Summary
Thousands of people are poised to upskill their ability to prepare for terrorist attacks with the launch of a new Counter Terrorism Policing qualification this week.
The Level 3 Ofqual-regulated qualification – called the ‘SFJ Level 3 Award in Counter Terrorism Protective Security and Preparedness’ – aims to strengthen the UK’s counter terrorism protective security and organisational preparedness.
It has been developed between the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NACTSO) – a specialist unit within Counter Terrorism Policing with awarding body, SFJ Awards, which works predominantly with emergency services and justice sectors.
Those achieving the qualification, which was developed under the working title of ‘Competent Person in the Workplace’, will become recognised in Counter Terrorism Protective Security and Preparedness.
The qualification has been officially launched at the official UK Government global security event, Security and Policing, held at Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre.
The development of the qualification has been funded by the Home Office to address recommendations made by the Manchester Arena Inquiry. It will provide organisations with the toolset to understand and mitigate their threat and risks from terrorism.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Specialist Operations, Jon Savell, said: “Our main goal is to keep the public safe from the threat of terrorism, and this is now a tangible piece of training that staff in security, health and safety, and operational professions can obtain.
“Those taking the qualification will come away with practical tools to mitigate the risk of terrorism to their organisation or business – and by extension, the public. With the backdrop of increasing terror threats, this is absolutely essential to employer resilience. Keeping people safe from terrorism is everyone’s responsibility.”
David Higham, Managing Director from SFJ Awards added: “This is the only qualification endorsed by Counter Terrorism Policing, and enables learners and organisations to highlight the risks posed to them and their premises through terrorism.
“It has the added benefit of being regulated by Ofqual. Regulated qualifications bring with them the additional level of confidence that the course is high quality, will bring consistency to industry, and has real world application. It will enable work-forces to be better prepared for dealing with terrorism issues, and enable them to set up counter terrorism preparedness plans.”
Training providers approved to deliver the qualification will benefit from a full qualification delivery package, including comprehensive e-learning, lesson plans, learner course manual, sample assessments, and assessor guidance, all developed by NaCTSO and SFJ Awards.
The qualification is now live, and courses are already underway.
Training providers who want to get approved to deliver the qualification can register here: https://sfjawards.com/centres/become-a-centre.
Employers can find out how the qualification can strengthen its security capabilities, help mitigate risk, and support its approach to complying with regulatory requirements here: https://sfjawards.com/level-3-award-in-counter-terrorism-protective-security-and-preparedness/infor….
Learners can read about the qualification content and how it supports career pathways in security and related sectors and how to find a course here: https://sfjawards.com/level-3-award-in-counter-terrorism-protective-security-and-preparedness/learn…
https://sfjawards.com/level-3-award-in-counter-terrorism-protective-security-and-preparedness/learn…
In addition to the launch of the qualification, the Counter Terrorism Security Specialists Register will be open to enquiries and expressions of interest from 1 April. The register will become part of the General Security Advisor category within the National Protective Security Agency-sponsored Register of Security Engineers and Specialists (RSES). NaCTSO will remain active in driving the standards for counter-terrorism protective security and preparedness within RSES to maintain its endorsement.
Until 1 April, you can familiarise yourself with the RSES website https://www.rses.org.uk where you can find details about the application process once it is open.