• Objectives and background
• Taking over of the Recognition Scheme by the Security Services Training Board of the Vocational Training Council
• Main Features
  1. Exemption of basic training
  2. Familiarisation training
  3. Quality Assurance System for Recognition Scheme
  4. Register of Recognized Security Training Courses
  5. Course Duration
  6. Observation of Rules
  7. Enquiries

Objectives and Background  

The Recognition Scheme aims to provide the public with information on the basic security training courses that meet the standards of the Security and Guarding Services Industry Authority (the Authority) and are available from the market. Those who may benefit from the Scheme include security companies which need to train their staff through external sources, building management bodies such as Owners' Corporations and Mutual Aid Committees which wish to send their guards for proper training, and the general public who seek such training for personal enhancement.

Through giving recognition, it is hoped that the training organizations and security companies providing such external courses could be encouraged to improve standards, thereby helping to enhance the quality of security services. Participation in the Scheme is voluntary.

Taking over of the Recognition Scheme by the Security Services Training Board (SSTB) of the Vocational Training Council (VTC)  

The SSTB of VTC, which comprises representatives from security industry, training professionals and various Government departments, has been entrusted to take over the Recognition Scheme with effect from 1 April 2003.  The Continuing Professional Development Centre (CPDC) (now Institute of Professional Education And Knowledge (PEAK)) of VTC assists the SSTB in administering the Recognition Scheme.  The Authority, however, reserves the ultimate recognition power.

As from 1 April 2003, all applications for registration of security training courses under the Recognition Scheme should be made to CPDC (now PEAK) direct.

By 4 March 2005, the validity of all courses under the Recognition Scheme as approved by the Authority before handing over of the Scheme to SSTB has expired.

Main Features

a.  Exemption of basic training  

Any person who has successfully completed a valid recognized course, passed its relevant examination and is able to produce a valid certificate can be exempted from the basic training on being employed by a security company. This exemption will be valid for three years from the date of successful completion of the valid recognized course.

b.  Familiarization training  

A security company is still required to provide familiarization training to its newly-recruited security personnel who has completed a recognized course. The familiarization training aims to provide the security guard an adequate understanding of the company's operation and specific job requirements before actual deployment.

c.  Quality Assurance System (QAS) for Recognition Scheme  

The Authority has invited SSTB to develop a QAS to ensure that training courses approved by them under the Recognition Scheme were properly run and were consistently maintained at a standard acceptable to the Authority.  The QAS set out the requirements in respect of programme administration, course content, qualification of trainers, training facilities, assessments and course evaluation, etc.  The QAS was drawn up in consultation with the trade associations, trade professionals, training providers and trade unions and was widely accepted by these parties.

Under the QAS, surprise inspection will be conducted, specific requirements for trainers and a prescribed and uniformed structure on examination questions are stipulated, and stringent requirement is placed on documentation and record-keeping.  SSTB has also worked out a warning and appeal system for the QAS to ensure the course providers' strict compliance with the relevant rules and regulations.

The Authority announced on 26 March 2004 that it had endorsed the QAS for Recognition Scheme of Security Training Courses developed by the SSTB of the VTC as a scheme for quality assurance.  With effect from 1 April 2004, an applicant for Category A, B and/or C Security Personnel Permit who has sat and passed a course-end examination, within 1 year before submitting his/her application, of a security training course that has met the requirements of a scheme for quality assurance that has been endorsed by the Authority and announced in a manner that it thinks fit is deemed to have met the criterion of "Proficiency in Security Work" for issuing a Security Personnel Permit.

d.  Register of Recognized Security Training Courses  

The relevant data of the recognized courses are entered into "The SGSIA Recognized Training Course (Quality Assurance System Compliance) Course List" maintained by PEAK of the VTC for public inspection.

e.  Course Duration  

All recognized courses will need to cover the whole syllabus of the QAS Recognition Scheme with a duration of at least 16 hours.

f.  Observation of Rules for the Recognition Scheme  

Providers of courses should strictly observe the rules for the QAS Recognition Scheme.  Apart from the initial inspections when an application is made to join the Recognition Scheme, follow-up inspection will be conducted by PEAK to ensure compliance.  If at any time a training course has declined in standard or a course provider fails to follow the rules, SSTB or the Authority may withdraw the recognition.

g.   Enquiries  

Please visit the website of PEAK at http://www.vtc.edu.hk/cpdc for details.  For enquiries in relation to the QAS Recognition Scheme, please call the PEAK at 2919 1575.

Security and Guarding Services Industry Authority
16 October 2006

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