One in five employers are hiring more apprentices to help them through the tough economic climate, but why? Research undertaken on behalf of the National Apprenticeship Service has shown that there are a number of business benefits to hiring an apprentice. These range from apprenticeships increasing productivity to gaining competitive advantage from having highly skilled workers. Apprenticeships develop a workforce that has both the technical knowledge and the practical skills that your business needs and your customers demand. They can make your organisation more effective, productive and co...

The SIA has set up an online questionnaire for those working in the private investigations industry to share their views. The SIA plans to license private investigation activities and wishes to gather information about the sector. For example, the type of activities individuals/companies engage in, their awareness of the SIA and their thoughts on regulation. The SIA will use this feedback as a starting point to obtain information about the sector before licensing is introduced in order to identify changes to the industry as a result of regulation. Plans to license private investigations were ...

Motorists across England, Wales and Northern Ireland could soon challenge unfair practice by wheel clamping firms through independent tribunals, Home Office Minister Alan Campbell announced today. Members of the public who claim they have been unfairly clamped will be able to take their grievance to the independent tribunals. Appeals will be heard by powerful and independent adjudicators who will have the power to require clamping companies pay back excessive fees to motorists and award compensation. The policy has been tabled as an amendment to the new Crime and Security Bill. Firms will als...

It with regret and profound sadness that Infologue.com records the passing of Jorgen Philip-Sorensen CBE, MA who died on Monday in Switzerland aged 71. A leader and visionary who created so many industry benchmarks that we consider today as standard, especially in the area of frontline training and management development. Never satisfied Philip Sorensen pressed for higher industry standards throughout his life. He founded and funded the first residential training school in the British Security Industry. Yesterday current industry leaders paid their tributes to Philip Sorensen; “Philip was u...

G4S Secure Solutions (‘G4S’) has announced the appointment of Steve Bailey as Managing Director of its newly formed Employment Screening and Vetting division. Steve will be responsible for developing the business into a market leader in the global screening industry. G4S’s Employment Screening and Vetting division enables customers to significantly reduce the risk and impact of taking on an unsuitable candidate, or failing to check the status of existing employees and contractors. Steve is one of Europe’s leading authorities on employee recruitment and vetting and is the founder and f...

The fifth Vehicle Immobiliser Network meeting will be held in Enfield on Tuesday 16 March 2010. The meeting is being organised and facilitated by Newline Securities Ltd with the full support of the SIA. The event is an opportunity for those working in the vehicle immobilisation sector to engage with the SIA and others in their industry. Delegates will be able to discuss and explore issues about the industry and regulation. The event forms part of the SIA’s stakeholder engagement strategy and follows the successes of the meetings held in January and November 2008, and March and September 200...

Security manager Chris Morgan was awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours list in recognition of his work reducing crime in and around Aberafan shopping centre and tackling anti-social behaviour in the town centre. Chris has worked for OCS’ security team since 2002, joining the company as a temporary security guard in 2002 and quickly becoming a permanent security guard with promotion to security manager in 2003. “This is the proudest moment for me professionally.  I’m over the moon,” said Chris.  Since 2003, he has helped the shopping centre win several national awards, includin...

Pilgrims welcomes new Regional Sales Manager Amanda Mathie as part of the company’s service expansion to corporations with Headquarters in the north of England. Amanda will oversee Pilgrims’ development of risk and security services to its existing clients and take control of Pilgrims’ promotion across the north. In her new role she will build within key sectors including pharmaceutical, oil and gas, financial and distribution, further expanding support to Pilgrims’ customers in the region. Amanda has significant local and regional understanding of the challenges businesses face, havi...

AFC Group is pleased to welcome Julie Hulme to the senior management team as Commercial Director. She brings with her more than 18 years security and soft services industry experience. Julie will be responsible for managing all aspects of the sales process within the group. After completing a French degree at St Andrews University Julie began her career in sales at Reed Publishing. She then went on to join Reliance Security, undertaking a number of senior sales and sales management roles including Regional Sales Manager, Shopping Centre Account Manager and Key Account Manager. Julie was respon...

Despite the recession, the number of people admitting to shoplifting has declined by almost 8% over the past 12 months, according to the Sixth Annual Retail Crime Survey1 by G4S Secure Solutions (UK) (‘G4S’). However, retail shrinkage remains a significant issue with approximately 2.4 million British adults admitting to shoplifting goods valued at over £650 million, down from around £780 million last year. Although overall levels of shoplifting appear to be down, G4S is warning that the pressure to give expensive presents, despite many family budgets being stretched to breaking point, i...