Officially unveiled at the 10th Anniversary CCTV User Group Conference last October, Secur-Ed’s Level 5 Diploma in the Management of CCTV Operations is a “natural progression” for its developers – Secur-Ed directors Barbara and John Ansell, themselves founding directors of the CCTV User Group and producers of the very first CCTV training programmes for the UK during the early 1990s.
Berkhamsted-based Secur-Ed is licensed by ASET to deliver ASET-accredited training, and has been developing and delivering Level 2 operator training since 2005.
ASET – whose ethos is ‘recognising learning-developing skills’ – is itself recognised by the Department for Education and Skills and the Learning Skills Council. The organisation is accredited and regulated by the QCA, the ACCAC and the CCEA. It’s also an ISO and Investors in People-registered concern.
Operatives ahead of managers
“As we delivered the Security Industry Authority (SIA)-endorsed operator courses around the UK during the latter part of 2005 and into 2006, it became even more apparent to us that, in many cases, operators are now more academically qualified and up-to-date with legislation and policies than their supervisors and managers,” asserts John Ansell. “Indeed, several managers have undertaken the Level 2 training so that they can at least be on a par.” However, there has been little opportunity for CCTV managers to develop their skills further, or to gain a higher qualification. The Level 5 Diploma should fill the void. This is the only course in the UK to have received external accreditation at Level 5 by a nationally-recognised, SIA-endorsed awarding body.
The training programme encompasses the fundamentals of management. It offers an insight into the overall functioning of the CCTV Control Room/Centre, and looks at the various techniques that “enable managers to manage – professionally and efficiently.”
Designed for current and aspiring CCTV professionals (of whom more anon), the programme combines distance-based learning with classroom tuition, thereby recognising the time constraints and pressures under which the modern professional must work. It covers such issues as trends in CCTV management, income generation, problem solving, the upgrading of CCTV systems, management of surveillance techniques, personnel recruitment, training and development and the management of CCTV during a major incident.
The target audience
This course is aimed at anyone who is, or who aspires to be responsible for managing the bespoke systems that make up a CCTV surveillance scheme, the recruitment, training, deployment and management of CCTV Personnel, the development of policies and procedures and ensuring compliance with legislation, (including the Private Security Industry Act 2001), any aspect of organisational planning (including some budgetary matters) and the management of operational incidents and occurrences from a CCTV perspective.
All candidates for the Level 5 Diploma will be required to research specific subjects and then complete a number of Case Studies and other projects with electronic or personal tutor support as necessary.
“The entire programme spans three months,” chips in Barbara Ansell. “We have purposefully designed it in such a way that it’s within reach of the busy manager by breaking the units down into manageable sections, with course work being constantly submitted for review, feedback and assessment.”
Managers under pressure
Barbara Ansell recognises the pressures and time constraints faced by modern security managers. On that basis, the course is not designed to be too intense.
“Rather, it’s intended to enable CCTV managers to develop their professionalism and efficiency over an achievable time span, and to have their managerial skills in this specialist area formally recognised.”
John Ansell adds: “Our clients are telling us that, given the licensing and training costs, they are finding it extremely difficult to afford overnight accommodation, not to mention precious time away from work. They want distance training that’s affordable, measurable and useful for their staff, and that offers a clear progression path.”