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Security industry training

A notice circulated in May by PSIRA CEO, Seth Mogapi, states:

"With reference to the 'joint' communiqué issued between the Safety and Security Sector Education and Training Authority (SASSETA) and the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) issued on 5 October 2006, all Security Service Providers are again informed that in terms of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between SASSETA and PSIRA, SASSETA has with effect from 4 July 2005 taken over the quality assurance function of all training conducted in the Security Industry.

"In this regard all Security Service Providers are advised that the Authority has ceased to process all new applications for accreditation as from 1 May 2007 to present courses as contemplated in the Training of Security Officers Regulations, 1992. It goes without saying that existing accredited training providers who are still presenting the courses as contemplated in the abovementioned regulations, may continue to do so, until further notice. These training providers are however advised, as a matter of urgency, to ensure timeous accreditation with SASSETA."

Terry Scallan, a member on the Board of Governors of the SAIS and the secretary of the Security SGB, gives some insight:

"On 4 July a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between SASSETA and PSIRA. This effectively transferred the quality assurance function of all security training in the security industry to SASSETA. In other words training in the security industry is now the responsibility of SASSETA. This is in itself a great step forward to provide quality and professional training to the South African private security industry.

"What then transpired is that the PSIRA grades E to A have now been aligned to the outcomes-based unit standards and qualifications registered by SAQA and quality assured by SASSETA. This means that a new system of the training of Security Officers has come about, called skills programmes:

Skills Programme 1: Patrol Officer (Grade E).

Skills Programme 2: Access Control Officer (Grade D).

Skills Programme 3: Asset Protection Officer (Grade C).

Skills Programme 4: First Line Supervisor (Grade B).

Skills Programme 5: Security Supervisor (Grade A).

"Other specialist security training that is recognised by PSIRA and is unit standard based is: Reaction Officer, Assets in Transit, Aviation Security and Special Events.

There is also the National Certificate in General Security Practices on NQF Level 3 level which is a year certificate course for security officers and consists of fundamental, core and elective unit standards. A security officer following the skills programmes can also obtain credits towards the National Certificate.

A Security Officer will through training now have a career path in security.

Another interesting development is that as unit standards for security are developed, PSIRA will repeal the Training of Security Officers Regulations of 1992 and replace the minimum training requirements for security service providers with an outcomes-based system built on unit standards and quality assured by SASSETA.

"Training Providers will now also need to be accredited by SASSETA and not PSIRA. Existing PSIRA training providers will now need to apply to SASSETA for accreditation. This will greatly professionalise security training providers who will have to meet the training and quality assurance of training criteria as set by SASSETA.

"The assumption of the quality assurance of security training will greatly improve the quality of security training and professionalise the security industry in South Africa."

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