|
What does the
Private Security Industry Act 2001 have to do with Dog
Handlers?
When the Act
received Royal Assent, only certain sectors of the industry
were specified as 'Licensable Activities', Dog Handling was
not one of those sectors. HOWEVER; following numerous
consultation meetings between the SIA and Industry Bodies, the
SIA took notice of our concerns. From those initial meetings,
the SIA convened a number of interested parties and augmented
into what is now known as the 'Security Industry Dog
Consultation Group' (SIDCG), which was tasked with
constructing a suite of National Occupational Standards. From
these standards qualifications that will sit on the (National
Qualifications Framework) NQF will be developed.
The work of
this group has progressed dramatically with the conception of
both NVQ & VRQ qualifications for both handlers and dog
and handler trainers.
Although the
work was instigated by the SIA, there are no immediate plans
to amend the Act to include individual licenses for Dog
Handlers within the industry, but by working together, and
with a three year period between licensing, time is available
for amendments to be made.
As the Act
stands, any Security Patrol (Guard) Dog Handler MUST be in
possession of an SIA Security Licence by 20th March
2006.
To learn more
about the SIA and the Private Security Industry Act 2001 click
on the link below.
www.the-sia.org.uk |
