New firearms training modules from ITA

Issue 1 2025 News & Events, Security Services & Risk Management

The International Firearm Training Academy (ITA) has launched two new firearms training modules to support career development in the firearms industry. The Maintenance Fitter and the Firearms Custodian modules are two-part certification programmes within a larger Certified Gunsmith Programme.

These were designed to address the growing need for training within state and parastatal organisations, the security industry, gun shops, dealerships and firearm training centres. This includes firearm safekeeping, issuing firearms to officers on duty, general maintenance and most importantly, serviceability inspections to ensure that firearms are fit for purpose.

Candidates are required to have already secured a Business Purposes competency qualification before gaining entry into these training programmes.

Closing the firearms skills gap

The Firearms Custodian module focuses on foundational skills, which includes the training of security officers and police officials among other firearms professionals to field-strip firearms, conduct serviceability inspections, and ensure firearms are clean and safe for use.

The Maintenance Fitter training equips participants with the expertise to disassemble and reassemble firearm actions, identify and diagnose broken parts and liaise with certified armourers or gunsmiths for repairs. Maintenance Fitters can perform basic repairs such as the replacement of a firing pin or the sights on a firearm.

This ensures that firearms requiring basic repairs can now be handled internally. Repairs that can be done onsite result in firearms spending less time in a safe waiting for a qualified gunsmith to do a basic repair.

“Security officers are often issued firearms that are either unserviceable or missing critical components, such as sights. This poses serious risks to both public safety and the officers themselves,” explains Andrew Fuller, Master Gunsmith at ITA. “These training modules not only address these risks but also offer a structured pathway for career progression in a field with limited formal development opportunities.”

“Imagine driving down Chapman’s Peak on a perfect Sunday afternoon. As you approach a sharp bend, you press the brakes—nothing happens, causing panic and a wave of helplessness washes over you, accompanied by the split-second realisation that what should save you has failed,” says Nikki Pretorius, CEO of ITA. “Now, imagine facing an imminent threat, reaching for your firearm in self-defence, drawing from the holster, sights on target, a deep breath, the squeeze of the trigger and … nothing happens. Training and preparation can be the difference between survival and catastrophe."

Pretorius further emphasises the importance of responsible ammunition control and firearm serviceability, stating that the new modules aim to instil a culture of responsibility and accountability throughout the chain of firearm handling, management, operation and maintenance.

“We must bridge the gap between the business purposes unit standard training and firearm custodians and maintenance fitters. This is why ITA is setting a new benchmark for how firearms should be handled, serviced and maintained in compliance with the Firearms Control Act, ensuring that all firearms issued for use are indeed fit for purpose,” she adds.

For more information go to www.itafirearmtraining.com




Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page



Further reading:

Highest increase in global cyberattacks in two years
Information Security News & Events
Check Point Global Research released new data on Q2 2024 cyber-attack trends, noting a 30% global increase in Q2 2024, with Africa experiencing the highest average weekly per organisation.

Read more...
Phishing attacks through SVG image files
Kaspersky News & Events Information Security
Kaspersky has detected a new trend: attackers are distributing phishing emails to individual and corporate users with attachments in SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) files, a format commonly used for storing images.

Read more...
Fully-integrated browser AI
News & Events
Opera Mini now provides all its smartphone users with its own free built-in browser AI, Aria, including AI chat, Ask Aria and image generation. According to an Opera survey, 80% of South Africans want AI tools integrated into their browser.

Read more...
Amendments to the Private Security Industry Regulations
Technews Publishing Agriculture (Industry) News & Events Associations
SANSEA, SASA, National Security Forum, CEO, TAPSOSA, and LASA oppose recently published Amendments to the Private Security Industry Regulations regarding firearms.

Read more...
Local innovation driving excellence in FM
Securex South Africa News & Events
As organisations seek cost-effective, sustainable, and high-quality solutions, home-grown facilities management innovation is proving to be a critical driver of operational efficiency and long-term success.

Read more...
PIV-ready High Sec Controller 7000
News & Events
Gallagher Security announced the release of the latest addition to its controller product range; the High Sec Controller 7000, which incorporates all the core functions of the C7000 Standard variant released less than 18 months ago.

Read more...
The impact of GenAI on cybersecurity
Sophos News & Events Information Security
Sophos survey finds that 89% of IT leaders worry GenAI flaws could negatively impact their organisation’s cybersecurity strategies, with 87% of respondents stating they were concerned about a resulting lack of cybersecurity accountability.

Read more...
Lack of optimism for African economy
News & Events
African Leadership University publishes the 2025 Africa Workforce Readiness Survey, which shows that only 21% of South African employers are optimistic about the future of the country’s economy, the lowest of any country polled.

Read more...
Rewriting the rules of reputation
Technews Publishing Editor's Choice Security Services & Risk Management
Public Relations is more crucial than ever in the generative AI and LLMs age. AI-driven search engines no longer just scan social media or reviews, they prioritise authoritative, editorial content.

Read more...
How can South African organisations fast-track their AI initiatives?
AI & Data Analytics Security Services & Risk Management
While the AI market in South Africa is anticipated to grow by nearly 30% annually over the next five years, tapping into the promise and potential of AI is not easy.

Read more...