Consultation closes soon
The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is currently running a new, four-week consultation (second of two) on the draft specifications for its licence-linked qualifications. Following an initial consultation last year, we have been working closely with expert working groups to inform the content of these draft specifications. These panels were made up of private security industry representatives and subject matter experts. The new draft specifications include their suggestions, as well as findings from extensive research that we conducted in October 2018 in order to understand the current and future skills needs of the private security industry in the UK. Details of this consultation are available via our website.
Understanding the needs for the SIA License
The purpose of the SIA’s Skills & Qualifications review is to fully understand the current and future skills’ needs of the private security industry. This new consultation will help to determine the content of the next generation of compulsory qualifications for licensed operatives. Therefore this is a key initiative within the SIA’s Skills & Qualifications Review and it started on Monday, 14 January and it will conclude on Monday, 11 February 2019.
This consultation is specifically requesting views on important areas such as:
- Is the proposed content fit-for-purpose?
- Does the new content represent an unreasonable burden on individuals and businesses seeking to enter the industry?
- Should the additional content relating to the door supervisor role be included in the close protection specification to facilitate the current licence integration arrangement? Or should licence integration end, so that close protection licence holders can only work in close protection roles?
- Should there be compulsory physical intervention training for the security guard and close protection roles?
To ensure a meaningful consultation the SIA is carrying out a comprehensive range of communications initiatives to publicise it across the SIA’s communication channels.
Qualifications and the SIA License – ensuring fit-for-purpose
Tony Holyland, our Head of Quality and Standards, says:
“We have gone to great lengths to ensure that the next generation of qualifications are fit-for-purpose. This is the latest stage in a robust development and consultation process. The initial consultation attracted more than 840 responses, and this brand new consultation will be equally meaningful. This is the last chance for the public to have its say and help us to get the specifications right. We all now have an opportunity to shape the future of the licence-linked qualifications and ensure they are relevant for the security industry in the years ahead.”
He added:
“As always it is essential that as many people as possible give their views on this new consultation. Employers and prospective operatives spend a considerable sum of money each year on these qualifications. We can only achieve this with the help of the private security industry.”
Sectors that require qualifications and the SIA License
This new consultation is structured around our six licensable sectors that require a qualification. These are backed by nine sets of skills specifications, which are included in the consultation.
Our licensable sectors that require qualifications are:
- Cash and Valuables in Transit
- Close Protection
- Door Supervision
- Public Space Surveillance (CCTV)
- Security Guarding
- Vehicle Immobiliser.
The current table of specifications is available on our website.
To date there have been more than 3,800 responses to the consultation.
The consultation survey is available here.
