Leading by example, managing director Mark Harding and southern regional manager Simon Battersby are amongst the first intake of students to successfully graduate from the newly established foundation degree in Crowd and Safety Management at Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College, with two other managers expected to complete the course within the coming months.
In September 2004, the company embarked on a policy to train all staff to the NCFE Event stewarding level 2 standard, as MD Mark Harding explained: "Listening to feedback from clients and working in partnership with them we made a commitment to provide a consistently professional service in all areas. Staff training was central to achieving that aim and I'm delighted that we are already seeing great results and receiving very positive feedback across the board. I'm very proud of the efforts all of the staff have made in achieving these qualifications."
To achieve their training program, Showsec employs 17 trainers across England and Wales, who deliver the level 2 SIA door supervisor and NCFE event stewarding courses. Additional training was provided by X-Venture, who ran a four-day IOSH course which Showsec attended in conjunction with their service partners, including Nottingham Arena, Blackburn King Georges Hall, The Academy Music Group and Hammersmith Apollo. Training with venues highlights the partnership approach Showsec foster with clients to ensure a cohesive, professional approach is taken towards the highest standards being delivered within those venues.
Phil Rogers, general manager at the Carling Apollo Hammersmith, said: "As a venue we have an excellent relationship with Showsec and as a partnership we strive for the best service possible for our customers in terms of patrons and, of course, the various promoters that use our buildings. Another key initiative has been the development of the IOSH training programme that key members of Showsec and our own venue management have been able to take part in to help us manage events safely in the exhibition and events industry, a course validated by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health."
Rogers continued: "The introduction of the SIA has upped the ante in terms of training security staff and Showsec has seized the initiative: staff training has been at the forefront of its operation since its introduction and this has been shown in the quality of staff that Showsec provides.To have key personnel on such courses can only benefit our partnership and the running of our events. Long may it continue."
(Lee Baldock)
