Michelle Yungblut

Electronic Security Association’s (ESA) National Training School has launched a valuable new tool to help employers with one of the biggest challenges faced when hiring new security technicians, gauging practical areas of proficiencies. Gauging proficiency areas “Many other professions use skills assessments to verify computer or accounting expertise, for example, so the Electronic Security Association felt with the thousands of test questions we have available from our courses that we would have the perfect resource to create a tool to help hiring managers,” said Michelle Yungblut, Electronic Security Association’s Chief Knowledge Officer. The tool consists of affordable, online aptitude tests, developed with input from industry subject matter experts over the past year and will measure a technician’s skill level on several core proficiencies that employers want when seeking to hire the best possible candidate. Security technician assessment tool Assessment exams are available in general, overall skillset, and in video surveillance, access control, fire and intrusion Assessment exams are available in general, overall skillset, and in specialized areas, including video surveillance, access control, fire, and intrusion. Upon completion of each assessment, employees will receive an outcome report that will weigh the test takers’ skills as beginner, intermediate or advanced. These reports will also show areas of strengths and weaknesses so that managers are prepared to assign the employee tasks that match their skill level and design training programs to enhance employee weaknesses as well as build upon their proficiencies. ESA National Training School courses “We have eight different assessments, each of which is just 25 questions and takes about 30 minutes to complete, so the time needed is very minimal,” said Michelle Yungblut. As with all ESA National Training School courses and training programs, ESA members receive exclusive discounts. The assessment exams are now available for US$ 35 each for ESA members and US$ 49 each for non-members.

ESA’s National Training School announced the launch of its new Training as a Service Program (Taas) at ESX in Indianapolis. This member-only customizable training program is designed with two tracks to help security professionals develop the skills they need to apply at work, both directly after being hired and as they build up to 6-18 months of on the job tenure. “ESA is extremely excited about the TaaS program,” says Michelle Yungblut, Chief Knowledge Officer of ESA. “We always aim to deliver benefits to our members that will relieve pressure points — and strong onboarding and training is certainly something many struggle with. When you can deliver a customizable program that’s going to chart growth for new employees from their very first day and throughout their first year of employment, that’s powerful.” Technician path and Specialist path The ESA Systems Technician path is designed for professionals with 0-6 months of experience and focuses on core industry knowledge, safety and employability skills. The ESA Systems Specialist path, designed for professionals with 6-18 months of experience, features more advanced technical courses and industry trend context. Both training paths are built to include a subset of electives, to make the training customizable to one’s business objectives. The new TaaS program promises to deliver training that is easy to use, easy to afford and easy to implement throughout member companies. With five generations making up the workforce, there is no longer a ‘one size fits all’ training delivery that is impactful. Each generation has its own unique learning and communication styles, and with diverse courses including online pre-recorded and live instructor-led courses, the TaaS program is staged to deliver. Training program created by industry experts TaaS courses are offered through an online portal and status reports will help track student progress The program has been designed by industry professionals to bring the latest in security training and advancements. “The program was created with the guidance of six industry experts who have many years of experience training and on-boarding their companies’ new hires,” continues Yungblut. “They suggested topics that fit a variety of areas which they felt would have the biggest impact on getting their new hires fast tracked to attaining excellence in installation procedures.” TaaS courses are offered through an online portal and status reports will help track student progress.