First launches Security Qualifications: NOCN Level 2 Certificate for Security Practitioners
First Security now offers the Security Practioners' Qualification to its officers 
Following the launch of First Security's bespoke management development programme, which was launched earlier this year in association with Northampton College, and accredited by the Chartered Management Institute, it has again teamed up with Lambeth College to offer the Security Practitioners Qualification to its officers.

The Security Qualifications: NOCN Level 2 Certificate for Security Practitioners is suitable for security officers wishing to demonstrate competence against national standards. This qualification is an advancement of the security officer's First Security induction training and designed to improve ability, and develop increased confidence and motivation, so that officers are able to perform to the highest standards within the security industry.

To date more than 150 officers have signed up, with the first students beginning to complete the qualification. Of the first to complete and awaiting certification are officers who provide a range of security and concierge services at 10 Upper Bank Street in Canary Wharf, home to the integrated global law firm Clifford Chance.

The Security Practitioners Qualification (SPQ) is a workplace assessment course designed to take six to nine months to complete, with mentors from Lambeth College visiting the officer's site. The training programme covers important areas relating to the day-to-day job of a security officer including: the Law; protecting property and premises; controlling access, customer care; conflict management; and fire awareness, incidents and emergencies.

This programme has been set up under the Government's Train to Gain initiative, so it is offered free to all eligible First Security Officers, as Mike Crump, Managing Director of First Security explains: "The manned guarding industry continues to engage in a major debate surrounding the improvement of education and training of security officers. However, with our own training facility in Kings Cross, First Security has been at the forefront of training improvements for more than a decade, and this latest initiative once again demonstrates our commitment to investing in people.

"We recognize the importance of training, for our officers, for the business and also for the betterment of the service we provide to our customers. We have never underestimated the importance of appropriate training but, with the introduction of this course we are offering additional training delivered in the form of a recognized qualification. We have had immense interest in this programme and hope to see a further 100 First Security officers start the programme in the coming weeks."

On completion of the programme learners will receive a full Level 2 Related Vocational Qualification (RVQ) and may be able to progress to higher level courses to further advance their careers.

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