The Risks of Undertrained Guards

Undertrained security guards pose a significant risk to public safety and can cause significant financial losses to businesses. Without proper training, guards may not be able to handle security threats effectively, leading to property damage, theft, or even violence. Furthermore, undertrained guards may not have the necessary skills to provide first aid in the event of an emergency. To prevent these risks, security guard companies need to ensure that their guards receive the necessary training before being deployed.

The Benefits of Ongoing Education

Security threats are constantly evolving, and as such, security guards require ongoing education to stay up-to-date on the latest techniques and strategies. Continuing education allows security guards to refine their skills, stay informed about new security technologies, and learn about changes in regulations and laws. Ongoing education can take many forms, including classroom instruction, online training, and on-the-job training. Security guard companies should invest in providing ongoing education opportunities for their guards to ensure that they are well-equipped to handle security threats effectively.

Training Standards in South Africa

The South African Security Association (SASA) provides guidelines for security guard training in the country. These guidelines are designed to ensure that guards are adequately trained to handle security threats effectively. However, compliance with these guidelines is not mandatory, and not all security guard companies adhere to them. To ensure that guards receive proper training, companies should strive to meet or exceed the SASA guidelines. This can include partnering with reputable training providers, implementing internal training programs, and conducting regular assessments to ensure that guards meet the required standards.

Improving Training Standards

To improve training standards for security guards in South Africa, companies can consider implementing a standardized training program. Such a program should cover all aspects of security, including physical security, access control, and emergency response. Additionally, ongoing education and training should be provided to keep guards up-to-date on the latest security threats and technologies. Standardized training programs can help ensure that guards are adequately trained and provide consistent levels of service to clients. These programs can also help guard companies differentiate themselves from their competitors by providing a higher level of service and expertise.

The Importance of Soft Skills

In addition to technical training, security guards require soft skills such as communication, conflict resolution, and customer service. Guards must be able to communicate effectively with clients, employees, and law enforcement officials. Conflict resolution skills are essential for de-escalating potentially dangerous situations, while customer service skills are necessary for providing a positive experience to clients and visitors. Companies can provide soft skills training through classroom instruction, role-playing exercises, and on-the-job training. By equipping guards with these skills, companies can provide a higher level of service to clients and ensure that their guards are able to handle a wide range of situations effectively.