Training. Corrupt system or necessity?

Kia Ora,

In todays world there is a lot of emphasis put on having qualifications. But how much of it is part of a corrupt system & how much is actually necesary?

This actually comes up because of something a former member of an elite special forces said to me in Iraq.

We had all completed an induction conducted by the company training team & were out carrying out tasks. Word began to filter through that there would likely be a requirement for set formal courses. As it was still been formed I was actually one of the few who had completed a formal course under a national qualifications standard, so they thought would be fine.

But this person said that what was about to happen was a new set of standards were going to be set & every body would eventually have to pass one of the new recognized courses. But the courses would have very little to do with what we were doing or the way we were working in Iraq.

Funny how so many who have since completed these very expensive courses have said the same since.

But it is also interesting that the same happens here in New Zealand. Coming from a military background my perception of what the words used meant were very different to the normal members of my security courses on leaving the military. Because of the hands on training though most picked it up as it was been taught.
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Unfortunately instead of using how that course was run as a template when they discovered other courses were not up to that standard, the powers that be have instead lowered the levels taught at the same stage & added levels in to teach what should be part of the initial training. In other words increased the training requirement for extra cost(either to individuals or the government)which are of no relevance for much of the time.

Now when giving submissions on the new security personnel bill, the hospitality association were concerned about the amount of training required.

Due to funding requirements the initial level 2 NZQA course is four months long basically in a classroom(where as for same level we had right from start added in hands on training & work experience), level 3 is the same with work experience added in & level four is supposed to be work place assessment(something again we had at level 2 stage).
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Now the hospitality association was concerned that people carrying out security in their environment didn't require standard security training.

There they are incorrect as to give a base & the principles of security is the same for all areas. Australia according to a consultant there look more to having their experienced people in hospitality/events security.

But it does not need to be the four months currently required in New Zealand. Many coming out of those four months courses seem to know little more about actual security than when they started.
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The basic training for security should be three weeks with some classroom combined with hands on. Then as you progress you add on more units that compliment your experience.

As it stands at present the system is basically corrupt taking money usually in the form of a government loan to train people who come into the industry with no real knowledge or skill base. Thats if they are allowed in the industry. Many completing the courses are allegedly recently out of prison or have recent convictions so are excluded from the industry.

Some form of training is essential yes but it has to be useful & relevant. That is not currently happening.

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