SIA announces proposals to stamp out security training malpractice

The Security Industry Authority has has announced new measures intended to root out security training malpractice.

Paul Fullwood, SIA director of inspections and enforcement said in an update that the SIA has been working with Ofqual and the awarding organisations of SIA licence linked qualifications over the last nine months to address concerns regarding training malpractice.

Improvements will be made as a result of this work which are intended to provide confidence that those who hold SIA licences have achieved their licence-linked qualifications properly.

Operation benchmark has several key elements, including the creation of a new group including representation from awarding organisations and UK qualification regulators to strengthen the strategic approach to rooting out training malpractice; formalising and improving information sharing with Ofqual, which includes setting out shared requirement and expectations and an increase in SIA inspection activity in response to a rise of reports on training malpractice.

There will also be a review of SIA investigation and prosecution powers to use in appropriate circumstances and the introduction of improved methods for reporting training malpractice for the private security industry.

Fullwood said: "The changes we are proposing are designed to ensure a more streamlined and joined-up approach to tackling training malpractice across the private security industry. They reflect a collaborative effort with the UK qualification regulators and the qualification awarding organisations to address the issues identified with the consistency of the quality of qualifications delivery.

"The public safety role of SIA licence holders means that the quality and integrity of the training they receive at the start of their career is critical.

"We all need to be confident that those who hold SIA licences receive the correct entry level qualification. Combatting training malpractice requires a concerted effort from all parties involved This action plan reflects the robust steps being taken to combat training malpractice, fraud and criminality, which undermine public safety."