Becoming an Assessor in the Security Industry
If you are currently working in the security industry and are looking to become an Assessor, then listen up. This is how you become an Assessor in Security. There are a few changes to the qualifications that you need, but don’t worry; we’ve carried out all the research so you don’t have to. Let’s start with how things were before the 1st of October 2021.
If you were renewing your licence before the 1st of October there is no change to the usual process. If you registered for training before 31st March 2021, with the old system, then again there was no change to the process. However, if you didn’t register for training before 31st March 2021, then you would have had to ensure you had an Emergency First Aid at Work qualification, that was valid for at least 12 months.
New Changes
Now let’s have a look at how things are changing after the 1st of October 2021. We will try and make it simple as it all gets quite confusing…
Renewing Your Security Guarding Licence
If you have a first aid qualification that is valid for at least 12 months, you will be required to take the ‘top-up training’ (all will be explained later!). If you don’t have a first aid qualification, you will either need to gain one and then take the ‘top-up training’; or take a course that includes a First Aid qualification.
New Security Guard
For new Security Guards, registered for training before the 31st March 2021, you will need to gain a first aid qualification and then take the ‘top-up training’. If you registered for training after the 31st March 2021 (so more recently), the next stage all depends on whether you have an Emergency First Aid at work qualification, or equivalent, that is valid for at least 12 months. Consequently, if you do have either of these, then you will need to take the new qualification. If you don’t, you will need to gain a first aid qualification before taking the new qualification.
Top-Up Training
Are you still with us?! Excellent.
As a door supervisor, the top-up training will take 2 days. As a security guard, it will take 0.5 days. In both of these instances, first aid training will need to be completed in advance, which takes 1 day.
Here is a brief insight into what the top-up training includes for door supervisors:
- Use of equipment
- Updated terror threat awareness
- Physical intervention skills refresher training
- Knowledge around critical incidents
For security guards, this is what will be included:
- Knowledge of physical intervention
- Updated terror threat awareness
- Knowledge around critical incidents
So you can clearly see why the door supervisor training takes a little longer! This will also be assessed by 3 exams. In comparison to 2 for security guards, due to the higher number of training elements that are covered.
Becoming A Security Assessor
So far, we have covered the changes for those in the security industry, or those looking to get a job in the industry. Now it’s time to have a look at how the Assessor training has also changed, in light of these recent updates.
In order to deliver security qualifications, there are a few changes to be aware of. You will also require:
- An Assessor qualification and annual counter-terrorism training from the National Counter Terrorism Security Office.
- An increased CPD requirement (now 40 hours)
- New trainers for cash & valuables in transit will need at least 12 months of experience, gained within the last 3 years.
- New trainers for door supervision, public CCTV, security guarding and vehicle immobilising will need at least 2 years of experience gained within the last 5 years.
Assessor Qualifications
There is one last bit that we need to run through regarding the Assessor qualification we previously mentioned. As a minimum, security Assessors must hold any of the following:
- Level 3 Award in Understanding the Principles & Practices of Assessment (UPPA)
- Level 3 Award in Assessing Competence in the Work Environment (ACWE)
- Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement (AVRA)
Now, this is the advice from the Security Industry Authority regarding Assessor Qualifications. However, as a training provider we think it’s really important for you to know that in order to become a fully qualified Assessor, we always recommend learners complete the Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (CAVA).
Here at Brooks and Kirk we have been discussing these new regulations in detail. We anticipate that the Assessor qualifications required by the SIA will change in the coming months or years to include CAVA rather than UPPA. We would therefore heir on the side of caution; if you are wanting to become an Assessor in the security industry, then opt for the CAVA now rather than having to take both qualifications in the long run.
If you have questions regarding anything within this blog, please do not hesitate to give us a call on 01205 805155 and our team will be happy to help.
Steve is a Chartered Manager and a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute.
He provides Educational Consultancy to the 19+ sector as well as being an Assessor, IQA, EPA and Digital Marketing Professional. When not doing any of these he finds time, every now and then, to write blogs and articles.