Skills for Growth programme expands offer to security staff

New training programmes for security staff are set to lunch as part of further expansion of Greater Manchester’s Skills for Growth programme.

New Generation Training and Consultancy (NGTC) have been awarded £300,000 of funding by GMCA to deliver bespoke training, designed in partnership with employers, to plug skills gaps in the security sector. The NextGen Security and Events training programme will also work towards keeping the city-region safe, with NGTC training security staff in skills to protect residents attending events at leisure venues across Greater Manchester.

Training programmes will support the leisure, tourism, security and events sectors to give security supervisors and managers working at events in stadiums, festivals, theatres and shopping centres to gain Spectator Safety qualifications. Qualifications will also be delivered in partnership with the National Office for Counter Terrorism and Greater Manchester Police to organise training sessions to educate staff in responding to terrorist related threats.

Cllr Eamonn O’Brien, Greater Manchester’s Lead for Education, Work, Skills, Apprenticeships and Digital, said:

“Greater Manchester’s Skills for Growth programme continues to expand, and it is fantastic that security staff are being given the opportunity to upskill through these fully funded training programmes.

“These courses will future-proof the leisure, tourism, security and events sectors for years to come by developing staff and enhancing recruitment activity.

“Upskilling our security staff will also help to improve the safety of our residents as they enjoy the city-region’s many cultural and leisure events.”

Sacha Lord, Night Time Economy Advisor for Greater Manchester, said:

“Security staff are often the forgotten cog in the night time economy, but are crucial to its existence and the safety of all involved. I’m extremely pleased to see the introduction of these training programmes for Greater Manchester employees and they will go an enormous way to upskilling and supporting this important sector.”

Joe Wooder, Business Development Manager at NGTC, said:

“The NextGen Security & Events programme is a unique opportunity for Greater Manchester employers to access support for qualifications not previously supported through funding.  We’re delighted to be able to offer higher level qualifications to support our sector, businesses, and staff across Greater Manchester with a project that will leave a lasting legacy for years to come.”

The Skills for Growth Programme is supported with funding from the European Social Fund. Industries that will be supported through its training programmes include the leisure sector, creative and cultural industry, construction, blue light services, green economy as well as HR, customer services and the digital industry.