“The risks inherent in working in a hostile environment are potentially serious for both employees and their organisation,” explained Sam Mostyn, Training Manager at Pilgrims. “The responsibility for ensuring that all MoD contractors have undergone pre-deployment training rests with the contractor and must be taken seriously. Pilgrims has a very ‘hands on’ approach to CONDO training - we throw our delegates in at the deep end and test them as soon as they arrive,” he continued. “Skill fade is a major problem for contractors, who may have completed their initial CONDO training over a year ago. Putting them into a realistic hostile scenario cold is a great way to test what they have remembered from their primary training.”

Pilgrims maintains it is important that contractors put their staff through regular CONDO training and understand the real aim behind each core module. “Quality training with constant questioning and testing means that BAE staff are deployed ready to hit the ground running,” said Mostyn. Pilgrims’ personnel include individuals from UK Special Forces, Intelligence Corps, commercial risk assessment, security and other complimentary backgrounds. The company’s world-wide team’s training and operational experience ensures an appropriate response in every situation. This experience is passed on in the company’s bespoke training courses. Other specialist courses run by Pilgrims include Business Traveller Safety, Hostile Environment, Media Safety, and Travel Med training.

Pilgrims Group Website

Posted by Kristina Tasic – 26 August 2009