Changes loom for private security industry

April 2006 Security Services & Risk Management

Managerial and technology skills training are set to polish the professionalism of the private security industry in South Africa. That is the word from Sammy Samson, technical training officer of ADT, a leading security company that protects more than 260 000 residential and commercial properties in South Africa.

Samson heads a nation-wide Electronic Security Technician Learnership Programme conducted by ADT in conjunction with the industry Services and Security SETA. The programme offers formal training and qualifications in the installation, maintenance and management of alarm systems.

It is a two-year, full-time course with a range of basic and advanced courses. Lectures are given at engineering colleges around the country by lecturers qualified in the field of electronics and accredited by the SAS SETA to conduct the courses.

Practical courses are conducted by ADT at its offices in Cape Town, Johannesburg, KwaZulu-Natal, Port Elizabeth and Pretoria. The Learnership Programme is subsidised by the SAS SETA and ADT. The success rate is high and those who pass the two-year programme are given accreditation by the SAS SETA.

"The Learnership Programme aims to change the face of our industry," says Samson. "It gives our customers greater confidence in our ability to operate sophisticated alarm systems that meet the stringent requirements of the insurance industry for the protection of our customers' premises."

A feature of the programme is that recruitment is concentrated on the unemployed, including previously disadvantaged individuals. The minimum entry qualification is Grade 12 or N3, the 'matric' equivalent of a technical college. "We have a screening programme to ensure that we put the right people into the Learnership Programme," says Samson. "ADT pays for aptitude testing by independent companies."

There is also ongoing assessment of unit standards and course material to ensure that they remain relevant and embrace electronic advances. "We make sure that the courses meet the needs of the industry," says Samson. He adds that ADT's involvement in the Learnership Programme is additional to its own special Training Academy.

Samson says that, although ADT was started in America in 1874 and is owned and backed by the giant Tyco Fire & Security in that country, the courses offered in the Learnership Programme are geared specifically to the security environment in South Africa.

"Indeed, the structure and recruitment practices of the Learnership Programme demonstrate our firm commitment to South Africa and the interests of its people," says Samson. "What we offer our customers in South Africa is the sophistication of a major national corporation combined with the hometown customer-friendliness of a local organisation."

The Learnership Programme was launched in 2002 and proved so successful that, by the end of 2003, 103 applicants had received diplomas. All were employed by ADT. The intake in 2006 will be in the region of 120.

For more information contact Anjula Jagesur, ADT Security, 086 121 2400, ajagesur@tycoint.com





Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page



Further reading:

Tech developments lead hologram growth in 2024
News & Events Security Services & Risk Management
Micro-lenses, micro-mirrors and plasmonics are among the rapidly-emerging optical devices that have evolved on the back of holographic and diffractive technologies, and are seen as part of the natural evolution of optical science by R&D teams.

Read more...
Are you leaving money on the table?
Editor's Choice Security Services & Risk Management
How many customers have you helped since starting your business? Where does most of your new business come from? If the answer is not from your database’s existing customers, you might have a problem.

Read more...
The business value of ChatGPT
Security Services & Risk Management Risk Management & Resilience
Transparency, policy and integrity. It is critical for organisations to have a line of sight into processes and procedures that clearly define employee use cases when it comes to ChatGPT, says Lizaan Lewis, Head of the Legal Department at Altron Systems Integration.

Read more...
BMS for smaller businesses
Security Services & Risk Management Products & Solutions Risk Management & Resilience
Small businesses can also benefit from tailored energy management solutions just like large corporations. Effective energy management is essential for more sustainable and efficient operations.

Read more...
Kidnapping for ransom
News & Events Security Services & Risk Management Risk Management & Resilience
There has been an 8,6% increase in reported kidnapping cases in South Africa compared to last year, with 3 854 cases reported between April and June this year, leaving ordinary South Africans increasingly vulnerable.

Read more...
The difference between a SOP and a SOP
Residential Estate (Industry) Integrated Solutions Security Services & Risk Management Risk Management & Resilience
SOPs are a touchy issue that need careful attention and automation to ensure they deliver the desired security results. Beyond design and automation, implementation is the ultimate road to success.

Read more...
Scoping out potential estates
Alwinco Security Services & Risk Management
When an intruder surveys a residential estate of 200 houses, they see at least 200 cars, 400 cell phones, 400 computers, 200 flat screen TVs, 600 bank cards, and various other items of value.

Read more...
Your face is the key
Suprema Editor's Choice Access Control & Identity Management Security Services & Risk Management Risk Management & Resilience
FaceStation 2, Suprema’s newest facial authentication terminal, is an access control, time and attendance terminal, featuring a better user experience with Android 5.0 Lollipop and Suprema’s latest algorithm, hardware, and software.

Read more...
Security without the skin
Alwinco Editor's Choice Security Services & Risk Management Residential Estate (Industry) Risk Management & Resilience
We all know about the layers of security required to form a comprehensive solution, but the layers go deeper than most consider. Andre Mundell dissects security in this article to start the journey into what is under the covers.

Read more...
Rack-mounted, three-phase online UPS
Security Services & Risk Management Infrastructure Products & Solutions
The new Eaton 93PX 15-20 kVA UPS combines high efficiency with a compact footprint, lower TCO, and improved cybersecurity to provide stable power for critical IT, industrial, manufacturing, and medical applications.

Read more...