Back in January, I had the privilege to take a tour of the PSSA’s Sira-approved training centre in Aman. Last month, we gave an overview of the facility and its aims, and this month, we’re going to explore the training offered in detail.

To become licensed, students must achieve the International Security Guarding Award, basic life safety, basic fire support, plus POD, (people of determination (accessibility and inclusion)), and they must be fit, so are subjected to a rigorous bleep test. The day starts at 7am, and finishes at 3pm. Some of these elements are accredited for use in Dubai only, and some are valid in other countries around the world.

We start the tour with Yusuf/Saffiah? XXX, a training manager for the organisation. He works for the PSSA in his spare time in the area of practical security training and policing skills. The PSSA offers a four-day course for technicians, and a five-day course for engineers, with a practical assessment and well as an exam. To ensure students have met the standard, the PSSA employs a a trainer from the UK come over, and he and the in-house team work together to make the assessment. “We give practical assessments and we monitor them, and we have a theoretical test also.”

We first visit the technical training area where students are busy working. It includes an authentic simulation of a control room environment, where students are taught and assessed in the basics of surveillance – how to operate a PTZ camera, and how to spot and track people and vehicles. There is also the IDS training lab, where students learn how to configure a security system.

Saffiah explains: “The students who come to us are already working in the field and we give them the basic training they need. We offer general training in things like cabling, how the cameras work, configuration, etc, to give them a foundation understanding. We couldn’t go through every product because there are hundreds of devices.

“But, we’re not affiliated with any specific brands, we are not promoting specific brands, or teaching about specific products. We teach the basics and assess to ensure our students are capable of installing and working with the products.”

Next, we visit another practical zone where students are putting their fire fighting skills and knowledge to the test. Here, they learn the basics in fighting fire, effectively and safely.

They learn how to use fire hose reels or fire blankets, and how to use the different fire extinguishers. They are taught how to use the equipment under different conditions and scenarios, both inside and outside, where other factors must be taken into consideration such as weather and wind directions.

So, there’s a lot more to consider than someone initially might think? Environmental factors, different types of extinguishers for different types of fire,” I ponder.

“Yes, there’s lots to consider, plus the different extinguisher types – Class A – water fire, Class B – foam, for Class C, its smothering or using the fire blanket to displace the oxygen.”

“And will the students have any knowledge before they come to this class?” I ask.

“No, they are new security guards. They are at the beginning of their careers. So, they start with the basics and after a year, they come again, to be upskilled.

“The training is about assessing the risk, evaluating that and putting the right solution in place. That’s what we try and equip our trainees with.”

As we walk around the various training areas, we chat to the students who are focused, enthusiastic about learning, and jovial. It’s a really positive learning environment.

To finish off our tour of the practical and physical training we are led to the comprehensive fitness centre where students must complete rigorous bleep running tests, also used in police training, as well as other fitness and strength tests.

Final impressions and outcomes

What I am struck by as I am taken through the facility, is the high standard of professionalism, and the rigorousness and quality of the training, as well as the outcomes that are achieved. XXXX tells me that although the minimum pass rate is 60%, many achieve 75% or higher. Only then are they awarded their badge and certification. It’s a strong success rate considering that some students come in with little to no security background, and in five days, are qualified for that accreditation. And training doesn’t stop there, with the centre offering refresher courses to keep the knowledge of its licensees up to date.

The Professional Security and Safety Alliance and its training centres reflects a change in attitude towards security guards and other security professionals, happening in the UAE, and elsewhere around the world. It is increasingly considering them as an essential, and respected, part of the overall security picture across the region. There are PSSA-licensed guards now from all over the world deployed in hotels, airports, and as private security personnel.

Besides improving professional standards in the private security industry, another laudable aim is that the PSSA is keen to offer opportunities to people from disadvantaged backgrounds, this professional training and a long-lasting career that they can be proud of.

For our next instalment, we will talk more about the opportunities that the PSSA is offering to those from disadvantaged backgrounds, and how it is really pushing to open up the industry to the next generation – both young men and women.

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