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Training in security programs in Australia ASQA review determines inconsistent licensing arrangements are driving distortions in where training is occurring, compared to where the jobs are and potentially compromising public safety. ASQA has reported to the Minister for Vocational Education and Skills following a strategic review into security training. The review was conducted in response to concerns raised in successive reports by Coroners investigating the deaths of patrons during or as a result of restraint or intervention by security personnel in the course of incident control, particularly around licensed premises. As at 1 June 2015, there were 121 ASQA-regulated RTOs registered to deliver either the Certificate II or Certificate III in Security Operations. These qualifications were the focus of review. Of the 67 RTOs audited, the majority of those offering security training were not fully compliant at the initial audit, with over 80 per cent not compliant with at least one of the national training standards. It is not surprising then that security services have been the subject of significant public scrutiny. “The coroners’ reports raise significant public safety issues and suggest that a number of training and assessment issues are potentially contributing factors to fatalities. The coroners’ findings, together with ongoing stakeholder feedback, indicate that concerns about the security industry, including about the adequacy of training, have been longstanding and persistent.” The review found that inconsistent licensing requirements across states and territories, coupled with inadequate specificity in training packages, is leading to poor quality training and assessment being provided by RTOs, and posing fundamental challenges to ensuring high-quality licensed security personnel across the country.
6 | Australian Security Magazine
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Coroners in several jurisdictions have expressed concerns over public safety given poor training for security personnel. Despite the decision of Australian Governments in July 2008 to harmonise job skills requirements for the security industry, this is yet to occur. The operation of the Mutual Recognition scheme allows RTOs and students to avoid increased state-based licensing requirements by obtaining their licenses in other states and then having those licenses recognised in their home state. Inconsistent licensing requirements across states and territories, lack of specification in the training package, and inadequate content in qualifications are key issues to be addressed. Training courses are generally very short and do not allow sufficient time for the development and assessment of skills and knowledge. Almost no assessment is being conducted in the workplace. There is evidence of learners with inadequate levels of language, literacy and numeracy skills to undertake security qualifications or to work in the industry. There is a deficiency in the training package, in that it does not explicitly address the risks and dangers of restraints and the safe use of restraint techniques. The qualifications required for unarmed security guards and crowd controllers need to be accurately aligned to the job roles. More strategic engagement between ASQA and the licensing authorities would assist in identifying providers of concern that require greater regulatory scrutiny
The report can be obtained at www.asqa.gov.au