BSIA and Skills prepare for 2012 with Bridging The Gap project

09 Nov 09

Thousands of new recruits will be brought into the guarding sector in time for the 2012 Olympic Games thanks to a unique partnership forged between the security industry, central Government and key players in the education sector.

By Brian Sims

Launched at Tower Hamlets Further Education College in east London this morning, the Bridging The Gap initiative has been developed jointly by the British Security Industry Association (BSIA), Skills for Security, Bucks New University and North Hertfordshire Further Education College and funded by the Home Office, the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills and the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG).

The partnership is scheduled to realise at least 6,000 new recruits for the security and crowd management sectors by way of preparation for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, when the security sector's manpower resources will be stretched to the limit.

Bridging The Gap: what does it involve?

In essence, Bridging The Gap provides a formal qualification for Further Education students from across the UK, leading to a guaranteed job interview with a BSIA member organisation and, for some Bridging The Gap 'graduates', the opportunity to assist in the security arrangements for London 2012.

The initiative has already been awarded the London 2012 'Inspire Mark', which recognises innovative and exceptional projects directly inspired by the London 2012 Games. It's hoped that the project will prove to be a gateway for the realisation of long-term careers in the security industry, thereby providing a lasting legacy for young adults and the Olympic Games in general.

Speaking about the scheme, David Evans, the BSIA's project director for London 2012, stated: "There has long been a need to encourage young adults to pursue a career in the security industry. Bridging The Gap will provide the security sector with a new supply chain of trained and qualified personnel direct from their local college. Coupled with this, a new stream of personnel will help meet the security challenge of London 2012, providing valuable support to the comprehensive security measures that will be in place."

The view from LOCOG

Earlier this year, Bridging The Gap was successfully piloted in 14 Further Education colleges involving 210 students. It's now being rolled-out nationally to an additional 50 Further Education colleges, with an overall goal of training a total of 12,000 students over three years and delivering 6,000-plus, fully-trained security personnel in good time for London 2012.

Andrew Amery - the head of security at LOCOG - commented: “We're delighted that the security industry is offering this professional qualification and has had the foresight to plan ahead for recruitment requirements in a year which, beside the London 2012 Olympic requirements, will also see a plethora of other UK events demanding stewarding and marshalling support."

The specialist Bridging the Gap 'Understanding Stewarding at Spectator Events' qualification can be attached to a student’s main programme of study (for example public uniformed services, travel and tourism, business studies or sports studies. In addition, students will be trained to Security Industry Authority (SIA) door supervisor level standards. This will afford students with the qualification required to apply for an SIA licence.

Following graduation from a Bridging The Gap course, students are then guaranteed a job interview with a BSIA member company. The Association's member companies have also committed to providing work experience placements for Bridging The Gap students, thus affording them a further grounding ahead of a career in the security industry.

Training and education in focus

Bucks New University is providing the tutor training element of the programme through face-to-face and distance learning sessions. This will ensure tutors have the most up-to-date and appropriate knowledge at their disposal to pass on to students.

Professor Chris Kemp (pro vice chancellor and executive dean of the Faculty of Design, Media and Management at Bucks New University) explained: “We're delighted to be delivering the tutor training element of the programme. Bridging The Gap creates a career pathway to the security industry that enables students to hit the ground running after participating in a scenario-based learning programme supported by work experience.”

David Greer, the chief executive of Skills for Security, added: "This exciting and innovative project will help to further raise standards and improve skills in the security industry in the long term. A group of educated, motivated people will be introduced to the range of careers available in the security sector. They would have been unaware of these opportunities without involvement in Bridging The Gap."

Another commentator from the education sector - Fintan Donohue, the principal at North Hertfordshire College - explained: "This new qualification will provide outstanding career opportunities and useful work experience for youngsters seeking jobs in what are difficult economic conditions. Possessing flexible skills is key to success, and this is an excellent example of enterprise enabling people to build a long-term career or to gain valuable experience as a foundation for other career paths."

Security planning 'on track and on budget'

Speaking on behalf of the Government, security minister Lord West commented: "The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games promise to be among the greatest sporting events in history. Security planning for the Games is on track and on budget. This project is just one example of the work already being done to make sure the Games are safe and secure. It's evidence of how the Government is working with British business to help communities and young people in the UK."

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Minister Kevin Brennan said: "The Bridging The Gap project is a great opportunity for young people to attain training and a qualification for an industry which continues to expand and has a need for highly skilled workers. With so many colleges on board they will be able to provide a large number of suitably skilled workers who will ensure the security industry has a highly trained workforce well into the future."

Brennan concluded: "We know that there are major skills shortages in a number of industries including security, and with big events such as the London 2012 Olympics needing a large number of highly-skilled individuals, this scheme is well placed to meet the demands."

PODIUM and Skills Active are further key partners in the Bridging The Gap initiative.

Free recruitment assistance service luanched by Skills

Skills for Security has teamed up with ATS Community Employment, an agency working on behalf of Jobcentre Plus, to help employers fill guarding vacancies with licensed security officers at no cost.

The free service can provide employers with trained and licensed security staff in South East London, Kent and East Sussex. Recruits can even be provided on a one-week trial if required.

To participate, employers simply need to visit the Guarding Recruit website (a dedicated link is provided on the right hand panel of this page) and complete a one-page form. This information is forwarded to ATS, who will start matching requirements to their database of people seeking employment.

The people submitted will have been given pre-employment training as well as training to SIA requirements, and will either already hold a licence or their application to the SIA will have been submitted.

At the moment, the service is only available for vacancies located in South East London, Kent and East Sussex, but if there is sufficient demand Skills for Security says it will extend the scheme to other areas of the country.