Private Security Sector (PSS) workforce to have “Star Badge” to highlight Trained & Certified status

Bengaluru :  Security Sector Skill Development Council (SSSDC) in association with the Central Association of Private Security Industry (CAPSI),focused on ‘Kaushal Rashak -Surakshit Bharat’ (Skilled Guards – Secured India), organized a 2-day annual security conference,  as part of its national drive to transform the private security sector from an unorganized industry to an organized one and to secure India.

‘’The first and foremost task of the Private Security Sector (PSS) is to establish dignity of its security guards. That is possible through the process of smart grooming and training. It is very important for the security industry to focus on product presentation and quality services. With enhanced skilling, the industry can train security guards for global markets as well,’’ Mr. Rudy said during the Security Skills & Leadership Summit 2016 in Bengaluru.

Addressing the annual summit of the private security sector, Mr. Rudy urged the industry to set up quality training centres and centres of excellence across the country and make the eco-system more aspirational for the youth and security guards. He also said to impart various skills required to compete in  the global markets.

The Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Minister  also unveiled Star Badge for certified private security personnel and honored several security guards with the star badge. For the first time, private security guards in India have been recognized with Star Badge, highlighting their trained and certified status by the Security Sector Skill Development Council (SSSDC).

Mr. Rudy said Star Badge embedded with SSSDC logo and barcode is one step in recognizing their professional competence and skill.

‘’What our security guards need further is smart training and skilling to enter global markets. You must create best quality security professionals who can work not only in India but also in other parts of the world and provide training in language and laws of other countries so that they can function without any hassle.’’

Speaking on the occasion, Kunwar Vikram Singh, Chairman, SSSDC, pointed out wearing star badge will not only make the badge holder trust his inner strength and stand out but also others to trust his competence and skills. This recognition by SSSDC will also increase their salary to Rs 15,000 from the current Rs 8,000-10,000, as per the guidelines of the Labour Ministry.

He said SSSDC will honour 20 lakh security guards with star badge across the country and it aims to certify the remaining 50 lakh security services personnel with required training and grooming in the next few years. The private security sector has over 300 training centres across India to produce skilled security guards engaged mainly in manned guarding and cash services. SSSDC aims at setting up centres of excellence pan-India and increasing the training centres manifold in the next few years.

Addressing the security industry summit, Mr. Singh said the private security sector is the only business sector which sought government legislation to regulate itself so that better services can be provided. ‘’It took 20 years for the government to bring the private security agencies regulation act (PSARA), but not the way we wanted. Many areas left unaddressed and many clauses proved counterproductive to steady growth.’’

He urged the government to look into the issues and concerns of the private security sector at the earliest and extend all required support and aid to make it an organized industry.

The Rs 40,000-crore domestic security services are expected to be doubled and generate 50 lakh jobs by 2020. At present, the private security sector employs seven million people and is growing at an annual growth rate of 25 per cent. Growing urbanization coupled with retail boom and increasing security concerns in the society has boosted the PSS, the second largest employer of manpower after the agriculture sector, would also multiply its growth prospects in years to come.

Noting that the PSS is remained unorganized due to lack of standardized training, assessment and certification practices, he said SSSDC envisions achieving uniformity in the standards of training, assessment and certification in the PSS in line with the global standards and aims to empower the domestic security personnel based on knowledge, skills and proficiency enhancement.

Notably, the SSSDC and the CAPSI are working with the Government of India to strengthen private security forces across the country in line with the vision of Prime Minister Kaushal Vikas Yojna, which aims at skilling India.

Note: News shared for public awareness with reference from the information provided at online news portals.