SGSIASecurity and Guarding Services Industry Authority


Quality Assurance System for Recognition Scheme
of Security Training Courses
  1. Objectives and Background of Recognition Scheme   
    The Recognition Scheme aims to provide the public with information on the basic security training courses that meet the standards recognised by 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.

  2. 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.

  3. Quality Assurance System for Recognition Scheme (QASRS)
    SSTB developed a quality assurance system to ensure that training courses approved under the Recognition Scheme were properly run and were consistently maintained at a standard acceptable to the Authority. The QASRS set out the requirements in respect of programme administration, course content, qualification of trainers, training facilities, assessments and course evaluation, etc. The QASRS was drawn up in consultation with the trade associations, trade professionals, training providers and trade unions and was widely accepted by these parties.

  4. Accreditation Arrangement of QASRS with effect from 1 January 2019
    With the launch of the Specification of Competency Standards (SCS) for the security services industry under the Hong Kong Qualifications Framework (HKQF) in 2017, the Authority invited the SSTB to carry out a review on QASRS in view of the latest development in the industry. SSTB, after consulting stakeholders, recommended to use Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ) accreditation service for ensuring the quality of basic security training programmes/courses. Training programmes/courses which are developed in full compliance with HKQF Unit of Competency 107753L1 on "Perform basic guarding services for QASRS" and accredited by HKCAAVQ will be deemed to have met the standards required in QASRS. In addition to HKCAAVQ guidelines and guidance notes on accreditations, operators of QASRS programmes/courses should also follow the QASRS guidelines. Accreditation guidelines/guidance notes of HKCAAVQ are available at www.hkcaavq.edu.hk. The QASRS Guidelines are available at PEAK& #39;s website at https://www.peak.edu.hk/exam/en/rsstc.

    PEAK ceased to accept new application for recognition service on new security training courses under QASRS starting from 1 January 2019 while existing course providers may apply for renewal of recognition status of their current security training courses once from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2019 (i.e. a one-year transitional period for dual track accreditation/recognition by both HKCAAVQ and PEAK will be allowed for all existing QASRS training providers to renew its QASRS status at least once with the PEAK). PEAK ceased its recognition service on renewal QASRS courses starting from 1 January 2020 and the validity of PEAK& #39;s recognition for all QASRS training courses expired in December 2020.

  5. New Arrangement for Qualified Trainers under QASRS with effect from 1 July 2021

    With effect from 1 July 2021, QASRS course / programme provider should engage qualified trainers. It should demonstrate evidence that trainers employed are either:

      • (a) Qualified QASRS trainers recognized by Security Services Training Board; OR

      • (b) Graduates from programmes accredited by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications as meeting the standards of “Specification of Competency Standards Unit of Competency 107749L4” under the Qualifications Framework; OR

      • (c) Recognition of Prior Learning Qualification holders with the Statement of Attainment containing the “Specification of Competency Standards UoC 107749L4” under the Qualifications Framework.

    Please note the following :

      • (i) With the implementation of the Recognition of Prior Learning of the security services industry on 1 July 2021, the application for trainer interview by SSTB will cease starting from 1 July 2021.

      • (ii) All incumbent qualified QASRS trainers (“the incumbent trainers”) recognised by the SSTB will be grandfathered. They are allowed to teach the QASRS training programme, which covers the whole syllabus of the “Specifications of Competency Standards UoC 107753L1 – Perform basic guarding services for QASRS” under the QF.

      • (iii) Incumbent trainers can collect a letter from the SSTB/PEAK for the grandfathering arrangement starting from May 2021. The letter serves as proof that the letter holders are the incumbent trainers recognised by the SSTB


      • (iv) The SSTB will continue to arrange the trainer interviews for those applications submitted by 30 June 2021.
  6. 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 five years from the date of successful completion of the valid recognized course.

    b. Proficiency in security work

    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" (i.e. QASRS) is deemed to have met the criterion of "Proficiency in Security Work" for issuing a Security Personnel Permit.

    c. Course Duration

    All recognized courses will need to be developed in full compliance with HKQF Unit of Competency 107753L1 on "Perform basic guarding services for QASRS" with the training hours of at least 16 hours.

    d. Observation of Rules for the Recognition Scheme

    Providers of courses should strictly observe the rules for the QASRS. If at any time an operator and/or its learning programme is no longer competent to meet the standards and/or objectives as claimed, HKCAAVQ may vary/withdraw the accreditation report.

  7. 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. https://www.peak.edu.hk/exam/en/qas.

  8. Enquiries

    For enquiries in relation to the QASRS, please call the PEAK at 2919 1575. Enquiries related to accreditation service of HKCAAVQ, please call 3658 0000.

Security and Guarding Services Industry Authority
April 2021