Changes to legislation which came into effect in September 2007 led to an initial 20 percent drop in the numbers of security guards in the industry legally permitted to work. The changes also meant all current licence holders needed to retrain to meet the new regulations.
In response to the industry shake-up, TAFE NSW – Sydney Institute is helping many of Australia’s largest security companies meet the new legislative requirements.
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Need to meet new legislative requirements? |
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TAFE NSW provides up-to-date training to reskill your workforce. |
Sydney Institute began collaborating with national security company Business Risks International (BRI) to provide a comprehensive workforce development program.
BRI employs around 400 security staff nationally and the company services a number of high-profile clients including Westfield, Channel 10, BHP Billiton and the Commonwealth Bank. All BRI’s NSW-based staff, some 150 people, will be undertaking training.
‘We have already completed our first class with more than 50 guards trained and up-to-date on licensing requirements,’ said Darren Eurlings, BRI State Manager – NSW. ‘Feedback so far has been really positive and our second class will put through another 50 guards.’
Mr Eurlings said Sydney Institute was selected for its experience, teaching quality and flexible delivery methods. He said BRI was committed to a long-term, ongoing relationship.
‘This initiative is based upon up-skilling staff and providing a higher level of service for our clients,’ said Mr Eurlings.
Training to date has covered Certificate II and III Security Operations. Sydney Institute and BRI plan to offer new recruits the Certificate I in Security Operations (Pre-Licence) course.
Sydney Institute has delivered training to other organisations affected by the legislative changes, with security Officers at the Reserve Bank of Australia and the NSW Crime Commission undergoing Certificate II and III in Security Operations training as well.
Ted Hammond, Site Manager, Security, Reserve Bank of Australia, said TAFE NSW was selected to deliver the training because it was a competent, reputable and approved organisation.
