Securing the future

"What everyone in the industry should focus on in the future, is paying people for the work they are doing and ensure their food and accommodation is all right," advises Stanbridge.

Another area he thinks the UAE should focus on is enforcing a minimum standard of spoken and written English. "I think it's important that the UAE in the future focuses on English speaking being a prerequisite because it's so much easier."

Guard training

There are two companies offering the security guard training: First Security Group and Transguard.

The first phase of the guard training was to evaluate and access the current level of knowledge each guard had. If the guard passed, they and the company, have been given a grace period of a year or until their visa expires, before having to take the training course.

"The majority of them didn't know. When the evaluations started, most of the companies we evaluated failed miserably," says Nadine Cottman, training manager, Transguard.

There are numerous barriers both First Security Group and Transguard face.

Traditionally, security guards were called watchmen and they were employed to watch. This mind-set is still embedded into some of the guards and the courses are a way of modernising the guards understanding of security.

Another barrier, is language. "One of the biggest hurdles we face is that of language. It is a big issue because you have many people who have been recruited by many organisations who cannot speak a word of English.

The courses cover areas like how to conduct a search, guarding, what information they need to write and when, what they should ask people who want to enter a secure building, how to recognise police, basic first aid and fire training and there's also information on what to do win case of an emergency.

Both companies believe the training is a huge step towards raising the standards of the industry and empowering the guards with motivation to ensure they do their jobs effectively and knowledgably.

"A lot of the time, these guards are brought in and as soon as their visa comes through, they start work without any training.

"At least now they get the basic training. They are happy about that and now have more confidence when they go back on the job," explains Cottman.

The guards are also advised on identifying police ranks, uniform and badges.

Although concentrating on the management training, Bill Wyllie, security consultant, Shield Security Services, explains that the region needs to do more to ensure these guards do their job correctly.

"Security guards are tasked with a huge, impressive range of things to do.

"Some of the guys, they are paid and regarded at the level of cleaners and drivers but when you look at the skills they have to require, you really should explain how important their job is," he states.

READERS' COMMENTS

MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM