RiskUKOctober2017

Training and Career Development
able to tailor our training courses to the specific
needs of the learner, building the course
content within the context of the environment
in which they operate on a daily basis.
Prior to joining the Axis Group, I was a
commercial trainer delivering safety, security
and medical training to individuals working
within the security business sector. I saw firsthand
how the content of these courses had to
be necessarily ‘generic’, because the courses
themselves had to cater for a diverse number of
people employed in an equally diverse range of
roles. While such training is useful up to a
point, it cannot be said to be raising standards
in the truest sense of the phrase.
Our approach is different. We recognise that,
by tailoring each course and including realistic
scenarios and Case Studies that are appropriate
to a specific role, we’re able to make the
learning experience far more engaging.
Delegates are being trained by people who
truly understand what it is they do and the
environments they’re confronted by each day
when on duty. By making the content more
‘relevant’, we will generate better learning
outcomes and, in doing so, raise standards.
Devising new training
It isn’t just in security training that we can
enhance the content. We’ve found that even in
First Aid, fire and other areas of Health and
Safety, we now have a better understanding of
what delegates need to learn.
We’ve also been able to create new training
courses which were not previously available
among the ‘traditional’ learning providers. We
had a particular business need, for example, to
provide special Bedwatch training.
As a regulated provider, we’ve worked with
the NHS and Andy McCormack, an expert and
well-recognised trainer within this field, to
devise our own four-day instruction course. This
course doesn’t simply cover the ‘basics’, but
goes into the detail of mental health awareness
and conflict resolution training, which includes
the common causes of conflict when dealing
with the elderly, people with dementia, delirium
or learning difficulties and the relevant physical
intervention skills that may be required.
We’ve used real historic data to create actual
scenarios and profiles of people our security
officers might encounter in a typical healthcare
environment. This wasn’t about ticking a box.
Rather, it’s about about taking training to a
higher level.
Ongoing training in security is now a key part
of the job. Most security officers request
opportunities to expand their skill sets. Our aim
is to create a true learning culture across the
“Ongoing training in security is now a key part of the job.
Most security officers request opportunities to expand
their skill sets. Our aim is to create a true learning culture”
Axis Group. For Axis Security, this means giving
our employees the right training at the right
time and delivering it in such a way that it’s as
convenient and accessible as possible.
Identifying what learning and development is
required is fundamental to raising standards
and supporting employees. For every new
employee we conduct a training needs analysis
as standard, but it doesn’t stop there.
We have ‘training champions’ who carry out
this analysis and work with the line managers
to identify areas of strength and weakness and
devise a training pathway for each employee.
They also work closely with the operational
management teams to identify and reduce risk
and focus on succession planning.
We’re analysing statistics from accident
reports. They may highlight spikes in assaults
or verbal abuse, for example. If so, we can
encourage our security officers on key sites to
improve their understanding and skills in
conflict management and resolution.
We also take into account the current
terrorism threat level, working with Project
Griffin’s counter-terrorism teams and the
Metropolitan Police Service to deliver further
training where it’s needed (for example, we
conduct dedicated training around vehicle
searches). It’s important to gather insights from
across the business, our customers and
relevant law enforcement agencies in order to
provide the very best learning solutions.
Adopting a blended approach
To make learning and development as
accessible as possible we’re taking a blended
approach, harnessing technology where
appropriate. We ensure that all licence-linked
training, and courses such as First Aid, are
delivered face-to-face to maintain standards.
This is complemented by further e-learning.
We also encourage our security officers to
embark on regular refresher training. Webinars
will also be featuring as they offer a very
convenient form of learning experience when
used for appropriate topics.
There’s a balancing act to be struck with all
training. At one level, it must meet the
contractual requirements of the customer and
the Regulator. At another, training needs to go
beyond the tick-box with a view to developing
individuals and equipping them with the skills
they need to further their careers.
Duaine Taylor: Head of
Learning and Development at
the Axis Group
71
www.risk-uk.com