Skills Support for the Workforce

Supporting growth ambitions through staff development

A Tamworth-based security company is preparing for increased security measures at the 2020 British Commonwealth Games by undertaking staff development through the Skills Support for the Workforce programme. Pilot Training, who worked with Gold Standard Security Company have been training staff members in spectator safety qualifications.

7,000 Employers supported so far through Skills Support for the Workforce

Gold Standard Security’s (GSS) mission is to be recognised as a business of excellence within the security industry. Safety, security and a consistent delivery of the basics are the foundation of everything the company strives for. GSS owner, James Brown, puts a focus on staff development to support their business services, whilst he also has growth aspirations to position his business as a competitive contractor at the upcoming British Commonwealth Games.

Pilot Training contacted GSS having recognized the company’s eligibility for the SSW programme, offering an overview of support available in the Greater Birmingham region. A Training Needs Analysis was booked within 24-hours of an initial phone conversation, meeting with James to look at staff development and the impact that training will have on business and its employees. Pilot Trainer, Elaine Brady, said:

“James was delighted to hear that there was funded skills training available to further develop his staff in order provide a wider delivery portfolio, whilst be able to maintain staffing resource to provide the level of service expected by his Customers.”

Security is a sector that is highly legislated by several agencies and Gold Standard Security are certified to the SIA Approved Contractor Scheme, with a scope of approval for the provision of Security Guarding. Each year the Chamber Certification Assessment Services (CCAS) audit and maintain the company to the British Standard ISO 9001:2015. In order to maintain compliance with these standards, there is continual investment in license to trade training, such as; Health & Safety, First Aid and SIA.

Above and beyond this training, Skills Support for the Workforce was able to support James’ aspiration to develop his staff in NVQ Spectator, Level 2 qualifications to achieve:

  • General Business Expansion
  • Adhere to the guidance within the Green Guild for Safety at Sports Grounds  
  • Preparation for the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham

With a renewed mission to develop internal staff, GSS enrolled Maria Doyle on the award in Education and Training, Level 3 – a ‘train the trainer’ style teaching qualification. Maria has now progressed to be able to assess staff across various qualifications, providing enhanced support for upskilling staff across the business having just completed the award to assess Competency in the Workplace, Level 3.

To support GSS’s development and growth, Pilot Training will continue to complete cohorts of staff training on a Spectator Safety, Level 3 qualification throughout 2019. This bespoke training package has been tailored to the businesses needs and operational hours:

  • Bite-size chunks of learning are taking place with a blended approach
  • Workshops and remote support with team undertaking assignments to validate knowledge
  • Pilot tutor assessing throughout the 12-week window of learning.
  • Deadlines are set to offer a rhythm and discipline within learning, enabling Gold Standard to develop its own style of delivery once staff members are qualified as tutors. 
  • Gold Standard Security operate 24/7 and Pilot training have taken this into consideration to deliver flexible training that fits to the business needs and opening hours.
  • Delivery of training and assessment takes place in the evenings and weekends when convenient to ensure limited disruption to business operations, and realistic opportunity for assessment.

A large volume of staff members have now completed their Spectator Safety qualification and have progressed to support business development areas which include obtaining the Green Guild for Safety at Sports Grounds.

James Brown said:

“We are delighted the team have achieved their Spectator Safety qualification. They have shown a commitment to learning and are keen to develop further skills and gain confidence from learning more about their roles. This has also led to Learners being able to take more responsibility when at events, including taking part in the search of public entering events, and being part of the response teams when appropriate.

We align ourselves daily to our mission statement ‘securing excellence’ and feel the skills training has added value to our operation. Developing our staff offers us a competitive edge, gains confidence from our clients, who know our teams are highly skilled, and have a commitment to continuous improvement whilst applying the very best of our services daily.

Skills Support for the Workforce has allowed us to develop our teams with bite size chunks of training and a flexible approach that has fitted around our business needs”

The training and qualifications delivered will leave Gold Standard Security with a highly skilled workforce and the ability to continue staff development by ensuring members of the team have formally recognised training qualifications. Staff engaged in Spectator Safety training have gained confidence to support their experience in the workplace. Feedback suggests that the staff are delighted to have gained formal qualifications.