Tamkeen, the labour fund of Bahrain, has reported that 275 Bahraini security guards from top security services providers have enrolled for its career progression programme (CPP) and 82 of them have completed their training.

Those who have completed the programme are now officially licensed to carry out their roles, and are also benefiting from a BD50 ($133) increase in their salaries.

“Security in the modern corporate world is no longer about just doing the night watch and blowing the whistle,” said Tamkeen’s human capital development senior manager Amal Kooheji.

“Today’s security guard needs to be well-equipped with knowledge to handle electronic security devices and also the myriad emergencies that may crop up during the course of the corporate workday,” he added.

“By ensuring access to such training, Tamkeen has not only put Bahraini security guards on the fast track to career growth, it has also equipped them to build on their training and experience to serve the corporate sector better.”

The security guards have been put through a dedicated and intensive training programme with duration of 168 hours of training by the Guards Training School located in Muharraq.

The training programme aims to improve their essential skills and put them on par with international standards. The programme included modules on health and safety; first aid, awareness; emergency procedures; customer care and communication.

The programme is certified internationally by City and Guilds; a recognised awarding body from the UK. Additionally, some of the guards were offered additional training programme such as English and IT, to further their skills and progress towards a brighter career path.

Among the security companies who participated in the initiative are Group 4 Securicore (G4S), Sonar Security, Ahmedi Security Services, Securicore, Batsco, Protect and Extreme Force Security and Cleaning Services.

Managing director of G4S, a security firm which participated in the initiative, Rasheed Al Fawaz said his employees had benefited greatly and that the newly sharpened skills had greatly improved the effectiveness and productivity of the company.

“All Securicore employees who took part in the CPP have benefited greatly in the augmentation of the expertise required for their jobs along with their standard of living,” Al Fawaz said.

“This reflected directly in the companies’ day to day operations and has consequently, improved their knowledge and skills hence their productivity. Moreover, this was mirrored in the substantial increase in customer satisfaction.”

Jerry Lonsdale, general manager of G4S, was enthusiastic about the high quality training and development that the Tamkeen CPP offered to its employees.

“We are delighted to be part of Tamkeen’s CPP in partnership with BDO Jawad Habib Consulting (BDOJHC). BDOJHC has been assessing our Bahraini staff in all types of skills development that will make them of more value to our company,” he said.

“The training programmes have been giving them more confidence in their own work and help them in their future careers.”

According to Dr Ehsan Ghurbal the CPP director from BDO Jawad Habib Consulting, the participation of these companies demonstrated their “firm belief in improving Bahraini human capital to international standards.”

He further added: “A sector with high potential to employ Bahrainis can be made more attractive to locals, and Tamkeen’s CPP has aided in doing that. The programme is successfully training the security guards and awarding them with an internationally recognised certificate.” – TradeArabia News Service