The Leading News & Information Service For The Facilities, Workplace & Built Environment Community

BBC Uncovers ‘Sham Security Training Courses’

BBC Uncovers ‘Sham Security Training Courses’
03 October 2023
 

A BBC investigation has found that some companies offering Level 2 SIA door supervisor qualifications are running shortened courses that are against regulations.

Some courses also missed out vital first aid training, offered answers to multiple choice questions and asked participants to fill in timesheets suggesting six days of attendance after only completing 1.5 days.

Current affairs podcast File on 4 sent undercover reporters to twelve Level 2 SIA door supervisor course companies. Four companies offered reporters shorter courses than the mandatory six-day length, ranging from 1.5 to three days. 

A Level 2 SIA door supervisor qualification means you can apply for a front line SIA licence, which can be topped up with a three-day course every two years.

 

Mandatory First Aid Modules Missed 

 

One training provider visited by an undercover journalist took an additional £310 fee so the reporter could skip the first five days of the six-day course. Mandatory modules such as first aid, conflict management and door supervision were therefore missed. The journalist was told to fill out a timesheet for the full six days.

Another company didn’t offer a six-day training option at all, but a three-day course. During a final exam, the undercover journalist and other participants were given answer sheets and asked to vary their answers to not raise suspicion.

Picture: a photograph of people sitting on chairs whilst writing in notebooks. Image Credit: Unsplash

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 03 October 2023

Share



Related Articles

Sham Security Training – Changing Practices

Mike Bullock from Corps Security outlines the changing landscape of security at a time of geopolitical and economic instability and how training practices must...

 Read Full Article
SIA to Honour Women in Security With New Initiative

The Security Industry Association (SIA) has opened the call for nominations for the SIA Women in Security Forum Power 100. New for 2022, this annual initiative...

 Read Full Article
UK’s First Store Detective Qualification Launches

Mitie has launched the UK’s first specialist store detective qualification, equivalent to an A-Level. The five mandatory modules include gathering evidence and...

 Read Full Article
New Requirements for Fire, Emergency and Security Occupations 

The Electrotechnical Certification Scheme has issued a reminder to ECS cardholders that from 1 July 2021, anybody renewing an ECS Fire Detection & Alarm Systems...

 Read Full Article
Emotional Intelligence Training for the Security Industry Launches

The International Foundation for Protection Officers has announced a mental health training programme for the security industry this week, focussing on an empathetic...

 Read Full Article
Security Boss Guilty Of 22 Counts Of Fraud

​A security boss has been found guilty of defrauding security operatives deployed at Heathrow and Tesco. Meanwhile the SIA has carried out a licence check blitz and two...

 Read Full Article
Six Considerations for Property Owners – A Facilities Management Perspective

Andrew Harper, CEO at Anchor Group Services, outlines the top things every property owner should consider to ensure they’re maximising the value of their...

 Read Full Article
Switching the FM Workforce Training Focus to Empower Supervisors

Many FM training initiatives focus heavily on frontline staff, driven by immediate client demands, while supervisors are left to learn on the job. Stephen Douglas from...

 Read Full Article
Mental Health Workshop Series Available for Security Sector Professionals

A charity that works with armed forces' veterans is now offering a series of trauma awareness training for security employers. In conjunction with Assist Security...

 Read Full Article
Security Report From Mitie Reveals Key Industry Challenges

A survey of 107 senior security decision-makers shows that almost a quarter are unsure about how upcoming legislation will impact their organisations.   Watch...

 Read Full Article