Locks and Security News: your weekly locks and security industry newsletter
17th April 2024 Issue no. 701
Your industry news - first
We strongly recommend viewing Locks and Security News full size in your web browser. Click our masthead above to visit our website version.
Security skill training offer
OPTIMA Defence And Security Group, specialists in counter threat security and a trusted advisor to the UK Ministry of Defence has developed bespoke BTEC courses for young people interested in working in security.
Exceeding National Operating Standards, OPTIMA's nationally recognised training courses, which run through Wiltshire College, are open to those on Job Seekers' Allowance.The Government-funded courses include a 10-day Level 2 BTEC Certificate In Knowledge Of Providing Security Services, which encompasses private security industry roles and responsibilities, as well as developing leadership skills, problem solving and teamwork through a mixture of classroom, practical and offsite training.
With close to half a million jobs in the UK security business sector, demand for qualified employees is far-reaching.
It jobs include retail security officers in Swindon to Counter Threat Search Supervisors at national events and stadiums.
Recent student Vinny Zarola, said: "I'd just got my SIA licence, so my adviser at Job Centre Plus knew I was interested in security and put me in touch with OPTIMA. I really enjoyed the course - great, professional instructors who make it interesting, covering lots of subjects in a short time, from customer service to dealing with security incidents. I seemed to get more interest in my CV as soon as I'd added my OPTIMA qualifications, and was offered interviews for event and retail security jobs, as well as an ad-hoc security role at the Newbury Racecourse.
"Only three weeks after completing the course, I had my first interview with Carillion and started working for them two weeks later. I now cover seven sites for Nationwide Building Society across Swindon, carrying out internal and external patrols, CCTV monitoring and access control."
With many of OPTIMA's specialist instructors having recently returned from the front-line in Afghanistan or currently operating as Executive Protection Offices in Libya, Egypt, Brazil and Iraq, students benefit from the way they bring their experiences to life, inspiring and motivating them for a career in the security industry.Their expertise in countering Improvised Explosive Devices and Search enhances the course beyond common industry standards, and also relates to every day experiences, helping improve chances of getting a job.
Nick Anderson, the managing director of OPTIMA Security Training, said: "The OPTIMA training courses offered through Wiltshire College enable students to get a relevant, valuable qualification, helping them stand out from the crowd - an advantage in today's job market."
www.optimagroup.co / www.wiltshire.ac.uk
28th August 2013