Introduced: Qualification for Level 4 Protective Security Specialist Role
Introducing the game-changing Level 4 Protective Security Adviser Qualification and Apprenticeship, debuted at Mitie's headquarters in The Shard on May 16th! Initially offered as a standalone Level 4 qualification, it'll soon transform into an apprenticeship.
Created in collaboration with heavyweights from The Security Institute, National Protective Security Authority (NPSA), National Cyber Security Centre, UK NACE, and Skills for Justice, this program equips security professionals with the skills necessary to excel across four essential protective security disciplines - physical, personnel, technical, and cyber.
In a continuously evolving threat landscape, the demand for formally trained, competent, and trusted protective security advisers has never been higher. With various security sectors often operating in isolation, effective protective security risk management emphasizes the need for converged solutions. This qualification aims to set new standards for integrated, scenario-based learning and assessment, aligning with national standards and government guidance across all security disciplines, making waves in both the public and private sectors. Experts project over 10,000 security professionals will undergo this training in the next five years.
The evaluation process combines written coursework and scenario-based tasks, ensuring learners aren't just memorizing theories but applying their knowledge in practical, real-world scenarios. Successful candidates will receive a recognized qualification demonstrating their mastery in a burgeoning field.
Emma Shaw, Managing Director of Intelligence Services at Mitie, shared her excitement:
"Welcome to the era of upskilling the industry, making security a desirable career, and strengthening national security capabilities. As the first to deliver this qualification, we're proud to be paving the way for a new generation of security leaders."
The Protective Security Centre, Government Security Group's representative, further elaborated:
"The Level 4 Certificate for Protective Security Advisers is an innovative, revolutionary training program for the security industry. By merging the major security disciplines, this qualification plugs knowledge, skills, and behavioral gaps, fostering security convergence. This is an unprecedented qualification, backed by all three National Technical Authorities, with our collaboration spanning across Government, Industry Partners, and Academia, focused on nurturing the next generation of security icons."
Professor Simon Hepburn, CEO of The Security Institute, emphasized the program's significance:
"The Level 4 Protective Security Adviser Qualification and Apprenticeship add crucial value to the UK's national security landscape. As a core member of the development group, The Security Institute is proud to have supported this initiative, marking a significant leap forward in formalizing the skills, standards, and professional expectations of those working in protective security roles. In our ever-growing complexity of threats, a converged approach to security training has been a pressing need for quite some time, and now, we've set a new benchmark for building national capability and trust."
For more information on this exciting opportunity, visit the Security Institute's website: https://www.security-institute.org/level-4-protective-security-adviser-qualification
Discover how this qualification will empower security professionals to adopt a security convergence approach on the NPSA website: https://www.npsa.gov.uk/blog/news/level-4-protective-security-qualification
Hear MI5 Director General Ken McCallum explain why he's all for this refreshing approach here on the NPSA Youtube account: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLgYv2eGD5k
- The Level 4 Protective Security Adviser Qualification and Apprenticeship, a collaborative effort between leading organizations, aims to leverage technology in fostering integrated, scenario-based learning and assessment, thus bridging the gap between education-and-self-development and the technical security discipline.
- As part of this groundbreaking program, security professionals will not only gain the required skills to excel across protective security disciplines but will also learn to apply technology effectively in addressing the demands of education-and-self-development, thereby enhancing their competence and adaptability in a rapidly evolving landscape.
