How important is continuity when we consider delivery of training? More specifically, the trainers used to deliver training courses. We feel that it is hugely important which is the main reason why we have made very few changes to the core delivery team over the years. We started off delivering accredited training courses with Brian Tough QGM in 2008 as Head of Training where he remained in post until retirement until 2020 when Steve Heaney MC took over. Over this time both Brian and Steve have been supported by Nick McCarthy.
Course Programmes
When we talk of accredited training, course content is pretty much fixed; as a training provider you must evidence that you have delivered the course content– this is something that you will be audited against at some point during the lifetime of a course, most notably when you begin delivery, but this will continue on a yearly basis throughout the lifetime of the qualification and will be part of the external quality assurance system put in place by an awarding organisation. This is one of many reasons why, when we hear training providers say that they only deliver what they feel to be important, we do wonder if they actually believe this themselves?
our former Special Forces training staff deliver only what you need to know and cut out all of the BS delivered by others
As a strapline on a Facebook post this might sound great, but the realities of it are, that your training provider WILL deliver what is mandated or your qualification is at risk of being withdrawn. Course content is strictly controlled to ensure quality, consistency, guided learning hours and a consistent, branded message.
Branded Message
This is the part where training companies can put their spin on matters and is particularly important to us when it comes to our Security Industry courses such as Close Protection and Surveillance; courses that we are renowned for and areas where we maintain an operational capacity with our commercial partners and our sister company, Argus Risk Management. When our students go on task either for us or for others, it is vital that they represent the brand in a manner befitting – other people on task always ask, “who did you do your course with?” and in this respect, not all training companies are the same. Security is generally a niche subject delivered by subject matter experts rather than the local community college who use trainers who meet the required standard but who may not have enough real-world knowledge to stand up in front of an experienced group and ensure full understanding behind the teaching.
It is ok for training companies to disagree with content, it is also ok for training companies to add in their own bespoke elements (as long as it does not impact on the guided hours allocated to the mandated subjects) but it is not ok to sacrifice what you have to deliver for what you would like to deliver.
Back to continuity
Delivering course programmes as laid down by Awarding Organisations, with the same message, from the same instructors, with a consistent message is vital to us. Our former students will all talk about Brian, Steve and Nick. We get many phone calls asking for opinions on former students because they know that they can trust what it is we have to say. We are not out to talk anyone down, merely to ensure that the correct person is going on a task that is appropriate to them.
