In this blog, you will know that training is crucial for security guards to prevent breaches and maintain security levels. Neglecting training can lead to vulnerabilities, costly incidents, and damage to reputation.
The blog post discusses the importance of training for security guards and the consequences of neglecting it. Security procedures can be compromised when guards deviate from rules to improve efficiency, leading to vulnerabilities and disrupted cooperation. Training is essential to maintain or enhance security levels. Not investing in training can result in costly incidents, reputation damage, and service failures.
When it comes to security, organizations have many procedures in place to protect their primary business processes, information, image, people, resources, and buildings. Security guards, in particular, from security companies, are accustomed to working for a variety of clients. Although the procedures are designed to have the appropriate security measures for this object, with its unique risks, security guards are also used to bend the procedures a little to make them work a little better. This is sometimes done on their own initiative, and sometimes under duress from a visitor, employee, or customer.
The breach in the security wall is caused by a blurring of standards. Invisible cracks appear and grow larger and more visible.
Furthermore, disruptions in cooperation occur in the security team as a result of colleagues using their own working methods. Services are no longer transferred properly, and information is no longer fully shared. Unpredictability will result if the manager and client do not recognize these signals. How quickly is the security flaw discovered, and can it be exploited criminally?
Training the knowledge, attitude, and skills of security guards, as well as the manager(s) or person supervising the implementation of the desired outcome, is an important condition to ensure that security remains at or approaches a higher level.
Training is a waste of money if it is not guided. However, if an internal or external attacker, criminal or terrorist, exploits that vulnerability, the cost will be many times higher. A loss of life or a disruption in business continuity can cause an organization to cease to exist or to spend the first ten years rebuilding its reputation.
Each trainer is naturally concerned with the return on investment for the company for which they provide training. That ROI cannot be delivered unless the people who have to do it, in this case, the security guard, are compensated.
Finally, training is frequently a waste of money for security guards. He gets the impression that he is free to grow and even hopes for professional advancement. Not always for himself, but for his team and organization.
Following a training is demotivation for the next day. Security guards who have completed training and returned afterward are frequently enthusiastic and eager to put what they have learned into practice. They try to do things differently, more in accordance with the rules. As a result, there have been no responses to their reports or suggestions for improvement. The relapse is more severe than it was before the workout.
Is there anything to be concerned about? These people work in security lines at businesses, airports, and shopping malls to protect our parents, children, friends, partners, and other loved ones.
Is this piece perceived as negative? When it comes to training in practice, it is a realistic picture. In my 30 years of training experience, I’ve learned to pay attention to the following four essential elements for success:
essential elements for success
Pay attention to the following four essential elements for success:
1- The organization must have a clear goal for what it wants to achieve through training.
Having a clear goal for training is crucial for an organization. It provides a direction and purpose, ensuring that training efforts align with desired outcomes. Clear goals help define the focus, content, and objectives of the training program, maximizing its effectiveness in meeting the organization’s specific needs.
If you feel there is a hidden agenda, try to discuss it. If the goal is not the real goal, the desired result is immediately jeopardized and that means loss of time, money and motivation.
2- Knowing the objectives that the individual employee wishes to achieve
Understanding the objectives that individual employees wish to achieve is a crucial aspect of effective training. It allows trainers to align training programs with personal goals, increasing employee engagement and motivation. Tailoring training to individual objectives can enhance the overall effectiveness and relevance of the training experience.
3- Following training, the implementation of what has been learned must be supervised in the workplace
After training, it is essential to oversee the practical application of the learned skills in the workplace. Without proper supervision, the effectiveness of the training may diminish. Supervision ensures that the knowledge and skills gained during training are effectively implemented to maintain security standards and prevent deviations from established procedures.
4- Paying attention to the individual employee in the event of difficulties, with a proper balance of individual and team interests
It is important to provide individual attention to employees facing difficulties during training, considering both their personal needs and the interests of the team. Striking a balance between individual growth and team cohesion helps in addressing challenges effectively. This approach ensures that each employee receives the necessary support and contributes to the overall success of the team.
When developing the training, it is critical to integrate the organization’s and the employee’s goals. Provide a return on investment for both. The irony is that they can’t do it without each other either.
Building trust, honoring agreements, exemplary behavior and being alert to signals from employees are important matters for all parties to ensure that the outcome will be seen in desired behavior.
Cost of Neglecting Employee Training
Final Thoughts
Is it just a security concern? In fact, it happens across all industries. Employees who deliver a service or product are required by an organization. Employees, often under customer pressure, adjust their services, usually in the customer’s favor.
They deviate from the procedures established by the organization. Service that changes due to customer pressure is no longer ethical. That includes not only the security guard, but also all other service providers such as businesses, banks, airports, and shops.
Meanwhile, the customer has discovered that applying more pressure pays off. The company’s influence on their image is dwindling.
Is it a waste of money to invest in training? Yes, but it is mostly thrown away by the organization itself, and not just because of training, but also because of failing to train employees, which harms the company’s image or service. This is far more expensive than training your employees.
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This is not only valuable for the security branche, but in every serviceproviding business. As a manager and employer, we expect employees to continue to develop and to perform their duties well. This is only possible if we continue to train them and support them in putting into practice what they have learned. Also we need to monitor that the procedures are correct and followed. In addition, open contact is important to ensure that the procedures are workable, also for their safety.
A very good article. Stephan is a expert in his field.