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PSiRA engages through workshops

The Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSiRA) held a Consultation Training Regulations Workshop on the new proposed security training standards in September at Burger’s Park Sierra Hotel in Pretoria. This was one of a series of national workshops where the industry could engage with PSiRA about the proposed regulations.

The workshop was attended by over 180 representatives from different sectors within the private security industry in South Africa. The primary aim of the workshop was to address nine key points around the proposed new security training standards.

1. The introduction or consultation document focusing on the service providers.

2. PSiRA’s background and the strategic mandate of regulating the security industry.

3. The historical context on training and qualifications in the security industry.

4. The challenges of training and qualifications in the security industry.

5. The compliance aspects.

6. The impact of the proposed review.

7. The transitional arrangements and general provisions.

8. The proposed action plan and conclusion i.e.:

• Draft regulation.

• Pilot: skills programmes.

• Transitional period.

• Professional body.

• Recognition of prior learning.

• Development of qualification.

• The required action, i.e. industry stakeholder’s input.

Training manager, Anna Tsele, opened the event and presented the nine key points, after which she awarded PSiRA’s deputy director, Mpho Mofikoe, the platform to take comments and questions from the floor.

There were four main questions around the proposed training standards and more constructive comments and criticism.

• One of the issues raised was the issue of security personnel having to first apply and pass a Grade E guard’s training before they can branch out to any of the security disciplines.

• Secondly, a ‘one size fits all’ approach in the proposed training standards was a concern. For example, services providers explained it would be inappropriate to address the electronic security sector in the same manner as the manual guarding or patrolling sector.

• There were also questions about who the QTCO (Quality Council for Trades and Occupations) was?

• The ‘delay incompetence’ by SASSETA in responding to training service providers and in fulfilling its mandate is also a sore point.

To comment or find more information contact Anna Tsele at anna.tsele@psira.co.za.

This article was shortened. Find the full version at: securitysa.com/+1116hss29

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